puberty and the menstrual cycle

• at puberty your body starts releasing sex hormones that trigger off secondary sexual characteristics (facial hair) and cause eggs to mature in women
• what is the main reproductive hormone in men and women?

  men - testosterone

  women - oestrogen
• what are the 4 stages of the menstrual cycle?

  stage 1: the uterus lining breaks down

  stage 2: the uterus lining builds up again

  stage 3: an egg develops and is released - ovulation

  stage 4: the wall is then maintained

  this repeats
• what hormones control the menstrual cycle?

  FSH( follicle stimulating hormone)

  oestrogen

  LH(luteinising hormone)

  progesterone
• what does FSH do and where is it produced?

  produced: pituitary gland

  function: causes the egg to mature in a structure called a follicle and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen
• what does LH do and where is it produced ?

  produced: pituitary gland

  function: stimulates the release of an egg
• what does oestrogen do and where is it produced?

  produced: ovaries

  function: causes the lining of the uterus to grow and stimulates the release of LH was holds back the release of FSH
• what does progesterone do and where is it produced?

  produced: ovaries in the remains of the follicle

  function: maintains the lining of the uterus during the second half of the cycle and holds back the release of LH and FSH