the menstrual cycle

• Puberty


  The period during which adolescents start to develop secondary sexual characteristics
• Secondary sexual characteristics


  • Facial hair in men
  • Breasts in women
• Reproductive hormones


  Hormones that trigger puberty, including testosterone in men and estrogen in women
• Reproductive hormones


  • Testosterone
  • Estrogen
• Menstrual cycle


  A cyclical process involving the interaction of several hormones to prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy
• Stages of the menstrual cycle

  1. Menstruation

  2. Uterus lining build-up

  3. Ovulation

  4. Uterus lining maintenance
• Menstruation


  The period of bleeding due to the breakdown of the uterus lining
• Uterus lining build-up


  The thickening and development of the uterus lining to prepare for potential implantation of a fertilized egg
• Ovulation


  The release of an egg from one of the ovaries
• Uterus lining maintenance


  The continued support of the uterus lining in case of pregnancy
• Estrogen


  A hormone produced in the ovaries that stimulates the growth of the uterus lining
• Progesterone


  A hormone produced in the ovaries that maintains the uterus lining
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)


  A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)


  A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates the maturation of an egg in the ovaries
• FSH stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen


  As estrogen levels increase, they start to inhibit FSH production (negative feedback)
• High estrogen levels


  Stimulate the release of LH, causing ovulation
• Progesterone


  Inhibits the production of both LH and FSH