Puberty and the Menstrual Cycle

• What do sex hormones do?

  Trigger secondary sexual characteristics
• What is an example of a secondary sexual characteristic in men?

  Facial hair
• What is an example of a secondary sexual characteristic in women?

  Breasts
• When does the body start releasing sex hormones?


  Puberty
• What is the main reproductive hormone in men?

  Testosterone
• What produces testosterone?


  The testes
• What does testosterone do?

  Stimulates sperm production
• What is the main reproductive hormone in women?

  Oestrogen
• What produces oestrogen?


  The ovaries
• What does oestrogen do?

  Causes physical changes and is involved in the menstrual cycle
• How many stages does the menstrual cycle have?

  4
• What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle?

  The lining of the uterus breaks down
• What is stage 2 of the menstrual cycle?

  The lining of the uterus builds up
• What is stage 3 of the menstrual cycle?


  The egg is released
• What is stage 4 of the menstrual cycle?

  The lining of the uterus is maintained
• How long does stage 1 of the menstrual cycle last?

  4 days
• What is the uterus lining?

  A thick spongy layer full of blood vessels
• How long does stage 2 of the menstrual cycle last?

  10 days
• On what day of the menstrual cycle is the egg released?

  Day 14
• What is the process in which an egg develops and is released from the ovary?

  Ovulation
• How long is stage 4 of the menstrual cycle?

  14 days
• What 4 hormones control the menstrual cycle?

  • Oestrogen
  • FSH or Follicle-stimulating hormone
  • Progesterone
  • LH or Luteinising hormone
• Where is FSH produced?

  The pituitary gland
• Where is LH produced?

  The pituitary gland
• Where is progesterone produced?

  Produced in the ovaries by the remains of the follicle
• What does oestrogen do?

  • Causes the uterus lining to grow
  • Stimulates the release of LH
  • Inhibits the release of FSH
• What does FSH do?

  • Causes an egg to mature in an ovary inside a structure called a follicle
  • Stimulates the production of oestrogen
• What does progesterone do?

  • Maintains the lining of the uterus
  • Inhibits the release of LH and FSH
• What does LH do?

  • Stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary