Menstrual Cycle

• Menstrual Cycle Phases

  • Menstrual
  • Follicular
  • Ovulation
  • Luteal
• Menstrual Phase


  The phase where the uterus sheds its inner lining of soft tissue and blood vessels which will soon exist in the body.
• Blood loss of 10 ml to 80 ml is considered normal
• Cramps


  These are caused by the contraction of the uterine and the abdominal muscles to expel the menstrual fluid.
• The official start of the cycle is the first day of the menstrual phase (period). A period usually lasts around 3-7 days
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)


  Hormonal flushes that causes changes in mood.
• Follicular Phase

  A phase where estrogen starts to send signals that the lining of the uterus should thicken and develop to prepare for a fertilized egg.
• Pituitary Gland


  A "master gland" that regulates bodily functions through hormones
• Pituitary gland starts to secrete a hormone that stimulates the egg cells in the ovaries to grow during the follicular phase.
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)


  A hormone that stimulates ovarian follicles to grow.
• It takes 13 days for the egg cell to reach maturity inside a follicle (sac-like structure).
• Follicular Phase


  During this phase, you will notice more discharge (cervical mucus)
• Progesterone


  The hormone that thickens the lining of endometrium in the uterus
• Cervical Mucus


  A white blood/discharge that plays a role in conception:

  • Slippery/egg white = Most fertile time
  • Thick and dry = Not fertile
• Ovulation Phase


  The phase where the follicle will rupture and release the egg onto the fallopian tube.
• Ovulation usually occurs on day 14
• Ovulation Phase


  The phase where there is a surge in estrogen which triggers a spike in a third hormone - the luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)


  The hormone that makes the follicle rupture and release the egg
• The ruptured follicle stays on the surface of the ovary. For the next two weeks or so, the follicle transforms into a corpus luteum.
• Corpus Luteum


  A structure that would start releasing progesterone and small amounts of estrogen during the luteal phase.
• A fertilized egg would produce hormones that maintain the corpus luteum when it implants itself in the lining of the uterus.
• Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)


  A hormone that stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone to maintain pregnancy. This is detected in pregnancy tests.
• The corpus luteum withers and dies at day 22 of the cycle if pregnancy does not occur.