Menstruation Yr10

Ref: http://9e.devbio.com/article.php?id=275 (Accessed 2013)

The graphs below show the changes in the hormone levels, ovarian cycle and uterine
cycle in a human female.
http://www.sportsmd.com/SportsMD_Articles/id/309/n/birth_control_and_the_female_athlete.aspx

The Menstrual Cycle

Girls get their first period (menarche), on average, between the ages of 11 and 14. By this stage, other
sexual characteristics have usually developed, such as pubic hair and budding breasts.

Hormones and the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is complex and controlled by many different glands and the hormones they
produce. A brain structure called the hypothalamus causes the nearby pituitary gland to produce
certain chemicals, which prompt the ovaries to produce the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

The menstrual cycle is a biofeedback system, which means each structure and gland is affected by the
activity of the others. The four main phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the follicular
phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.
Menstruation

Menstruation is the elimination of the thickened lining of the uterus (endometrium) from the body
through the vagina. Menstrual fluid contains blood, cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrial
cells) and mucus. The average length of a period is between three days and one week, depending on
the individual.

Sanitary pads or tampons are used to absorb the menstrual flow. Both pads and tampons need to be
changed regularly (at least every four hours). Using tampons has been associated with an increased
risk of a rare illness called toxic shock syndrome.

Follicular phase

The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and ends with ovulation. Prompted by the
hypothalamus, the pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone
stimulates the ovary to produce around five to 20 follicles (tiny nodules or cysts), which bead on the
surface.

Each follicle houses an immature egg. Usually, only one follicle will mature into an egg, while the
others die. This can happen at around day 10 of a 28-day cycle. The growth of the follicles stimulates
the lining of the uterus to thicken in preparation for possible pregnancy.

Ovulation

Ovulation means the release of a mature egg from the ovary’s surface. This generally happens at mid-
cycle, around two weeks or so before menstruation starts. During the follicular phase, the developing
follicle causes a rise in the level of oestrogen. The hypothalamus in the brain recognises these rising
levels and releases a chemical called gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone
prompts the pituitary gland to produce raised levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and FSH.

Within two days, ovulation is triggered by the high levels of LH. The egg is funnelled into the
fallopian tube and towards the uterus by waves of small, hair-like projections. The life span of the
typical egg is only around 24 hours. Unless it meets a sperm during this time, it will die.

Luteal phase

During ovulation, the egg bursts from its follicle, but the ruptured follicle stays on the surface of the
ovary. For the next two weeks or so, the follicle transforms into a structure known as the corpus
luteum. This structure starts releasing progesterone, along with small amounts of oestrogen. This
combination of hormones maintains the thickened lining of the uterus, awaiting a fertilised egg to stick
(implant).

If a fertilised egg implants in the lining of the uterus, it produces hormones (including human
chorionic gonadotrophin, the hormone that is detected in a urine test for pregnancy) that are necessary
to maintain the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum keeps producing raised levels of progesterone that
are needed to maintain the thickened lining of the uterus.

If pregnancy doesn’t happen, the corpus luteum withers and dies, usually around day 22 in a 28-day
cycle. The drop in progesterone levels causes the lining of the uterus to fall away. This is known as
menstruation. The cycle then repeats.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Menstrual_cycle info about menstrual cycle
QUESTIONS ON THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE – Year 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXrQ_FhZmos Menstruation
https://youtu.be/Vl2wRbO8LZU?si=MBxZsYeoPuiJhkVA The menstrual cycle, Fuseschool
https://youtu.be/Is1LOacgWkc?si=VVuZ-kW5w3kINZrj Menstrual cycle, 3D animation
1. When does day 1 of a menstrual cycle occur?
2. About how long is a menstrual cycle?
3. Name the phases of the menstrual cycle.
4. What does menstrual fluid consist of?
5. How long does the average ‘period’ last?
6. What is another name for the lining of the uterus?
7. Name 4 hormones linked to the menstrual cycle and state what each one controls.
8. What is FSH and what causes it to be produced and what does it do?
9. What are follicles and what do they do?
10. Where is the egg produced?
11. What is ovulation and when does ovulation occur?
12. Describe the levels of oestrogen and progesterone
a. at the beginning of the cycle and
b. at ovulation.
c. After ovulation and before the next period.
13. What triggers the release of the mature egg?
14. How does the egg get to the uterus?
15. How long does an egg live for?
16. What is the corpus luteum and what does it do?
17. What causes the uterus lining to fall away?
18. How do the hormone levels change if there is a pregnancy?
EXTENSION:
19. Draw a table to show what happens to the egg, uterus and corpus luteum if the egg;
a. Is fertilised?
b. Is not fertilised?
20. Draw up a table to show what happens to the levels of oestrogen, progesterone. LH,
FSH, uterus lining, temperature in a menstrual cycle.
21. What hormone is tested for pregnancy in a urine test?
22. Find out about one health problem related to the menstrual cycle.
http://

inaniloquence.hubpages.com/hub/ThePhasesofMenstrualCycle