Hormones & the Menstrual Cycle Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What are the main stages of the menstrual cycle?

e.g. in a 28-day cycle

1. Days 1–5: menstruation — the uterus lining breaks down and is lost.
2. Days 5–14: oestrogen repairs and thickens the uterus lining.
3. Day 14: ovulation — an egg is released; progesterone then maintains the lining.

Which hormone does the pituitary gland release at the start of the menstrual cycle, and what does it do?

FSH; it causes an egg to mature in a follicle in the ovary and stimulates the ovaries to release oestrogen.

Which hormone surges sharply just before ovulation, and what causes the surge?

LH, released from the pituitary gland; the surge is caused by high levels of oestrogen, and LH causes the egg to be released.

Which structure produces progesterone after ovulation, and what does the progesterone do?

The corpus luteum; progesterone maintains the lining of the uterus and inhibits FSH and LH.

Why does the FSH level start to rise again at the end of a menstrual cycle in which no pregnancy occurs?

The progesterone level falls, so FSH is no longer inhibited and can increase, starting the next cycle.