MCQ ON MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Q. 1. The average length of the cycle in an adult female?

a) 26 days b) 28 days c) 30 days

Q.2. Which of the following statements are true about menstruation?

a) In a normal 28 day menstrual cycle you would expect menstruation to
last approximately 3-5 days.
b) During menstruation the entire endometrium is shed.
c) During menstruation only the functional layer of the endometrium is
shed, with the basal layer remaining intact.
d) Absence of menstruation always indicates an active pregnancy
Explanation: An increase in a women's basal body temperature occurs due to the
LH surge. As a result the rise in body temperature indicates that ovulation is likely
to occur in the next 24-48 hours. The cervical mucous also becomes thinner around
the time of ovulation to allow easier passage of sperm

Q.3. During the menstrual phase the which layer of the endometrium is shed?
a) Stratum basalis c) Stratum compactum
b) Stratum functionalis d) Myometrium

Q.4. Which of the following symptoms do women commonly experience

during the menstrual cycle?
a) Abdominal pain and Nausea c) Widespread vesicular rash
b) Irritability d) Photophobia
Explanation: There are a large number of symptoms which women can experience
during the menstrual cycle. This is attributed to the flux of the various sex
hormones throughout the cycle. Each women is affected differently with symptoms
ranging from very mild to incredibly debilitating.
Q. 5. At which point in the menstrual cycle is a women most fertile?
a) Days 1-5 b) Days 9-16
c) Days 17-21 d) Days 22-28
Explanation:The most fertile period of the menstrual cycle is from 5 days before
ovulation to 1-2 days after. Couples often use this knowledge to increase their
chances of conception.

Q.6. Where is gonadotrophin-releasing hormone produced?

a) Anterior pituitary c) Hypothalamus
b) Posterior pituitary d) Adrenal glands

Q.7. Where are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH) produced?
a) Hypothalamus c) Posterior pituitary
b) Anterior pituitary d) Adrenal glands

Q.8. Which hormone is released from the anterior pituitary gland and
stimulates the follicles in the ovary to mature?
a) Progesterone c) Estrogen
b) Follicle-stimulating hormone d) Human chorionic gonadotropin

Q.9. Which of the following are functions of luteinizing hormone (LH)?

a) Formation and maintenance of the corpus luteum
b) Thinning of the graafian follicles membrane
c) Stimulation of follicle development
d) Stimulation of GnRH production
e) Thickening the endometrium layer for implantation
Q.10. Which hormone is the corpus luteum responsible for producing?
a) Oestrogen c) Follicle Stimulating Hormone
b) Progesterone d) Luteinizing hormone
Explanation: The corpus luteum produces progesterone which causes the
endometrium to become receptive to implantation of a blastocyst and prevents
menstruation occurring.

Q.11. Select all the following that is NOT a function of progesterone and
estrogen:
a) Inhibits the production of LH and FSH
b) Causes the hypothalamus to release gonadotropin releasing hormone
c) Maintains the endometrium for pregnancy
d) Causes the follicle to mature into a graafian follicle

Q.12. Which of the following are functions of progesterone?

a) Inhibition of oestrogen production
b) Stimulation of oestrogen production
c) Initiation of the secretory phase of the endometrium
d) Inhibition of LH and FSH production
e) Increase in basal body temperature
Explanation:Progesterone is involved in many different processes during the
menstrual cycle. It causes increased production of oestrogen and causes the
endometrium to become more receptive to implantation of a fertilised ovum. It also
inhibits production of LH and FSH via negative feedback.

Q.13. At which stage of the uterine cycle does the menstrual phase occur?
a) Days 1-5 b) Days 5-14 c) Days 14-28
Explanation:The menstrual phase occurs at the very beginning of the uterine
cycle. It only occurs if no ovum is fertilised. The process begins with the
breakdown of the corpus luteum which therefore ceases to produce progesterone.
The loss of progesterone causes vasoconstriction of the spiral arteries supplying the
functional layer of the endometrium. As a result it becomes necrotic and is then
lost through the vagina causing the 3-5 days of bleeding.

Q.14. At which stage in the uterine cycle does the proliferative phase occur?
a) Days 1-5 b) Days 5-14 c) Days 15-2
Explanation: The proliferative phase begins immediately after the menstrual
phase and involves increased levels of oestrogen driving repair and growth of the
functional endometrial layer.

Q. 15. What hormone increases in the follicular phase?

a) Estrogen c) Testosterone
b) Ostriches d) Progesterone

Q.16. During which stage of the menstrual cycle does the endometrium layer
thicken?
a) Secretory Phase c) Ovulation Phase
b) Luteal Phase d) Proliferative Phase

Q.17. Which of the following are effects of increased levels of oestrogen in the
follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?
a) Hair thinning
b) Thickening of cervical mucous
c) Thinning of cervical mucous
d) Thickening of the endometrium
Explanation: In the follicular phase oestrogen functions to increases chances of
successful fertilisation. As a result in causes the mucous of the cervix to become
much thinner allowing easier passage of sperm. It also causes thickening of the
endometrium to increases chances of successful implantation of a blastocyst.

Q.18. In a normal 28 day menstrual cycle when would you expect the LH
surge to occur?
a) Days 8-10 c) Days 14-16
b) Days 11-13 d) Days 17-19
Explanation: The LH surge usually occurs on day 12. This occurs due to
oestrogen levels reaching a high level which stimulates large amounts of LH
production. The high LH levels cause the membrane of the Graafian follicle to
become thin. As a result 24-48 hours after the LH surge ovulation usually occurs
due to the rupture of the graafian follicle.

Q.19. Which of the following symptoms indicate that a women is about to

ovulate?
a) Decrease in basal body temperature
b) Increase in basal body temperature
c) Thickening of cervical mucous
d) Thinning of cervical mucous
Explanation:An increase in a women's basal body temperature occurs due to the
LH surge. As a result the rise in body temperature indicates that ovulation is likely
to occur in the next 24-48 hours. The cervical mucous also becomes thinner around
the time of ovulation to allow easier passage of sperm.
Q.20. Which statement is TRUE about the ovulation phase?
a) The newly released egg will live for 72 hours and disintegrate if not
fertilized.
b) The woman will have a low basal body temperature before ovulation
and then a temperature increase of 0.4-1’F degrees around ovulation.
c) The ovum is directly released into the fallopian tube.
d) Fertilization most commonly occurs at the fimbria.

Q.21. If the ovum is to be fertilized, where is the most common site of

fertilization?
a) Uterine wall c) Ampulla of the Fallopian Tube
b) Fimbria d) Isthmus of the Fallopian Tube

Q.22. In which stage does the corpus luteum form?

a) Luteal Phase c) Proliferative Phase
b) Follicular Phase d) None of the above

Q.23. If pregnancy does not occur; the corpus luteum will disintegrate and
turn into which structure?
a) Corpus Albicans c) Corpus Cavernosum
b) Corpus Callosum d) Corpus Allatum

Q.24. At which stage in the uterine cycle does the secretory phase occur?
a) Days 1-5 b) Days 5-14 c) Days 14-28
Explanation: The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle begins after ovulation
when the ruptured graafian follicle develops into the corpus luteum. The corpus
luteum produces progesterone which causes the endometrium to begin secreting
various substances which make the uterus more receptive to implantation of a
fertilised ovum.

Q.25. Increased glycogen and lipid deposits are part of which phase of
menstrual cycle?
a) Menstrual phase c) Secretory phase
b) Proliferative phase
Explanation: In secretory phase endometrium it begins secreting various
substances like glycogen and lipids which make the uterus more receptive to
implantation of a fertilised ovum.