UTERINE CYCLE

Dr.Nawal yousuf
Uterine or Menstrual Cycle

 It is the period during which the oocyte matures, is

ovulated and enters the uterine tube

 Cyclic changes in the endometrium caused by estrogen

and progesterone

 These changes occur in the internal layer of the uterus

Days 1-14
P itu ita r y
G la n d

P ro d u c e s
FSH
F o l l i c l e S t i m u la t i n g H o r m o n e

T r ig g e r s f o r m a t io n o f t h e
F o llic le
W it h in t h e o v a ry

P ro d u c e s
E s tro g e n & O v u m

T r ig g e r s u t e r in e lin in g t h ic k e n in g
Days 14 - 28
P it u it a r y
G la n d

P ro d u c e s
L H
L u t in iz in g H o r m o n e

T r ig g e r s O v u la t io n
a n d t h e f o r m a t io n o f t h e
C o r p u s L u t iu m
W it h in t h e o v a r y

P ro d u c e s
P ro g e s te ro n e

C o n t in u e s u t e r in e lin in g t h ic k e n in g
Ovarian Hormones
Phases of Menstrual Cycle

 Menstrual Phase

 Proliferative Phase

 Luteal Phase

 Ischemic Phase
Menstrual Phase
 Starts with 1st day of menstrual cycle

 Lasts for 4-5 days

 Functional layer of uterine wall is sloughed off and

discarded with the menstrual flow

 Blood discharge from vagina is combined with small

pieces of endometrial tissue
 Proliferative Phase
 Is a phase of repair and proliferation

 Lasts for 9 days

 Coincides with growth of ovarian follicle

 Controlled by estrogen secreted by follicles

 2-3 fold increase in thickness of endometrium

 Luteal Phase
 Is a secretory or progesterone phase

 Lasting about 13 days

 Coincides with formation, functioning and growth of corpus

luteum

 Glandular epithelium secrete glycogen rich material

 Endometrium thickens under the influence of estrogen and

progesterone
Luteal Phase
 Spiral arteries grow into the superficial layer

 Arteries become increasingly coiled

 Large venous network develops

 Direct arterio-venous anastomoses are the

prominent features
 Fertilization: No Fertilization:

 Fertilized ovum implants in  No Human chorionic

endometrium gonadotropin
 HCG hormone secreted and
keeps the corpus luteum  Corpus luteum degenerates
secreting estrogen and
progesterone
 Estrogen and progesterone levels
fall
 The luteal phase continues and
menstruation does not occur
 Secretory endometrium enters an
ischemic phase
 Ischemic Phase
 Decreased levels of estrogen & progesterone
 Stoppage of glandular secretion

 Marked shrinking of endometrium

 Spiral arteries become constricted

 Venous stasis & Ischemic necrosis

 Rupture of damaged vessel wall

 Blood seeps into the surrounding connective tissues

Changes in the Uterus:

Stage 2 Day 5- 13 pre-

Stage 1- Day 1-5 ovulatory stage Stage 3 Day 14
menstruation Ovulation

Stage 4 Day 15-28 post-

ovulatory stage