Adapted from: Puberty: Understanding Your Changing

Body. SexualityandU.ca, 2010

Menstrual cycle
=beginning of menstruation to the beginning of the
next menstruation.
Average menstrual cycle-28 days
Average menstrual period- 5 days
Normal blood loss 50 cc/1/4 cup accompanied by
FIBRINOLYSIS-prevent clot formation.
Biology and the Menstrual Cycle

• Menstrual cycle is regulated by fluctuating

levels of sex hormones
 These hormones produce certain changes in
the ovaries and uterus
 Humans are nearly unique among species in
having a menstrual cycle

Basic terms
Endometrium: Lining of the uterus
Oocyte: Developing reproductive cell
Ovum: Mature egg after meiosis
Menopause: Last menstrual cycle, afterwhich egg
production stops( cessation of menstruation,average
age is 51)
Amenorrhea= absence of menstruation
Menarche = first menstruation
Dysmenorrhea =painful menstruation
Metorrhagia bleeding in between menstruation
Menorrhagia =excessive bleeding during
menstruation
4 phases of menstrual cycle
Uterine Phases
Menstrual flow
Proliferative
Secretory
Ischemic
1.PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
=during this time the ovarian follicle is maturing and
secreting estrogen and this phase is completed by the
rupture of the follicle and liberation of the egg.
2.SECRETORY PHASE
 =this is when the endometrium increases in
thickness, during this time the corpus luteum in an
overy is developin and secreting progesterone and
last s about 15-26 days
3. ISCHEMIC PHASE
=if pregnancy has not occurred, menstruation
beginning with the flow of menstrual fluid will occur
which may occur by 27 to 28 day.
4.MENSTRUATION
=is the period of uterine bleeding and shedding of the
endometrium and lasts an average of 4-5 days
When FSH levels are low what is the size of
the follicle
It is shrinking and
disappearing while a
new set is growing
During which days of the cycle is FSH at its
lowest?
FSH: follicle stimulating hormones is at its lowest
during the last days of the cycle
Hormones and What Happens in
the Ovaries
• Luteal phase - after releasing an egg, the follicle turns
into the corpus luteum
– The corpus luteum manufactures progesterone
• Menstruation - shedding of the inner lining of the
uterus
Other Cyclic Changes
Two other physiological processes fluctuate
with the menstrual cycle:
– The cervical mucus cycle
– The basal body temperature cycle
During which days of the cycle is FSH at its
lowest?
FSH: follicle stimulating hormones is at its lowest
during the last days of the cycle
Fluctuations in Performance
• Research on intellectual or athletic
performance generally shows no
fluctuations over the cycle
• Research on academic performance,
problem solving, memory, or creative
thinking shows no fluctuations over the
cycle
What Causes the Fluctuations in
Mood
Biological factors
– Fluctuations in levels of hormones
• Environmental factors
– Menstrual taboos and cultural expectations