Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region 02 (Cagayan Valley)
Schools Division Office of Isabela
Tumauini North District

300610-REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL for REGION 02

Camp Samal, Arcon, Tumauini, Isabela 3325

THE
MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
Edward Vallejo Ganggang, RN, LPT
Teacher in Biological Science
WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
 The process in which females ripen or release
one mature egg.
 The average menstrual cycle will repeat itself
about every 28 days, but normal menstrual
cycles can range from 21 to 40 days.
OOGENESIS: BEFORE BIRTH
 During fetal development,
oogonia (stem cells) divide
by mitosis to make primary
oocytes
 Primary oocytes begin
meiosis and stop in
prophase I until puberty
 Primordial follicles: Support
cells that surround the
oocyte in the ovary
 1 million present at birth
 400,000 remain at puberty

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OOGENESIS: AFTER PUBERTY

 Each month, hormones cause several follicles to

develop, which triggers the primary oocyte to resume
meiosis I
 Polar bodies: When the cell divides, all the cytoplasm
and organelles stay with one of the new cells, the other
cell is just DNA, and is called a polar body and is
discarded
 Secondary oocyte: The stage at which ovulation occurs.

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OOGENESIS: AFTER PUBERTY

 The secondary oocyte begins meiosis II, but stops in metaphase

II
 The secondary oocyte is ovulated

 Meiosis II is completed only if it is fertilized.

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OOGENESIS

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OVARIES
 Each follicle consists of an immature egg called an oocyte
 Cells around the oocyte are called:
 Follicle cells (one cell layer thick)
 Stimulated to mature by FSH from the pituitary gland
 Granulosa cells (when more than one layer is present)
 Thecal cells: Cells in the ovarian stroma
 Thecal & granulosa cells work together to produce estrogen
 A protective layer of glycoprotein forms around the egg
called the zona pellucida

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FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT
1. Primordial follicle: one layer of squamous-like
follicle cells surrounds the oocyte
2. Primary follicle: two or more layers of cuboidal
granulosa cells enclose the oocyte
3. Secondary follicle: has a fluid-filled space
between granulosa cells that coalesces to form a
central antrum
4. Graafian follicle: secondary follicle at its most
mature stage that bulges from the surface of the
ovary
5. Corpus luteum : ruptured follicle after ovulation

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OVARY HISTOLOGY

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OVARY HISTOLOGY

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Primary Follicle 1° Oocyte
(arrested in prophase I)
Nucleus

Primordial
follicle

Zona pellucida
Thecal cells Granulosa cells
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 Fluid-filled
SECONDARY FOLLICLE antrum

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GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE

Fluid filled antrum

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Oocyte 2°
Granulosa cells

Stalk

Corona radiata Zona pellucida

CORPUS LUTEUM
 After ovulation, the
remains of the follicle are
transformed into a
structure called the
corpus luteum.
 If a pregnancy occurs, it
produces progesterone to
maintain the wall of the
uterus during the early
period of development.
CORPUS ALBICANS
 If fertilization does not
occur, the corpus luteum
will begin to break down
about 2 weeks after
ovulation.
 Degeneration occurs
when fibroblasts enter the
corpus luteum and a
clump of scar tissue
forms called the corpus
albicans.
CHANGES IN PITUITARY
HORMONES (DAYS 1-14)
 During the first half of the cycle (Days
1-14) the pituitary produces FSH,
which stimulates egg production.
 This hormone also triggers the release
of estrogen from the ovaries.
CHANGES IN PITUITARY HORMONES
(DAYS 14-28)
 On the 14th day the pituitary begins
releasing LH causing ovulation
 LH also directs the production of
progesterone which maintains the growth
of the endometrium.
 If the egg is not fertilized upon arrival in
the uterus progesterone levels drop causing
estrogen levels to drop leading to
menstruation.
Pituitary Hormones
CHANGES IN THE OVARIES:
 Stage 1 - An egg is beginning to mature within a
cluster of cells called a follicle
 Stage 2 - Rapid follicle and egg growth
 Stage 3 - Ovulation occurs; fully mature egg bursts
out of the follicle (fertile) empty follicle
transforms into the corpus luteum
 Stage 4 - Egg travels through fallopian tube (7
days) if not fertilized upon arrival in uterus the
corpus luteum shrinks triggering menstruation and
ripening of new egg.
CHANGES IN OVARIAN HORMONES:
 Estrogen -gradually increases during days 1-14;
signals body to thicken the lining of the uterus.
Levels drop sharply after ovulation.
 Progesterone -Levels remain low during the
first half of the cycle and then increase
sharplyduring the second half of the cycle.
Maintaining the growth of the endometrium
lining.
OVARIAN HORMONES
CHANGES IN THE UTERUS:

Stage 2 Day 5- 13
Stage 1- Day 1-5 pre-ovulatory stage Stage 3 Day 14
menstruation Ovulation

Stage 4 Day 15-28

post-ovulatory
stage
THE UTERINE LINING SLOWLY THICKENS
FROM DAY 5 THROUGH DAY 28
CHANGES IN THE UTERUS:
 Stage 1- Menstruation- Endometrium breaks
down and blood, mucus, tissue, and the egg are
shed through the vagina.
 Stage 2- Menstrual flow stops & endometrium
begins to thicken.
 Stage 3- Endometrium continues to thicken.
 Stage 4- The endometrium is at it’s thickest
point.
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 fo r m a tio n o f th 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 th 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
COMMON COMPLICATIONS OF THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Ovarian Cysts- Fluid filled sacs on the surface of an
ovary usually harmless; sometimes more serious.
Symptoms include sudden severe abdominal pain, fever,
vomiting.

 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- Infection leading to

damage of the reproductive organs. If untreated may
lead to chronic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy

 Breast Cancer- uncontrolled cell growth that invades

surrounding tissue and destroys it.
 BREAST SELF EXAMINATION
The best time to do a
monthly self-breast exam is
about 3 to 5 days after your
period starts. Do it at the
same time every month.
Your breasts are not as
tender or lumpy at this time
in your monthly cycle. If
you have gone through
menopause, do
your exam on the same day
every month
Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all
breast tissue if you are lying down.
Place your right hand behind your head. With the
middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press
down using small motions to examine the entire right
breast.
Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast
tissue goes into that area.
Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge.
Repeat the process on the left breast.
Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make
sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue
Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your
side.
Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look
for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling,
puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an
orange peel.
Also note the shape and outline of each breast.

Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Your goal is get used to the feel of your breasts. This

will help you to find anything new or different. If you
do, call your provider right away.