Menstrual cycle and

hormones
 Menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle in women is a recurring process in which If

implantation of the fertilised egg into the uterus lining does not happen,
the lining is shed at menstruation. The cycle lasts about 28 days and
continues until about 30 to 45 years. There are different hormones that
control this cycle. This menstruation is repeated again and again in
women after every 28 days.
 Hormones

The menstrual cycle is regulated by four hormones:

FSH( follicle stimulating hormone): causes the maturation of an egg in the ovary

LH( Luteinizing hormone): stimulates the release of the egg

Oestrogen: is involved in repairing and thickening the uterus lining

Progesterone: maintains uterus

 Hormones

Hormone Where produced Role

Causes an egg to mature in an ovary;

FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) Pituitary gland
stimulates the ovaries to release oestrogen

Stops FSH being produced (so that only one

egg matures in a cycle); repairs, thickens and
Oestrogen Ovaries maintains the uterus lining; stimulates the
pituitary gland to release LH

LH (luteinising hormone) Pituitary gland Triggers ovulation (the release of a mature

egg)

Maintains the lining of the uterus during the

Progesterone Ovaries middle part of the menstrual cycle and during
pregnancy
 Hormone

In case a woman becomes pregnant, the placenta produces progesterone. This

maintains the lining of the uterus during pregnancy and means that menstruation
does not happen.
 Menstrual cycle

The four phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the follicular

phase, ovulation and the luteal phase:
 Menstruation(period): is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's
monthly cycle. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs,
the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining.(1-5)

 The follicular phase is the stage of your menstrual cycle when your body is preparing to
release an egg. This is a necessary process for pregnancy. Once the egg is released, the
follicular phase is considered over.(6-11)

 Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary. After it's
released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours,
where it can be fertilized., it may or may not be fertilized by sperm. If fertilized, the egg
may travel to the uterus and implant to develop into a pregnancy.(12-16)

 The luteal phase happens in the second part of your menstrual cycle, the luteal phase
prepares your uterus for pregnancy by thickening your uterine lining for pregnancy.(17-
28)
 Hormones

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are

secreted by the anterior pituitary. FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian
follicles that secrete oestrogen. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus
luteum.
As we can see in the above diagram, the secretion of FSH and LH
gradually increases during the follicular phase. They stimulate the
development of follicles and the release of oestrogen from them.
Oestrogen stimulates the proliferation of the endometrium. The level of
LH and FSH peaks in the middle of the cycle. LH induces ovulation.
There is a sudden increase in LH level just before ovulation. After
ovulation, the follicle develops into the corpus luteum, which secretes
progesterone, hence the level of progesterone increases in the luteal
phase. Progesterone is required for the maintenance of the
endometrium for implantation. In the absence of fertilisation, corpus
luteum regresses and progesterone level decreases. It leads to the
disintegration of the endometrium and menstrual flow occurs.
 Hormones

Days 1 to 12 - oestrogen gradually increases and peaks

approximately on the 12th day. Progesterone, LH and FSH
stay approximately at the same levels and begin to
increase slightly from around day 12.
FSH and LH patterns are very similar and peak during
ovulation at approximately 14 days during this cycle. They
drop sharply on day 15 and stay constant until day 28.
Oestrogen drops during days 13 and 14, and progesterone
continues to gradually increase until about day 21, when it
slowly beings to decrease again. Oestrogen mirrors this
shape and also has a second lower peak at about day 21.
 Thank you for your attention

By: Muhammet Alkan Ahmad Ali Ahmad Yaser