The Menstrual

Cycle
 Objectives

• What is the Menstrual Cycle?

• What are the Phases of the Menstrual
cycle?
• What are the hormones involved in the
Menstrual cycle?
What is the Menstrual Cycle?

• The menstrual cycle prepares your body for

pregnancy. If you are not pregnant, your
hormones send a signal to your uterus to
shed its lining. A menstrual cycle is measured
from the first day of your period to the first
day of your next period. The average length
of a menstrual cycle is 28 to 29 days.
 What are the Phases of the
Menstrual cycle?

• There are four main phases of the

menstrual cycle.
1. Menstruation
2. The follicular phase
3. Ovulation
4. The luteal phase
 • Menstruation is commonly known as a
period. When you menstruate, your
uterus lining sheds and flows out of
your vagina. Your period contains
Menstruation blood, mucus, and some cells from the
lining of your uterus. The average
length of a period is three to seven
days.
 Ovulation
• Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from an ovary and moves along
a fallopian tube towards your uterus. This usually happens once each
month, about two weeks before your next period.
The Follicular Phase
• The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts for 13 to
14 days, ending in ovulation.
• The pituitary gland in the brain releases a hormone to stimulate the
production of follicles on the surface of an ovary. Usually, only one follicle
will mature into an egg.
• This can happen from day 10 of your cycle. During this phase, your uterus
lining also thickens in preparation for pregnancy.
 The Luteal Phase

• After ovulation, cells in the ovary (the corpus luteum),

release progesterone and a small amount of estrogen.
• This causes the lining of the uterus to thicken in
preparation for pregnancy.
• If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum dies,
progesterone levels drop, the uterus lining sheds, and
the period begins again.
 What are the hormones
involved in the Menstrual
cycle?
• The Hormones involved in the menstrual
cycle are:
1. Estrogen
2. Progesterone
3. LH
4. FSH
 Estrogen

• Causes growth of the uterine lining.

Inhibits FSH.
• Stimulates the release of LH and hence
release of the egg.
• Inhibits LH after ovulation.
 Progesterone

• Maintains the uterine lining. Inhibits LH after

ovulation.
 Luteinising hormone (LH)
• Stimulates the release of the egg (called ovulation). Stimulates oestrogen and progesterone
production.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

• Stimulates egg development and the release of oestrogen.