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Mechanisms in
the Menstrual
Cycle
• The female reproductive
system, just like the male
reproductive system, is also
regulated by hormones. The
follicles produce hormones that
control the growth and release
of eggs from the ovaries. While
other hormones prepare the
uterus so a baby can grow in it,
other hormones still control
the stretching of the uterus
during pregnancy. An ovary
releases only one egg every 28
days.
Hormones control many of the changes in
the reproductive system. The monthly
changes that takes place in the female
reproductive system is called menstruation.
This cycle occurs every month from the first
onset which could happen when a female is
between 10 to 13 years old. The monthly
cycle continues for about 40 years.
 The cycle can be subdivided into 4
phases/stages, first is the follicular phase
4 where an ovum with its surrounding
follicle cells develop. The second is the
ovulation phase which involves the
3 1
maturation and breaking away of the
ovum from its surrounding follicle cells.
The third is the Luteal phase, it is
2
characterized by the increase level of
progesterone. The last one is the
menstruation stage/phase where the
tissue lining, blood and mucus are
discharged from the female reproductive
tract
 The important events during the menstrual cycle are as follows:
1. The pituitary gland controls and starts the cycle.
2. The pituitary gland releases hormones that cause the egg in the ovary to mature. The
luteinizing hormone (LH) initiates the maturation of the follicles, converts ruptured
follicles into corpus luteum and causes the secretion of progesterone. The follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) assists in the maturation of the follicles and causes the
secretion of estrogen from the follicles.
3. Meanwhile, the ovary itself releases a hormone called estrogen, which causes the
uterine lining to increase in thickness. The uterine lining becomes thicker so that the
fertilized egg can attach to it.
4. The ovary releases an egg on day 14. Assume that no sperm is present
5. The egg moves through the oviduct/fallopian tube and enters the uterus.
6. Meanwhile the uterus continues to thicken.
7. The egg has not been fertilized, therefore, it will not attach to the uterus.
8. The thick uterine lining is no longer necessary, so the cells of the thickened uterine
lining break off and leave the vagina. The unfertilized egg is lost and some blood will be
lost too. This loss of cells from the uterine lining, blood, and egg is called menstruation
9. After menstruation, the cycle starts again
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