Download Menstrual Cycle - Gainesville ISD

• Menstrual Cycle
• A repeating series of changes in the
lining of the uterus or ENDOMETRIUM in
preparation of uterus receiving a
fertilized egg is called the MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
• the menstrual cycle begins at puberty &
lasts 30-40 years until MENOPAUSE
when hormones change & egg
production stops
• this cycle repeats “APPROXIMATELY”
every 28 days
• 3 Phases of the
Menstrual Cycle
1. Menses
2. Proliferative stage
3. Secretory Phase
Secretory Phase
Menses
Proliferative Phase
• MENSES
• begins with the shedding of the lining
of the uterus
• tissue, cells, blood, etc., are passed
from uterus to outside of body
• this phase lasts an “AVERAGE” of 5
days
• PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
• as MENSES ends the uterus is
repaired and prepared for
receiving another egg
• ovulation occurs around day 14
and the egg begins its journey to
the uterus
• the hormones FSH & LH play a large
role in when and how this happens
• SECRETORY PHASE
• lasts from day 15 to 28
(APPROXIMATELY)
• phase is named for the CORPUS
LUTEUM which produces
ESTROGEN & PROGESTERONE
• if the egg is not fertilized (NO
PREGNANCY) the hypothalamus
signals to stop producing FSH & LH
• as hormone levels drop the lining
of the uterus begins to shed & the
cycle starts again