Menstrual cycle Flashcards

1
Q

What is the average length of the menstrual cycle?

A

28 days (21-35)

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2
Q

What do we call the first period of a girl’s life?

A

Menarche

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3
Q

What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle and how long is each?

A

Follicular phase - first 14ish days from start of menstruation to ovulation

Ovulation (14 days before bleeding)

Luteal phase - latter 14 days (ovulation to start of menstruation)

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4
Q

What is a follicle made of?

A

oocytes surrounded by granulosa cells make a follicle

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5
Q

What stages of development does a follicle go through?

A
  • primordial follicle
  • primary follicle
  • secondary follicle
  • antral follicle (aka Graafian)

primordial develop into primary and then secondary independent of menstrual cycle. Secondary have FSH receptors that must be stimulated for them to develop and compete to become the dominant follicle.

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6
Q

What happens in the ovaries during the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle (the follicular phase)?

A

Rising FSH causes development of several primordial follicles into in the end a single, selected tertiary follicle which will then expel the ovum so that it can escape the ovaries during ovulation. The structure left behind is called the corpus luteum.

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7
Q

What does the developing secondary follicle / dominant follicle release?

Effects?

A

oestradiol which:

  • which has negative feedback on pituitary FSH and LH
  • suddenly has poistive feedback and causes LH surge and ovulation
  • cervical mucous to be permeable and also build up endometrium
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8
Q

What happens in the ovaries during the latter 14 days of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase)?

A

The corpus luteum (the structure left behind by the ovum) release progesterone and a little bit of oestrogen before being slowly broken down into first the corpus albicans before being fully degraded.

(progesterone maintains lining and makes cervical mucous thick)

Needs HCG from fertilised embryo to survive.

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9
Q

What are the three phases of the uterine cycle and how long is each?

A

Menses - first 7 days Proliferative stage - days 7-14 Secretory phase - Latter 14 days

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10
Q

What is happening to the uterus during menses of the menstrual cycle?

A

There is a breakdown of the uterus endometrium.

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11
Q

What is happening to the uterus during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle?

A

The endometrium is built up/thickened to be ready for implantation.

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12
Q

What is happening to the uterus during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?

A

The endometrium is maintained whilst the corpus luteum is continuously secreting hormones, before both structures begin to break down and eventually menses starts.

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13
Q

What are the two pituitary hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?

A

Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) Luteinizing hormone (LH)

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14
Q

What are the two ovarian hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?

A

Oestrogen Progesterone

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15
Q

What is the hormone that is at its highest during the first week of the menstrual cycle and is responsible for initiating the follicular phase of the ovarian menstrual cycle?

A

Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)

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16
Q

What is the hormone that has a small rise around day 3 or 4 of the menstrual cycle which initiates the release of another hormone during this phase?

A

Oestrogen which initiates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH)

17
Q

What is the hormone largely responsible for the release of the oocyte in ovulation by having a sudden rise in concentration on about day 13?

A

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

18
Q

What is the hormone responsible for the proliferative stage of the uterine cycle?

A

Oestrogen

19
Q

What is the hormone produced by the corpus luteum?

A

Progesterone (if fertilised the embryos syncytiotrophoblast releases HCG which maintains the corpus luteum and therefore progesterone) and a little bit of oestrogen.

Progesterone will maintain endometrial lining and make cervical mucous thick.

20
Q

What are the hormones responsible for the maintenance of the endometrium in the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

A

Progesterone and oestrogen

21
Q

What causes the breakdown of the endometrium and hence the beginning of the menses and the cycle?

A

The degradation of the corpus luteum means that levels of progesterone decrease bit by bit and eventually the endometrium can no longer be maintained.

22
Q

What stimulates the release of FSH to start the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

A

Low levels of progesterone and oestrogen.

23
Q

How is the endometrium maintained in pregnancy?

A

The implanted embryo will produce human chorionic gonadotrophin which acts to maintain the corpus luteum in the same way as LH and FSH.

24
Q

What happens to the endometrium when oestrogen and progesterone fall?

A

Fall in oestrogen and progesteron causes the endometrium to break down.

Also stromal cells in the endometrium release prostaglandins which encourage breakdown and uterine contraction.

25
Q

What is the average age of menarche in the UK?

A

12.9 years

26
Q

How short and long can the menstrual cycle be without being considered abnormal?

A

21-45 in young women 21-31 in older adults

27
Q

What are the symptoms that have been reported during menses and the preceding two weeks?

A

Pain Acne Tender breasts Bloating Feeling tired

28
Q

What are the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

A

Stress Anxiety Insomnia Headache Fatigue Increased mood swings Emotional sensitivity Changes in libido

29
Q

How do we treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

A

Normally COCP unless contraception is an undesired effect