MENSTRUAL CYCLE Flashcards
(78 cards)
is episodic uterine bleeding in response to cyclic hormonal changes.
menstrual cycle (the female reproductive cycle)
The purpose of a menstrual cycle is to _______ and ________ that will be necessary for the ova’s growth should it be fertilized.
bring an ovum to maturity and renew a uterine tissue bed
First menstruation
Menarche
First menstruation may occur as early as _______.
9 years of age
It is good to include health teaching information on menstruation to both school-age children and their parents as early as ______ as part of routine care.
fourth grade
The length of menstrual cycles differs from woman to woman. The average length is __ days (from the beginning of one menstrual flow to the beginning of the next).
28
It is not unusual for cycles to be as short as __ days or as long as __ days.
23; 35
The length of the average menstrual flow (termed ___) is ____ days
menses; 4 to 6
although women may have flows as short as _ days or as long as _ days (Ledger, 2012).
2; 9
Average age at onset, 12.4 years; average range, 9–17 years
Beginning (menarche)
Average, 28 days; cycles of 23–35 days not unusual
Interval between cycles
Average flow, 4–6 days; ranges of 2–9 days not abnormal
Duration of menstrual flow
Difficult to estimate;
• Average 30–80 ml per
menstrual period;
• Saturating a pad or tampon in
less than 1 hr is heavy bleeding
Amount
• Dark red;
• A combination of blood,
mucus, and endometrial cells
Color
Similar to marigolds
Odor
The Physiology of Menstruation
-Four body structures are involved:
- hypothalamus
- Anterior pituitary gland
- ovaries
- uterus
For a menstrual cycle to be complete, ______.
all four organs must contribute their part.
inactivity of any part results in ______.
an incomplete or ineffective cycle
- Hypothalamus
Release of the ____ from the hypothalamus initiates the menstrual cycle.
GnRH
also called luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone [LHRH]
GnRH(Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)
- Hypothalamus
GnRH then stimulates the _____ to send the gonadotropic hormone to the ____ to produce_____.
pituitary gland ; ovaries; estrogen
- Hypothalamus
When the level of estrogen rises, release of GnRH is ____ and no further menstrual cycles will occur.
repressed
adenohypophysis
The Anterior lobe of the Pituitary Gland
- The Anterior lobe of the Pituitary Gland (the adenohypophysis)
-Under the influence of GnRH, produces two hormones:
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) & LH (Luteinizing Hormone)