MENSTRUAL CYCLE Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in MENSTRUAL CYCLE Deck (25)
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1
Q

What is the average length of the menstrual cycle?

A

28 days

2
Q

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

A

Menarche

3
Q

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

A

Follicular phase - first 13/14 days
Ovulation
Luteal phase - latter 13/14 days

4
Q

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

A

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.

5
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 oestrogen before being slowly broken down into first the corpus albicans before being fully degraded.

6
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

7
Q

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

A

There is a breakdown of the uterus endometrium.

8
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.

9
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.

10
Q

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

A

Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

11
Q

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

A

Oestrogen

Progesterone

12
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)

13
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)

14
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)

15
Q

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

A

Oestrogen

16
Q

What is the hormone produced by the corpus luteum?

A

Progesterone

17
Q

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

A

Progesterone and oestrogen

18
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.

19
Q

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

A

Low levels of progesterone and oestrogen.

20
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.

21
Q

What is the average age of menarche in the UK?

A

12.9 years

22
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

23
Q

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

A
Pain
Acne
Tender breasts
Bloating
Feeling tired
24
Q

What are the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

A
Stress
Anxiety
Insomnia
Headache
Fatigue
Increased mood swings
Emotional sensitivity
Changes in libido
25
Q

How do we treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

A

Normally COCP unless contraception is an undesired effect