The MenstrualThe Menstrual Cycle Cycle

Dave Crowley, 2007

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle

To know why the menstrual cycle is importantTo know why the menstrual cycle is important

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

WordsearchWordsearch Find as many words associated with fertilisation as possible - use different Find as many words associated with fertilisation as possible - use different

colours between words associated with the male / female systemscolours between words associated with the male / female systems

You have five minutes, good luck!You have five minutes, good luck!

BladderBladder CervixCervix Egg cellEgg cell OviductOviduct Sex cellSex cell OvaryOvary PenisPenis

ScrotumScrotum Sperm cellSperm cell Sperm ductSperm duct TestisTestis UrethraUrethra UterusUterus VaginaVagina

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle The female reproductive system includes a cycle of events The female reproductive system includes a cycle of events

called the called the menstrual cyclemenstrual cycle

It lasts about It lasts about 28 days28 days (but it can be slightly more or less than (but it can be slightly more or less than this)this)

It is It is controlled by a series of sex hormonescontrolled by a series of sex hormones (produced in the (produced in the brain and ovaries)brain and ovaries)

A female must have a menstrual cycle - for fertilisation to occur A female must have a menstrual cycle - for fertilisation to occur she needs to she needs to release her sex cellsrelease her sex cells (eggs) and be prepared for (eggs) and be prepared for pregnancy - this occurs during the pregnancy - this occurs during the menstrual cyclemenstrual cycle

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle begins at The menstrual cycle begins at day 1day 1, when bleeding from the vagina begins. , when bleeding from the vagina begins.

This is caused by the loss of the uterus lining (with some blood) - this is This is caused by the loss of the uterus lining (with some blood) - this is known as known as menstruationmenstruation, or having a , or having a periodperiod (lasting (lasting 3-7 days3-7 days))

By around By around day 5day 5 menstruation stops. The lining of the uterus begins to re- menstruation stops. The lining of the uterus begins to re-grow, and an grow, and an egg cellegg cell starts to mature in one of the starts to mature in one of the ovariesovaries

Around Around day 14day 14 the mature egg cell is released from the ovary. This is called the mature egg cell is released from the ovary. This is called ovulationovulation - the egg cell travels down the oviduct towards the uterus - the egg cell travels down the oviduct towards the uterus

If the egg cell does not meet with a sperm cell (If the egg cell does not meet with a sperm cell (no fertilisationno fertilisation) then the ) then the lining of the uterus begins to lining of the uterus begins to break downbreak down again, and the again, and the cycle repeatscycle repeats

BUT - if the egg cell meets and joins with a sperm cell (BUT - if the egg cell meets and joins with a sperm cell (fertilisationfertilisation) then it ) then it attaches to the lining of the uterus and the female becomes attaches to the lining of the uterus and the female becomes preganantpreganant - at - at this point the this point the cycle stopscycle stops

TimelineTimeline

Day 1Day 1 - menstrual cycle and - menstrual cycle and menstruationmenstruation (period) begins (lasts 3-7 days) (period) begins (lasts 3-7 days)

Day 3-7Day 3-7 - menstruation (period) stops - menstruation (period) stops

Day 14Day 14 - an egg cell is released from one of the ovaries ( - an egg cell is released from one of the ovaries (ovulationovulation))

Day 28Day 28 - if the egg has not been fertilised (by a sperm), the cycle repeats - if the egg has not been fertilised (by a sperm), the cycle repeats

PregnancyPregnancy

If an egg cell and sperm cell meet, and there is successful fertilisation, If an egg cell and sperm cell meet, and there is successful fertilisation, the body will detect this, and the soft lining of the uterus not break the body will detect this, and the soft lining of the uterus not break down (the female will have no more menstruations / periods)down (the female will have no more menstruations / periods)

The embryo will then attach to the uterus lining, where it will develop The embryo will then attach to the uterus lining, where it will develop into a foetus (and in a human, this development will last for around into a foetus (and in a human, this development will last for around nine months until birth)nine months until birth)

During pregnancy, the uterus lining During pregnancy, the uterus lining becomes much thicker as it supplies the becomes much thicker as it supplies the embryo with the materials it needs to embryo with the materials it needs to develop and grow. It will not break down develop and grow. It will not break down during pregnancy (if this were to happen during pregnancy (if this were to happen the foetus would not be able to develop the foetus would not be able to develop and grow, and would die)and grow, and would die)

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle Complete the menstrual cycle Complete the menstrual cycle

worksheet, sticking all the sections worksheet, sticking all the sections into your book - use colouring into your book - use colouring pencils to make it stand outpencils to make it stand out

When completed, answer the When completed, answer the questionsquestions

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle

Egg maturationThe egg cell starts to mature in the ovary. The uterus lining builds up

Menstruation (period)The lining of the uterus breaks apart and passes out of the vagina, with blood

Most fertile timeThe egg cell is swept along the oviduct towards the uterus

OvulationThe egg cell is released from the ovary (~ day 14)

1.1. If an egg is fertilised between days 15-28, the menstrual cycle will stopIf an egg is fertilised between days 15-28, the menstrual cycle will stop2.2. Fertile means the female has the ability to become pregnant (greatest chance of conception)Fertile means the female has the ability to become pregnant (greatest chance of conception)3.3. Probably ~ 28 days later: 4Probably ~ 28 days later: 4 thth December (although this can be a few days before / after) December (although this can be a few days before / after)

Ext: Anxiety of not knowing exactly what will happen when her body begins to changeExt: Anxiety of not knowing exactly what will happen when her body begins to change

Uterus LiningUterus Lining You must also be aware of how the uterus lining changes during You must also be aware of how the uterus lining changes during

the menstrual cyclethe menstrual cycle

If fertilisation occurs the soft lining of the uterus will feed the If fertilisation occurs the soft lining of the uterus will feed the foetus - it is replaced each cycle to ensure it can do this, foetus - it is replaced each cycle to ensure it can do this, however once fertilisation has been detected it remains thick however once fertilisation has been detected it remains thick

Uterus LiningUterus Lining

Complete the uterus lining worksheet, Complete the uterus lining worksheet, writing in the labels of how the lining writing in the labels of how the lining changes during the menstrual cyclechanges during the menstrual cycle

Then complete the sentences, and make Then complete the sentences, and make sure everything is stuck in your book!sure everything is stuck in your book!

Uterus LiningUterus Lining

The lining gets thickerThe lining breaks down

The lining stays thickAn egg is released

Egg cells are released from the ovaries. The time when they are released is called ovulation. If the egg cell meets a sperm cell it will be fertilised. If it does not, it will die.

The time when the uterus lining breaks apart is called menstruation. Another term for this is ‘having a period’. During this time the uterus lining and a little blood passes out of the vagina.

HormonesHormones The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones - released from The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones - released from

the female’s brain and her ovariesthe female’s brain and her ovaries

These hormones are oestrogen; progesterone; luteinising These hormones are oestrogen; progesterone; luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - don’t hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - don’t worry about learning their names!worry about learning their names!

QuestionsQuestions

Answer the following in full sentences: -Answer the following in full sentences: -

1.1. How long does it take to complete one complete cycle of How long does it take to complete one complete cycle of the menstrual cycle?the menstrual cycle?

2.2. What happens during menstruation (a period)?What happens during menstruation (a period)?

3.3. How long does menstruation (a period) last?How long does menstruation (a period) last?

4.4. What happens about 14 days after menstruation starts?What happens about 14 days after menstruation starts?

5.5. Why does the soft uterus lining have to become thicker?Why does the soft uterus lining have to become thicker?

6.6. How might a woman tell that she is pregnant?How might a woman tell that she is pregnant?

AnswersAnswers

1.1. A complete cycle takes around 28 daysA complete cycle takes around 28 days2.2. During menstruation (a period) the uterus lining is broken During menstruation (a period) the uterus lining is broken

down and passes out of the vagina (along with some blood)down and passes out of the vagina (along with some blood)3.3. Menstruation (the period phase) lasts between 3-7 daysMenstruation (the period phase) lasts between 3-7 days4.4. After about 14 days after the menstural cycle began the egg After about 14 days after the menstural cycle began the egg

cell (ova) is released from the ovaries. It passes down the cell (ova) is released from the ovaries. It passes down the oviduct, towards the uterusoviduct, towards the uterus

5.5. The soft uterus lining supplies the foetus with all it needs to The soft uterus lining supplies the foetus with all it needs to develop (i.e. its food)develop (i.e. its food)

6.6. If a woman stops having her period then she may well be If a woman stops having her period then she may well be pregnant (although she should check with her doctor to make pregnant (although she should check with her doctor to make sure)sure)