The Menstrual Cycle

LO:Know the hormones involved in the menstrual cycleDescribe artificial control of fertility

HormonesWrite down a definition of what a hormone is

Hormones are chemical messengers in the blood.

They help to regulate processes in the body.

Can you label the following diagram?

Fallopian tube

Ovary

Uterus

Pituitary gland

The female menstrual cycleWrite down which hormones are involved in the

menstrual cycle.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) –1. Triggers egg ripening2. Triggers oestrogen productionOestrogen – 1.Suppresses production of FSH2.Stimulates production of LHLuteinising hormone (LH) – Triggers release of an egg (ovulation)

From pituitary gland

From pituitary gland

From ovaries

Review

1. What is the function of the menstrual cycle?

2. What hormones are produced in the pituitary gland?

3. What hormones are produced by the ovaries?

4. Why is oestrogen released during the cycle?

Artificial Birth Control

During the last 50 years there have been technological advances which allow couples to control their own fertility.

Contraceptive Pill Contraceptive pills are used to stop women

becoming pregnant.

There are many different forms

The most common Contraceptive pill contains the hormone Oestrogen

Can you think why this is?The oral contraceptive pill usually contains Oestrogen

because Oestrogen stops the production of the hormone FSH. FSH is responsible for making eggs

mature. If eggs can’t mature than a woman can not get pregnant.

Fertility Drugs

Female hormones can also be used to help women get pregnant

Some women can’t get pregnant. The most common reason for that the eggs in their ovaries do not mature

Can you think what hormone these women are given and

explain why?They are usually given FSH. This is because FSH is the hormone which causes eggs to mature. The

main reason a women can’t get pregnant is because she does not produce enough FSH of her own

IVF

IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is used to help couples have a baby. Eggs are removed from the ovaries and they are fertilised with sperm outside of the body.The fertilised eggs are implanted in the womb to develop naturally.To ensure there are lots of mature eggs, the woman will usually be given fertility drugs too.

Review

• 1. Which hormone dooes the contraceptive pill contain? Why?

• 2. What hormones do fertility drugs contain? Why?

• 3. Describe the stages in IVF treatment. List three different reasons that a couple may require this treatment.

Homework

• The first oral contraceptives contained large amounts of oestrogen that resulted in many side effects in women who were taking them.

• Research the development of oral contraceptives, including information on the side effects and what oral contraceptives now contain.