What Is The Menstrual Cycle? | Physiology | Biology | FuseSchool

Summary

The video explains the unique aspects of the menstrual cycle in women aged 12 to 50, highlighting its phases: menstruation, ovulation, and hormonal changes. It describes how the uterus prepares for pregnancy, detailing the roles of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the cycle. The video also touches on the physical discomforts many women experience, often referred to as the 'curse.' Additionally, it discusses the roles of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in egg maturation and release, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the menstrual process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Women between the ages of 12 and 50 undergo a monthly menstrual cycle where the uterus prepares for pregnancy.
• 😀 If pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining breaks down and is expelled during menstruation, commonly known as a period.
• 😀 The menstrual cycle typically lasts around 28 days and involves significant hormonal fluctuations and physical discomforts.
• 😀 Menstruation is the first phase of the cycle, where the uterine lining (endometrium) sheds if the egg has not been fertilized.
• 😀 Ovulation is the second phase, during which the egg is released from the ovary and the woman is most fertile.
• 😀 If the egg is fertilized and successfully embeds in the uterine lining, pregnancy occurs and menstruation does not take place.
• 😀 If fertilization does not happen, the egg is not embedded, and the uterine lining breaks down, leading to menstruation.
• 😀 The menstrual cycle is primarily controlled by two hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
• 😀 Estrogen helps thicken the uterine lining after menstruation, preparing it for a potential pregnancy.
• 😀 Progesterone maintains the uterine lining during the second half of the menstrual cycle and plays a key role in pregnancy if fertilization occurs.
• 😀 Two additional hormones, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), regulate the maturation and release of eggs during the cycle.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the menstrual cycle?

The main purpose of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining to receive a fertilized egg.

What happens during menstruation?

During menstruation, if the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining (endometrium) breaks down and is expelled from the body through the vaginal canal, resulting in bleeding.

How long does the menstrual cycle typically last?

The menstrual cycle typically lasts about 28 days, although it can vary from person to person.

What hormonal changes occur during the menstrual cycle?

During the menstrual cycle, there are drastic hormonal fluctuations, primarily involving estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the preparation of the uterine lining and ovulation.

What is ovulation, and when does it occur?

Ovulation is the stage when a mature egg is released from the ovary, typically occurring around 14 days into the menstrual cycle, and this is when a woman is most fertile.

What roles do estrogen and progesterone play in the menstrual cycle?

Estrogen is responsible for thickening the uterine lining after menstruation, while progesterone helps maintain the lining during the second half of the cycle, particularly if the egg is fertilized.

What hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland, and what are their functions?

The pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH stimulates the maturation of the egg and the release of estrogen, while LH triggers the release of the mature egg and stimulates progesterone release.

What happens if the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterine lining?

If the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterine lining, progesterone levels drop, leading to the breakdown of the lining and the onset of menstruation.

Why is menstruation colloquially referred to as 'the curse'?

Menstruation is colloquially referred to as 'the curse' due to the physical discomforts many women experience during this time, including cramps, headaches, and general nausea.

What can individuals do to learn more about the hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?

Individuals can browse the internet for additional information on the hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, such as estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH, to gain a deeper understanding of their functions.