Menstrual Cycle Phases | Female Reproductive System | Follicular Luteal Proliferative Secretory

Summary

In this educational video, Sarah Thread Sterner explains the menstrual cycle, focusing on its 28-day duration and the phases: follicular, ovulation, and luteal. She emphasizes the hormonal changes, particularly FSH and LH, which drive the cycle and prepare the body for potential fertilization. The video also covers uterine changes, including the menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases, and how they support the cycle's reproductive goal. Viewers are encouraged to take a quiz for review and explore related videos in the series.

Takeaways

• 📅 The typical menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days, with ovulation occurring around day 14.
• 🌱 The primary purpose of the reproductive cycle is to prepare the body for potential fertilization and pregnancy.
• 🔍 Nursing students should focus on understanding each phase of the cycle, the hormones involved, and their timing.
• 🌼 The ovary undergoes three phases: follicular, ovulation, and luteal, while the uterus experiences menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases.
• 🔗 The follicular phase (cycle days 1-13) involves maturing a follicle for egg release, facilitated by hormones like FSH and LH.
• 📈 Estrogen levels rise as the follicle matures, signaling the body that the egg is getting ready for ovulation.
• 💉 The LH surge triggers the release of the egg from the follicle, which then becomes the corpus luteum, secreting progesterone and estrogen.
• 🩸 The menstrual phase (cycle days 1-6) involves shedding the endometrium, preparing for a potential pregnancy.
• 🌡️ Basal body temperature can dip before ovulation and rise afterwards, which can be a sign of ovulation.
• 🚫 If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a drop in progesterone and estrogen, and the cycle restarts.
• 🤰 If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum continues to function until the placenta takes over, maintaining progesterone and estrogen levels for the pregnancy.

Q & A

What is the typical length of a woman's menstrual cycle?

A typical woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days.

When does ovulation occur in the menstrual cycle?

Ovulation occurs at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, which is around day 14.

What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle?

The three phases of the ovarian cycle are the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

What is the role of the follicular phase in the menstrual cycle?

The follicular phase prepares a follicle to release a mature egg that can be fertilized.

How do hormones play a role in the development and release of an egg during the follicular phase?

Hormones such as FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) stimulate the growth and maturation of the follicle, leading to the release of a mature egg during ovulation.

What is the LH surge and why is it significant?

The LH surge is a massive peak of luteinizing hormone that signals the egg is ready to be released from the follicle, allowing it to potentially be fertilized.

What happens to the follicle that released the egg during ovulation?

The follicle that released the egg turns into a structure called the corpus luteum, which plays a role in secreting progesterone and estrogen to prepare the endometrium for potential implantation.

What are the three phases of the uterine cycle and how do they correspond to the ovarian phases?

The uterine cycle has three phases: the menstrual phase, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase. These correspond to the follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle, respectively.

Why is the menstrual phase significant in the uterine cycle?

The menstrual phase is significant because it involves the shedding of the endometrium, preparing the body for a new cycle in case fertilization does not occur.

What happens if fertilization occurs during the luteal phase?

If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum continues to secrete progesterone and estrogen to support the pregnancy until the placenta takes over, which happens around 8 weeks into the pregnancy.

What is the significance of the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

The secretory phase prepares the endometrium for the potential implantation of a fertilized ovum. During this phase, the endometrium becomes receptive to implantation due to the influence of progesterone and estrogen.