M3H Menstruation and Pregnancy Flashcards
What happens during the menstrual period (Days 1 to 5)?
Discharge of bloody fluid containing disintegrated endometrial cells, glandular secretions, and blood cells.
What occurs between Days 6 and 12 of the menstrual cycle?
The endometrium repairs itself
The maturing follicle in the ovary releases estrogen, which aids in the repair.
The ovum grows in the follicle.
What happens during the ovulatory period (Days 13 and 14)?
The follicle ruptures, releasing the egg from the ovary (ovulation)
The egg passes through the fallopian tube.
What occurs from Days 15 to 28 of the menstrual cycle?
The emptied follicle becomes the corpus luteum, secreting estrogen and progesterone.
Progesterone stimulates the endometrial buildup in anticipation of fertilization.
What is the corpus luteum and what is its function?
The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine structure formed after ovulation.
It secretes estrogen and progesterone.
What happens if fertilization does not occur?
The corpus luteum in the ovary stops producing progesterone and regresses.
What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
Symptoms such as depression, breast tenderness, and irritability
Caused by lowered levels of progesterone and estrogen
What happens if fertilization occurs?
The fertilized egg travels to the uterus implants in the uterine endometrium
The corpus luteum continues producing progesterone and estrogen to support the development of the uterine lining
What is the role of the placenta during pregnancy?
The placenta provides a link between the mother’s and fetus’s blood vessels, exchanging nutrients, oxygen, and wastes.
It produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to stimulate the corpus luteum to continue hormone production until the placenta takes over
What hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland during menstruation and pregnancy?
The pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
What is the role of FSH and LH in the menstrual cycle?
FSH and LH stimulate the maturation of the ovum and trigger ovulation.
What is the LH surge, and what does it trigger?
The LH surge is a spike in LH levels that triggers ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum.
How does LH affect the corpus luteum after ovulation?
LH helps maintain the corpus luteum and its production of estrogen and progesterone after ovulation
How does pregnancy affect FSH and LH production?
During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries and placenta stop the pituitary gland from producing FSH and LH, preventing ovulation and maturation of eggs
