Menstrual cycle and Fertility

Question 1

What is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 1

The menstrual cycle in women is a recurring process in which the lining of the uterus - womb - is prepared for pregnancy, and if pregnancy does not happen, the lining is shed at menstruation.

Question 2

What two things does FSH make happen?

Answer 2

• It causes an egg to mature in an ovary
• It stimulates the ovaries to release the hormone oestrogen

Question 3

What two things does oestrogen make happen?

Answer 3

• It stops FSH being produced - so that only one egg matures in a cycle
• It stimulates the pituitary gland to release the hormone LH

Question 4

What does the hormone LH do?

Answer 4

The hormone LH causes the mature egg to be released from the ovary

Question 5

What do oral contaceptives do?

Answer 5

The oral contraceptive, ‘the pill’, greatly reduces the chances of mature eggs being produced. The pill contains oestrogen, or oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones inhibit the production of FSH, which in turn stops eggs maturing in the ovaries.

Question 6

What does fertility treatment do?

Answer 6

Some women have difficulty becoming pregnant because they don’t produce enough FSH to allow their eggs to mature. ‘Fertility drugs’ contain FSH, which stimulates eggs to mature in the ovary.