Menstrual cycle, contraception and fertility treatment

Question 1

What happens during menstruation?

Answer 1

The uterus lining is shed

Question 2

Why is the menstrual cycle important?

Answer 2

It is a sequence of changes in a female’s body which allows her to become pregnant

Question 3

What is the release of an egg from an ovary called?

Answer 3

Ovulation

Question 4

Where in the female body are eggs stored?

Answer 4

ovaries

Question 5

What connects ovaries to the uterus?

Answer 5

fallopian tubes/oviducts

Question 6

What is the purpose of the uterus?

Answer 6

It is where an unborn baby grows and develops

Question 7

Which hormones are involved in the control of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 7

Oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH

Question 8

Which hormones do the ovaries produce?

Answer 8

Oestrogen and progesterone

Question 9

Which gland produces FSH and LH?

Answer 9

Pituitary gland

Question 10

What happens during the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 10

Menstruation- the uterus lining breaks down

Question 11

How long is the menstrual cycle on average?

Answer 11

28 days

Question 12

When in the menstrual cycle does ovulation happen?

Answer 12

around day 14

Question 13

In what order are the hormones in the menstrual cycle released?

Answer 13

FSH > Oestrogen > LH > progesterone (FOLP)

Question 14

What is the role of FSH in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 14

Causes the egg to mature in the ovary and oestrogen to be produced.

Question 15

What is the role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 15

Causes the uterus lining to thicken and triggers ovulation, causes FSH to be broken down, causes LH to be produced

Question 16

What is the role of LH in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 16

Causes ovulation. Causes progesterone to be produced.

Question 17

What is the role of progesterone during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 17

Maintains the uterus lining. Inhibits production of FSH and LH

Question 18

What is the corpus luteum?

Answer 18

The remains of an egg follicle once an egg is released. Produces oestrogen and progesterone. If an egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, stopping release of progesterone and oestrogen so the menstrual cycle starts again.

Question 19

What is a contraceptive?

Answer 19

A method of preventing pregnancy

Question 20

What is a barrier contraceptive? Give an example

Answer 20

a method of contraceptive which prevents sperm from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. e.g. condoms or diaphragm

Question 21

What is a hormonal contraceptive? Give an example

Answer 21

a method of contraceptive which contains hormones and either prevents ovulation or a fertilized egg implanting into the uterus. e.g. the pill, the implant, the patch or contraceptive injection.

Question 22

Which hormones are usually contained in hormonal contraceptives?

Answer 22

oestrogen and progesterone

Question 23

Why do hormonal contraceptives work?

Answer 23

oestrogen and progesterone inhibit production of FSH so eggs do not mature and ovulation does not take place.

Question 24

What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?

Answer 24

The use of hormones and procedures as fertility treatments to help a woman become pregnant

Question 25

Why do drugs containing FSH and LH increase fertility?

Answer 25

FSH and LH stimulate eggs to mature in the ovary and make ovulation (release of an egg) more likely. This means there is a higher chance of a sperm reaching an egg.

Question 26

What happens during In vitro fertilisation (IVF)?

Answer 26

Eggs are collected from a woman and fertilized by sperm in a dish in a lab. Once the eggs develop into embryos one or two are inserted into a uterus (either the original mother or a surrogate can be used).

Question 27

How does clomifene work?

Answer 27

Clomifene is a drug which blocks oestrogen’s negative feedback on LH, causing more LH to be released and making ovulation more likely.