Mod 3 Flashcards
Menarche
Very first mensural flow
Menses
Regular monthly flow in the reproductive years
Perimenopausal
A women at the end of her mensural years
What is the classification of perimenopausal
Irregular cycle pattern
Late 40’s
10 year duration
Can get pregnant during this period
Menopause
When the menstrual cycle ceases altogether
GnRF
Also called GnRH
Gonadotropin releasing factor/ or hormone
Produced by the hypothalamus
Stimulates the anterior pituitary to produce its hormones
Hypothalamus
Is the control center for the menstrual cycle
FSH
Follicle stimulating hormone
Stimulates the growth of follicles
LH
Luteinizing hormone
Stimulates follicles but to a lesser extent compared to FSH
Surge in LH is responsible for ovulation
Supports the growth of the corpus lute I but does not maintain it
What produces FSH and LH
what is the other name for them
what do they stimulate
Beta cells in the anterior pituitary
Also called gonadotropins
Stimulate the ovaries
How many follicles will mature with each cycle when stimulated by FSH
Only one
What maintains the corpus luteum in pregnancy
HCG
Ovarian steroids
Estrogen
Progesterone
Relaxin
Hormones of the female menstrual cycle
GnRH FSH LH Estrogen Progesterone Relaxin
Estrogen
Secreted from granulosa cells lining the follicles
Peak secretion occurs just before ovulation
Must hit a threshold for LH to surge
Cause for proliferation of endometrium
Responsible for female secondary sex characteristics
Female secondary sex characteristics
Breast development
Widening of the hips
Body hair
Progesterone
Secreted by the corpus luteum
Peak concentration is reached about 7 days after ovulation
Induces secretory activity and hypertrophy of the endometrium
Inhibits the secretion of LH
Makes the uterus more hospital for implantation
Relaxin
Relaxes the symphysis pubis during fetal delivery
Helps dilate the cervix to promote sperm mobility
Also dilated the cervix in labour during fetal delivery
Menstruation length
Day 1-5
Proliferation phase
Day 6-14
Also called the follicular phase
Ovulation
Day 14
Secretory
Day 14-28
Also called the luteal phase
Follicular phase and luteal phase are
What the ovary is actually doing
Day 1 of menstrual cycle
the bleeding phase
Ovarian hormone levels are low-hypothalamus produces GnRF as a result
Result is pituitary produces FSH and LH
Graafian Follicle
Matures by day 13 and is accompanied by an increase in estrogen
The dominant follicle
Day 14 of menstrual cycle
Estrogen hits its threshold
Causes LH to surge inducing ovulation
Corpus luteum
The bursted graafian follicle
If progesterone decreases
Estrogen increases
Corpus luteum regresses if no fertilization occurs
What cause menstruation to begin
Does the cycle reinitiate
Withdrawal of the hormones and yes the cycle reinitiates as a result
Symptoms of the menstrual cycle
Possible mittleschmerz
Fluid retention or weight gain in the luteal phase
Rise in body temp because of progesterone at ovulation
Proliferative phase on ultrasound
Hypoechoic halo
Echogenic edge of endometrium
Hypoechoic of endometrium
Apposing endometrial lining
Secretory phase on ultrasound
Hypoechoic halo
Hyperechoic endometrium
Menstrual phase on ultrasound
Endometrium is thin
May see blood in canal- appear anechoic if seen
Postmenopausal ultrasound appearance
Endometrium is thin: 1-5mm
Less than 5mm in EV
If a postmenopausal women is on hormone replacement therapy how does the endometrium appear
Thicker than it would if she was not on HRT drugs
How does the endometrium of a retroflexed uterus appear on ultrasound
It is difficult to get a good visual
What is the best way to visualize the endometrium on ultrasound
Get perpendicular
Cumulus Oophorus
When the ovum protrudes from the wall of the follicle into the follicular fluid
What is cumulus oophorus a sign of
That ovulation is about to occur
Endometrial changes in proliferative phase
Spirals arterioles undergo lengthening via mitosis
Endometrial changes after ovulation
Becomes edematous because of a progesterone influence
Endometrial changes without fertilization
Corpus luteum degenerates, estrogen and progesterone decrease
Because the endometrium shrinks causing circulation to be cut off
Endometrium with fertilization
Thickens because of increase in progesterone cause by corpus luteum
With high levels of estrogen and progesterone what happens
Hypothalamus is suppressed
Corpus Albicans
Forms when the corpus luteum degenerates
Causes a white scar to form
Corpus fibrosum
Occurs when a follicle does not rupture
Corpus luteum does not form
Liquid eventually is gradually absorbed, follicle regresses, scar forms
