Puberty and the Menstrual cycle

Question 1

What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 1

stage 1- menstruation starts. The uterus lining starts to break down for 4 days
stage 2- The uterus lining builds back up. From day 4 to day 14, it becomes a thick spongy layer full of blood vessels, ready to receive a fertilised egg
stage 3- An egg is developed and released at day 14- ovulation
stage 4- the wall is maintained from 14 days to 28 days and if no fertilized egg lands on the uterus wall, it breaks down and starts again

Question 2

What is FSH?

Answer 2

Causes the egg to mature and stimulates the ovaries to produces oestrogen

Question 3

What does oestrogen do in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 3

It causes the lining of the uterus to grow and stimulates the release of LH and inhibits the release of FSH

Question 4

What is LH?

Answer 4

Stimulates the release of the egg on day 14

Question 5

What is progesterone?

Answer 5

maintains the lining of the uterus for the second half of the cycle. When the progesterone level falls, the lining breaks down. It also inhibits the release of LH and FSH