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PY6020 > The Female Reproductive System > Flashcards

The Female Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 2 anterior pituitary hormones involved in the menstruation cycle?

A
  1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

2. Leutinizing hormone (LH)

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2
Q

What are the 4 stages of the menstrual cycle?

A
  1. Follicular phase
  2. Ovulation phase
  3. Luteal phase
  4. Menstrual phase
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3
Q

What occurs during the follicular phase of menstruation?

A
  1. Pituitary glands make FSH which trigger granulosa cells to release estradiol
  2. This causes proliferation of the endometrium (and high oestrogen levels)
  3. A dominant follicle is selected to grow and release an egg
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4
Q

What occurs during the ovulation phase of menstruation?

A
  1. Ovulation phase is initiated by an LH surge = producing progesterone
  2. Granulosa cells produce inhibin, which reduces FSH levels
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5
Q

What occurs during the luteal phase of menstruation?

A
  1. The egg released from the follicular phase turns into a corpus luteum (like a ball of yellow cholesterol)
  2. During this phase, an LH surge occurs which causes high progesterone levels to be released (and small amounts of oestrogen)
  3. This LH surge allows the endometrium to thicken
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6
Q

How many days does the luteal phase last for?

A

14 days.

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7
Q

What happens to the corpus luteum in normal circumstances, vs if the person is pregnant?

A

If the person is not pregnant: programmed cell death occurs and the corpus luteum dies.

If the person is pregnant: the corpus luteum is saved

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8
Q

What occurs during the menstrual phase of menstruation?

A
  1. When the corpus luteum dies (in a non-pregnant woman), estrogen and progesterone levels also dramatically fall
  2. Inflammatory mediators like PGs are released to induce the shedding of the endometrium
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9
Q

How is ovulation tested?

A

It is measured with antibody kits against LH.

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10
Q

What occurs during menopause?

A

There are fewer follicles, so FSH control is reduced (FSH increased).

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11
Q

Why are there high FSH levels during menopause, and what does this eventually cause?

A

Because of the weakened negative feedback loop on the pituitary glands.
This eventually causes the follicles to not respond to LH/FSH, or estradiol

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12
Q

Which hormones does HRT aim to restore in menopausal women?

A

It aims to restore progesterone and estrogen to suppress increased FSH levels.

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13
Q

What are the benefits and risks of using HRT?

A

BENEFITS:

  1. Symptom relief
  2. Bone protection
  3. Cancer reduction

RISKS:

  1. Side effects
  2. Breast cancer if using for >5 years
  3. Patient anxiety
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14
Q

Why aren’t menopausal women only given estrogen replacements?
What is given instead?

A

Because estrogen replacement can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

Instead, progesterone and estrogen are given together to prevent the proliferation of the endometrium = no endometrial cancer

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15
Q

How does pregnancy rescue the corpus luteum from dying?

A

The embryo produces HCG, which prevents the corpus luteum from dying.

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16
Q

What occurs during day 21 of pregnancy?

A

The fertilised egg (now called a blastocyst) implants in the endometrium. This produces more HCG as it gets bigger.

17
Q

Which hormone maintains pregnancy from the corpus luteum, and the placenta?

A

Progesterone.

18
Q

What is the main target of action of the morning after pill?

A

It gives excess progesterone, which disrupts endometrial environment before implantation occurs.

19
Q

How does RU486 (ellaOne) work?

A

It is an SPRM (selective progesterone receptor modulator), so the corpus luteum does not maintain its environment for the placenta.

20
Q

What is the action of estrogen in the uterus, vagina, and cervix (for pregnancy specifically)?

A

Uterus: promotes endometrial growth
Vagina: thickens the epithelium
Cervix: increases cervical mucus, favouring sperm access

21
Q

What is an example of a progesterone only emergency contraceptive pill?

A

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle).

Act on the cervical mucus and stops implantation.

22
Q

What does the estrogen, and the progesterone do in combination contraceptive pills?

A

Estrogen: inhibits FSH release and suppresses follicle development

Progesterone: inhibits LH release, preventing ovulation and alters endometrium to prevent implantation

23
Q

What are some side effects of oral contraceptives?

A
  1. Weight gain
  2. Migraines
  3. Loss of libido
  4. Depression
  5. Risk of increased BP/DVT/stroke/breast cancer

PY6020 (22 decks)

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