MENSTRUAL CYCLE

• Major stage of puberty (between the ages of 8 and 13)

• From the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next takes about 28 days for most people (can differ)

DAY 1 - 7• First day of menstrual period

• Blood and tissues that have built up on the inner lining of the uterus flow of out of the vagina

• Last anywhere between 2-7 days • After menstruation, the body begins

releasing hormones that signal the uterus to get ready to receive a new egg ( 1/10 of a poppy seed)

DAY 8 - 13

• Hormones prepare an egg to be released from the ovary

• Lining of uterus thickens and becomes rich in blood and nutrients in case a sperm fertilizes the egg

• The fertilized egg would then attach to the lining

DAY 14

• Middle of the cycle ovulation occurs

• Ovulation is when the egg is released from one of the ovaries.

• During this time the egg will travel down the fallopian tube

Ovulation

• BEFORE ovulation – estrogen is released to stimulate the uterus to build the lining with extra blood and tissue to prepare for pregnancy

• If the egg is fertilized by the sperm cell it travels to the uterus and attaches

DAY 15-28• Most of the time the egg is not fertilized

• If the egg is not fertilized the egg will begin to dissolve

• Then the uterus no longer needs the extra blood and tissue

• Then the menstrual cycle starts over again

Women may experience…

• Fluid retention• Cramping• Mood swings• Weight gain• Breast tenderness• Diarrhea• Constipation

Hormones• FSH – Follicle Stimulation

Hormone • LH - Luteinizing hormone LH –

signals ovulation• Estrogen – produced

throughout the menstrual cycle• Progesterone – produced

during second half of cycle – contributes to thickening of the endometrium which is shed during the menstrual phase if fertilization does not take place

- Produced in the pituitary gland

-Produced by the follicles in the ovaries

http://kidshealth.org/misc/movie/bodybasics/bodybasics_female_repro.html

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-4363.asp