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 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 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 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

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