1. Introduction: Menstrual Cycle
Activity 1

2. Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
There are four phases of the menstrual cycle
1. Menstruation (period)
2. Follicular Phase
3. Ovulation
4. Luteal Phase
In this activity, you and your group members will explore these four phases of the menstrual cycle

4. Phase 1: Menstruation Commonly know as a woman’s “period”
During this phase:
1. the lining of the uterus wall known as the endometrium breaks away
2. The menstrual fluids from this breakage such as blood, cells from the uterus lining and mucus exit the vagina
The length of a period is between 3-7 days

5. As you can, as the endometrium begins to fall away, the menstrual fluids exit the uterus area and through the vagina.
On average, a woman will lose only about 2 tablespoons of blood each period.

6. Phase 2: Follicular Phase
This phase actually starts on the first day of menstruation and ends with ovulation.
During this period, the ovaries produce 5 to 20 structures called “follicles”
These are tiny nodules or cysts
Each follicle houses an immature egg
Only one of the follicles will mature into an egg
The others will die

7. The growth of the follicle stimulates (causes or promotes) the lining of the uterus to thicken.
Uterus wall is thickening
The individual yellow circles are each of the follicles produced in the ovaries.

8. Phase 3: Ovulation
Ovulation occurs when a mature egg breaks out of the follicle and exits the ovary
This generally occurs about 2 weeks before menstruation starts.
The egg makes its way into the fallopian tube and towards the uterus
This is when a woman is most likely to get pregnant.

9. The life span of the egg is only 24 hours
The life span of the egg is only 24 hours. Unless it meets a sperm while traveling in the fallopian tube, it will die!

10. Phase 4: Luteal Phase
The follicle that the mature egg was in transforms into a structure know as corpus luteum
The corpus luteum releases the hormone progesterone and a small amount of oestrogen.
The release of these hormones keep the lining of the uterus thick

11. There are two scenarios that can take place during the lateal phase
The egg is fertilized
The egg is NOT Fertilized
While traveling in the fallopian tube, the mature egg is fertilized by a sperm cell
The fertilized implants itself on the uterus wall
If no health complications occur, then the woman will become pregnant
The egg travels into the uterus and disintegrates
The corpus luteum dies
The lining of the uterus wall falls away
This is the start of menstruation again