1. Menstrual Cycle Regulation
(a little more complicated than when you learned it in health class!)

2. Meet the Female hormones
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
released from anterior pituitary
stimulates egg development (ripening) & hormone release
LH (Leuteinizing Hormone)
peak release = release of egg (ovulation)
Estrogen
released from ovary cells around developing egg (follicle)
stimulates growth of lining of uterus
decreasing levels causes menstruation
Progesterone
released from “corpus luteum” in ovaries
(cells that used to take care of developing egg)
stimulates blood supply to lining of uterus

3. Egg maturation in ovary
releases progesterone
maintains uterus lining
produces estrogen

4. Menstrual cycle Controlled by interaction of 5 hormones
Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
FSH & LH
estrogen
progesterone

12. Female reproductive cycle
Feedback
Female reproductive cycle
egg matures &
is released (ovulation)
builds up uterus lining
estrogen
ovary
corpus luteum
progesterone
FSH & LH
fertilized egg (zygote)
maintains uterus lining
HCG
yes
pituitary gland
corpus luteum
pregnancy
GnRH no
progesterone
corpus luteum breaks down
progesterone drops
menstruation
maintains uterus lining
hypothalamus