Understanding the Menstrual Cycle
Yes, it's hormonal. Yes, it's able to be learned.
Hormones...we all have 'em, fluctuation and all.
- LH (luteinizing hormone from pituitary gland): begins at a low level and increases at a slow rate and then spikes up on day 14 to begin ovulation.
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone from pituitary gland): begins at a low level and increases; reaches its peak on day 15, and continues to lower from there.
- Progesterone: levels stay very low until after day 14; afterwards, curves to its peak, and comes back down before day 28.
- Estrogen: curves down in the first seven days, reached its peak right before day 14, goes back down and up by day 21, and lowers by day 28.
Image Citation: Web. 30 Apr. 2015. <http://www.medscape.org>.
What do hormones affect?
- endometrial lining: Progesteron and estrogen thickens the lining from about .04-.06 inches to about .2-.3 inches thick to get ready for a possible pregnancy!
- follicular development: The follicle-stimulating hormone makes the growth of 3 to 30 follicles happen, where each one holds an egg. When FSH decreases, just one of the hormones keep growing.
The Effects of Pregnancy on the Reproductive System...
- hormone levels: progesterone is kept at an increasingly high level throughout the pregnancy. Estrogen also increases while someone is pregnant. LH and FSH are both inactive during pregnancy.
- endometrial lining: continues to thicken during pregnancy.
Image Citation: "The Female Ovulation Cycle." The Fertility Realm. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. <http://www.thefertilityrealm.com/ovulation-cycle.html>.