Stages of Menstrual Cycle
1. Menstruation
- uterine lining + unfertilised egg → break down and are shed with some blood
2. After Menstruation
- ovary produce hormone called oestrogen
- oestrogen → causes uterine lining to repair and thicken
- high oestrogen concentration → leads to ovulation
3. Ovulation
- on 14th day → an ovary → releases an egg into the oviduct → through process known as ovulation
- 2 ovaries take turns to release an egg
4. After Ovulation
- ovaries produce hormone → progesterone

Functions of progesterone:
→ prevents ovulation + further development of eggs
→ causes uterine lining to thicken further, preparing it for implantation and growth of embryo.

- if no fertilisation occurs → progesterone production decreases.
- uterine lining breaks down and whole cycle repeats
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Changes relating to hormones and uterine lining during menstrual cycle


Note

  • since implantation (if fertilisation occurs) happens 5 days after fertilisation, the level of progesterone peaks at around day 22 → refer to the function of progesterone which is to thicken uterine lining further which prepares uterus for implantation.
  • must come down at around day 27 → prepare for menstruation again.

Sample

  • when answering question → assume menstrual cycle of same female remains same every month