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 1 - 7

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 8 - 13

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 15-28

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

http://kidshealth.org/misc/movie/bodybasic
s/bodybasics_female_repro.html
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/healthtopics/emergency-contraception-morningafter-pill-4363.asp