Menstrual Cycle

1
Menstrual Cycle

• http//kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/men
  struation.html

2
Oocyte Development

• In females, meiosis, the production of female
  oocytes, begins before birth.
• Soon, the process is interrupted.
• Millions of potential ova stop developing in
  prophase I, the first step of cell division and
  remain suspended at this stage until puberty.
• At this time, once a month one cell resumes
  meiosis.
• The process stops beginning meiosis II.

3

• When the oocyte is released during ovulation.
• Meiosis II is not completed until the egg is
  penetrated by the sperm.

4
Hormones

• EstrogenCauses the female sex characteristics to
  develop.
• Both men and women produce estrogen
• ProgesteroneWhen a woman becomes pregnant, this
  hormone stops menstruation and converts the body
  into a baby feeding machine.
• FSHControls the growth of eggs and sperm.__
• LHStimulates the release of the egg during
  ovulation.
• These hormones are controlled by the hypothalamus
  and the pituitary gland.

5
Menarche

• When a woman begins menstruation her body is now
  physically prepared to have a baby of its own.
• The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones.
• The entire cycle from the beginning of one cycle
  to the beginning of the next takes about 28 days.

6
The period

• The period starts the cycle.
• During the period, blood and tissues rich in
  nutrients that have built up on the inner lining
  of the uterus flow out of the vagina.
• The build up of blood and tissues was in
  preparation to care for a baby in case a sperm
  impregnated the egg during the last cycle.
• The period or menstruation can last 2 to 7 days.

7

• Baby girls are born with ovaries, fallopian
  tubes, and a uterus.
• The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either
  side of the uterus (womb) in the lowest part of
  the abdomen called the pelvis.
• They contain thousands of eggs, or ova.
• The two fallopian tubes are long and thin.

8

• Each fallopian tube stretches from an ovary to
  the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the
  middle of the pelvis.
• The muscles in a female's uterus are powerful and
  are able to expand to allow the uterus to
  accommodate a growing fetus and then help push
  the baby out during labor.

9

• After menstruation, the womans body starts
  releasing hormones.
• This signals the uterus that it is now ready to
  receive a new egg.
• A human egg is about 1/10 the size of a poppy
  seed.

10

• Next, hormones prepare an egg to be released from
  the ovary.
• The lining of the uterus again thickens with
  blood and nutrients in case the egg gets
  fertilized by a sperm.
• The fertilized egg would attach itself to this
  lining providing nutrients for the developing
  embryo and fetus.

11
Ovulation

• About the middle of the cycle ovulation occurs.
• Ovulation is when the egg is released from the
  ovaries.
• Over the next few days the egg will travel down
  the fallopian tube.
• If the egg is not fertilized during this time, it
  begins to dissolve.

12

• If the egg isnt fertilized the uterus no longer
  needs the extra blood and nutrients.
• Hormone levels change signaling the blood vessels
  that nourish the lining to constrict and
  temporarily cut off the blood supply.
• Its the change in blood supply that causes the
  lining to shed, ending one menstrual cycle and
  beginning a new one.

13
Menarche

• The first menstrual cycle is referred to as a
  menarche.
• Menarche usually occurs about two years after a
  woman's breasts develop and between 4 and 6
  months after the growth of their pubic and
  underarm hair.
• The age of menarche in most North American women
  is around 12 or 13.
• Her first period can come anytime between 9 and
  16, depending upon height, weight, genetics and
  cultural background.
• Early menarche is occurring more and more - girls
  as young as 8 have been known to get their
  periods.

14
Menstrual Cycle

• Each woman has her own individual cycle, usually
  lasting between 21 and 40 days.
• The beginning of each cycle is marked by her
  period.
• The period usually lasts between 3 and 7 days.
• Menstrual blood will change color slightly
  throughout the duration of each period.

15
Menstrual Cramps

• Women get menstrual cramps because during
  menstruation the uterus contracts.
• Menstrual pain can range from mild to
  debilitating.
• One in four women get cramping severe enough that
  they may have to miss work or school.
• Along with menstrual cramps, many women also
  experience menstrual migraines, backaches,
  bloating and sore breasts.

16
Why Bloating

• The bloating during menstruation is caused by
  water that the body retains.

17
Hormone Release

• The emotional changes during a womans period can
  make her tense, angry, or sad.
• This is because of the hormones her body is
  releasing.
• Fortunately, these symptoms won't last long.

18

• Certain factors are thought to affect the age of
  menarche.
• Cultural and genetic factors play an important
  role in determining how fast your body will
  develop.
• Girls from different races all seem to develop at
  a slightly different rate.

19
Amenorrhea

• Although women get their periods at different
  ages, it becomes a health issue if it has not
  happened by age 16.
• Sometimes external factors or complications may
  prevent your period from arriving when it should.
• Rest assured, every girl develops at a different
  pace.

20

• If you haven't gone through menarche by the time
  you are 15 or 16, though, you should make an
  appointment with your doctor to determine if
  there are any underlying problems.
• Many girls who are underweight or undernourished
  will not get their periods.
• It is generally thought that a certain weight
  (around 100 pounds) must be attained in order for
  your brain to send signals to your body to start
  menstruating.

21
Birth Control Pills and Menstruation

• Women who experience extremely severe menstrual
  cramps, as well as irregular periods, are often
  prescribed the birth control pill.
• This is because the hormones in oral
  contraceptives help to regulate your menstrual
  cycle as well as reduce the typical symptoms of
  menstruation.

22

• Many women will claim that ibuprofen is their
  best friend when they have their menstrual
  period.
• Over-the-counter medications that contain
  ibuprofen or naproxen work quickly to relieve
  menstrual cramps and can also help out with
  backaches, bloating and tender breasts -- not to
  mention a menstrual migraine.

23

• Following a healthy, balanced diet that is high
  in zinc, calcium and B vitamins, especially
  vitamin B6.
• Cut back on salt, sugar and caffeine intake
  during the week leading up to your period.

24

• Heat helps, so throw a heating pad into the
  microwave or fill a hot water bottle and place it
  on your stomach or back. However, for some women,
  a build-up of blood in their pelvis may be the
  culprit behind their cramps, in which case an ice
  pack is actually more useful than a heat pack.
  The cold from the ice pack works to draw the
  blood out of the pelvis and towards the
  extremities

25

• Heat helps, so throw a heating pad into the
  microwave or fill a hot water bottle and place it
  on your stomach or back. However, for some women,
  a build-up of blood in their pelvis may be the
  culprit behind their cramps, in which case an ice
  pack is actually more useful than a heat pack.
  The cold from the ice pack works to draw the
  blood out of the pelvis and towards the
  extremities

26
Pineapples

• Fresh pineapple juice contains a lot of
  bromelain, an enzyme that is thought to help
  relax muscles and therefore help with menstrual
  cramps.

27

• http//kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/men
  struation.html
• www.epigee.org/menstruation/menarche.html