Menstrual Cycle PDF

 Prepared BY

Prof. Dr. Tahany Amr

Dr. Safaa Abdalluh

Faculty of Nursing – Menoufia University Out line: Introduction Definition The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis Ovarian cycle Menstrual cycle Cervical cycle Characteristics of normal menstruation Introductio...

 Prepared BY

Prof. Dr. Tahany Amr

Dr. Safaa Abdalluh

Faculty of Nursing – Menoufia University Out line: Introduction Definition The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis Ovarian cycle Menstrual cycle Cervical cycle Characteristics of normal menstruation Introduction When a female reaches puberty she usually has a menstrual period every month. The start of periods is known as menarche. Menarche doesn't happen until all the parts of a girls reproductive system have matured and are working together. This event occurs until the woman reaches menopause This ‘period’ is apart of a cyclical process which prepares the woman's body for the development of a fertilized egg. The process is controlled by several hormones. Definition:  Menstruation is a visible manifestation of cyclic, physiologic uterine bleeding due to shedding of the endometrium  I t o c c u r s b e t w e e n m e n a r c h e ( f ir s t menstruation) and menopause (physiological cessation of menstruation).  MENSTRUAL PHASE  Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is marked by th e on s et of men s tru ation. Du rin g th e menstrual phase of the uterine cycle, the s u p e r f ic i a l f u n c t i o n a l l a y e r o f t h e endometrium separates leaving the basal layer which contains the basal parts of the glands to allow for regeneration of the endometrium because of low levels of estrogen & progesterone.  2- THE PROLIFERATIVE OR PRE-OVULATORY PHASE  9-10 days, starts after the end of menstruation and ends at the time of ovulation on day 14.  It is due to the effect of estrogen produced by the growing Graaf ia n follicle and is characterized by: a. Thickness of endometrium, 3-4 mm.
. 3- SECRETORY OR POSTOVULATORY PHASE  14 ±2 days. Its duration is fixed irrespective of the length of the cycle. It begins at ovulation and ends at the onset of menstruation. The endometrium is under the inf luence of estrogen and progesterone produced by the corpus luteum and is characterized by:  a. Thickness of endometrium, 6-8 mm. Cervical cycle Cyclic changes in cervical mucus In the Follicular phase and under the control of Estrogen the cervical mucus becomes: - Excessive watery (copius) , less viscid, clear, a cellular, stretchable up to 10 cm (positive Spinbarkeit) and shows a positive fern test (high electrolytes). - These changes are maximum at the time of ovulation. In the Luteal phase maximum 1 week after ovulation and under the control of Progesterone the cervical mucus becomes: - Scanty, thick, viscid, cellular, non-stretchable and gives a negative fern test.