The Menstrual Cycle and Hormones

How long does the Menstrual Cycle last for?

28 days.

How does the endocrine system work?

By being transmitted through the blood stream.

What is a hormone?

Chemical messenger which travel in the blood.

The endocrine system is quick to act but travels slowly. True or false?

False. It travels slowly and takes longer to act than the nervous system.

What is IVF?

IVF is In-vitro Fertilisation. The woman is given fertility drugs to stimulate your ovaries to develop several mature eggs for fertilisation. The eggs will be removed from the ovaries using a fine, hollow needle. An ultrasound is used to locate the eggs. Around the time your eggs are being collected, you partner needs to provide a fresh sample of sperm. The sperm is washed and the best quality sperm is extracted, ready to fertilise the eggs. The sperm is combined with the eggs in a dish containing a nutrient medium, which is then cultured in an incubator. Fertilised eggs will each become a ball of cells called an embryo. The healthiest embryos are chosen to be inserted into your uterus. Usually 1/2 embryos are transferred with a thin tone though your cervix and into your uterus. Any extra embryos are frozen for future use. If successful, one or two embryos will implant into your uterus wall and will grow. In about 2 weeks you can take a pregnancy test. Once pregnancy is confirmed, you should have an ultrasound scan at about 6 weeks.

How are hormones carried?

In the blood.

What are the advantages of IVF?

It gives couples that are infertile a chance of a baby.

How fast do hormones travel?

Much slower than nerves, at the speed of blood.

What are the disadvantages of IVF?

Multiple births are common: more likely to lose a baby. Reported increased risk of Cancer. Strong reaction to the hormones can result in abdominal pains, vomiting and dehydration.

What four hormones are involved in the Menstrual Cycle?

Oestrogen. Follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Progesterone. Luteinising hormone (LH). They are all produced in the pituitary gland.

Where do hormones go to?

Organs, where they have long lasting effects.

What do hormones control?

Puberty in girls and boys, menstrual cycle, sugar levels, water loss and many other factors.

Where do hormones comes from?

The glands.

Describe the Menstrual Cycle.

The menstrual cycle has four stages. Stage one is when the bleeding starts. The uterus lining breaks down for about four days. Stage two is when the lining of the uterus builds up again, from day 4-14, into a thick spongy layer of blood vessels ready to receive a fertilised egg. Stage three is when an egg is developed and then released from the ovary at about day 14. The final stage is when the wall is maintained for about 14 days, until day 28. If no fertilised egg has landed on the uterus wall by day 28 the spongy layer breaks down again and the whole cycle starts again. There are three hormones involved in this cycle, oestrogen, FSH and LH. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and causes the egg to mature. It also stimulates the ovaries to produce and oestrogen. Oestrogen is produced in the ovaries and causes the pituitary gland to produce LH. It also stops FSH being released. LH stands for luteinising hormone and stimulates an egg to be released on day 14.

Describe the contraceptive pill.

The pill contain the hormone oestrogen. It is taken daily to stop the woman getting pregnant. It works because of the oestrogen inhibits the production of FSH, which prevents the ovaries from releasing a new egg every month. When the pill was first made, there were a few side affects like weight, mood, and blood pressure changes due to lots of oestrogen in the pill. There are now less side affects as less oestrogen is in them. The pill is good because it allows couples to choose when they start a family. It is had because of the side affects that come with it.

The endocrine system has wide spread effects on different organs (although they only act on particular tissues or organs if the cells have the correct receptors). True or false?

True.

The response of the endocrine system is long lasting. True or false?

True.

What happens when you have too much sugar in your body?

You have a high blood sugar level, and an over supply of glucose. The pancreas promotes the realise of insulin, and it is then released. Glucose enters cells in muscle and other tissues. Muscle converts glucose to glycogen for storage. Or, converts glucose to glycogen which is stored in the liver. As a result, your blood sugar level is lowered.

What happens if you have too little sugar in your body.

You have a low blood sugar level, and a lack of glucose. The pancreas promotes the release of glucagon, and it is then released. Your liver converts glycogen to glucose. As a result, your blood sugar level is raised.