Health - Menstrual Cycle
how long does menstrual period last
3-7days (possibly longer)
can a woman get pregnant without penetration or ejaculation?
YES
barrier methods
block sperm from entering uterus; condoms - male and female; diaphragm; cervical cap; abstinence
methods of achieving or avoiding pregnancy
charting methods; birth control- to prevent ovulation; barrier methods
remnants of follicle
corpus luteum, "yellow body" because it appears yellow on the ovary
Biological valve (in menstrual cycle)
created with estrogen-stimulated mucus, essential to human fertility; mucus arranges itself in parallel strands, forming swimming channels for the sperm
how long is menstrual cycle
day 1 of bleeding to day 1 of the next time of bleeding; length tends to be irregular; can be 18 to 40 days between cycles
gestational carrier (Surrogate)
egg of woman and the intended father's sperm are used to create an embryo (via IVF) that is transferred into and carried by the surrogate mother. The resulting child is genetically related to its parents while the surrogate mother has no genetic relation
Estrogen and menstrual cycle
estrogen builds up the lining of the uterus; estrogen rises in 1st half of menstrual cycle - pre-ovulatory phase
pregnancy can result from any genital contact on days of fertility
even without penetration or ejaculation; pre-ejaculatory fluid has very high concentration of sperm; if it comes in to contact with cervical mucus, which is present at the opening of the vagina, sperm can find their way to the fallopian tubes and a pregnancy can result
intrauterine insemination (IUI)
fertility treatment that uses a catheter to place a number of washed sperm directly into the uterus. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization
pre-ovulatory phase
first day of menstrual bleeding until the day of ovulation
other methods of achieving pregnancy
in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), Gestational Carrier (Surrogate)
progesterone in menstrual cycle
increases after ovary releases an egg (ovulation); helps the estrogen keep the lining of the uterus thick and ready for a fertilized egg
progesterone and the lining of the uterus
keeps lining of uterus thick and ready for a fertilized egg; post=ovulatory phase mucus production stops; if fertilization does not occur progesterone level drops and bleeding begins. Level of progesterone in lining of uterus is vital to pregnancy; luteal development begins with production of progesterone
ovulation
one or two eggs selected to develop toward ovulation; follicle ruptures when it is mature and is released from ovary (ovulation)
birth control to prevent ovulation
pills, patches, shots
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
process by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body and then transferred back to the uterus
What is the menstrual cycle?
series of changes of ovulation and menstruation a woman's body goes through to prepare for pregnancy
follicle
small, cyst-like structure where eggs develop - follicle grows and develops prior to ovulation; follicle ruptures when it is mature and is released from ovary (ovulation
charting methods
use a woman's cycle/body to determine fertility; creighton model, rhythm method, basal body temperature
what happens during menstrual cycle
uterus grows a new lining(endometrium) to get ready for fertilized egg(zygote); if there is no fetilized egg to begin a pregnancy, the uterus sheds its lining - called a menstrual period - bleeding 3-7days (possibly longer)
common symptoms prior to menstrual cycle
water retention, bloating, acne breakout, cramping, tender/sore breasts, fatigue, irritability