NUR 113

Menstrual Cycle Study Guide

1. Describe the role of the hypothalamus and its infuence on the menstrual cycle.
The hypothalamus stimulates the release of LHRH (GnRH) and transmits to the anterior
pituitary gland in response to signals received from the CNS. The pituitary gland then signals
the release of the gonadotropic hormones SH and LH. SH is responsi!le for the maturation of
the ovarian follicle. "s the follicle matures# it secretes increasing amounts of estrogen# $hich
enhances the development of the follicle. inal maturation of the follicle occurs $ith the aid of
LH. LH stimulates the release of progesterone from the corpus luteum. %rogesterone and
estrogen increases as they prepare the endometrium for possi!le pregnancy. &f fertili'ation does
not occur# the rising level of progesterone inhi!its the release of GnRH $hich inhi!its further
production of progesterone. "s !oth levels drop# the corpus luteum degenerates# the
endometrium !rea(s do$n as its cells die (apoptosis)# uterine contractions occur# and the
!leeding and cramps of menstruation !egin.
. !hat are the ma"or functions of the follicle stimulatin# hormone in the process of
o$ulation%
maturation of the ovarian follicle
stimulates the release of estrogens ) enhances the development of the follicle
oocyte gro$th $ithin the follicle
mature egg is released from the dominant follicle and the others disintegrate
* levels of estrogen signals the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of the mature egg
3. Describe the uterine chan#es durin# the four phases of the menstrual cycle.
+,NSTR-"L . endometrial areas are shed# $hile others remain
some of the remaining tips of the endometrial glads regenerate
endometrium in resting state at /01 mm deep
estrogen levels are lo$
cervical mucosa is scanty# viscous# and opa2ue
%R3L&,R"T&4, . endometrial glands enlarge# !ecoming t$isted and longer (* estrogen)
prominent !lood vessels and !ecome dilated
endometrium increases in thic(ness (reaches pea( !efore ovulation)
cervical mucosa !ecomes thin# clear# $atery# and more al(aline
ma(es mucosa more favora!le to spermato'oa &
near ovulation# the cervical mucosa increases elasticity (spinn!ar(eit)
at & ovulation the mucus stretches more than 5 cm
cervical mucosa pH increases from !elo$ 6.7 to 6.5 at ovulation (fern)
S,CR,T3R8 . the endometrium undergoes slight cellular gro$th
progesterone causes s$elling and gro$th that causes epithelium to fold
tissue glycogen is increased
glandular epithelial cells !egin to fill $ith cellular de!ris# t$ists# and dilates
glands secrete small amounts of endometrial fluid for fertili'ed ovum
uterine vascularity increases# providing a nourishing !ed for implantation
if implantation occurs# the endometrium continues to develop and even &
under the influence of progesterone &
&SCH,+&C . !egins if fertili'ation does not occur
corpus luteum degenerates# 9 estrogen and progesterone
areas of necrosis appear under the epithelial lining
e:tensive vascular changes occur
small !lood vessels rupture &
spiral arteries constrict and retract ) endometrial !lood deficiency (pale) &
!lood escapes into the stromal cells of the uterus
menstrual flo$ !egins thus restarting the menstrual cycle
after$ards# the !asal layer remains so that the tips of the glands can &
regenerate the ne$ functional endometrial layer
5. '$ulation usually occurs ((((( days prior to menses.