15.2.7

Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle

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The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a monthly cycle, which involves the maturation and release of an egg. If sexual intercourse has occurred, this can result in pregnancy.

Key hormones

Key hormones

  • The menstrual cycle is controlled by four hormones from the endocrine system:
    • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
    • Oestrogen
    • Luteinising Hormone (LH)
    • Progesterone
Stages

Stages

  • The menstrual cycle can be divided into four stages depending on the levels of the hormones.
Eggs

Eggs

  • A female is born with all of her eggs ready, but only one egg will mature each month once the female reaches puberty.

Menstrual Hormones

The menstrual cycle is controlled by four hormones from the endocrine system. These hormones are:

FSH

FSH

  • FSH stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone.
  • It is released by the pituitary gland and causes an egg in the ovary to mature.
  • FSH also stimulates (encourages) the production of oestrogen.
Oestrogen

Oestrogen

  • Oestrogen is produced in the ovaries and causes the development of the thick, spongy uterus lining.
  • Oestrogen also stimulates the production of Luteinising Hormone (LH) and inhibits (stops) the production of FSH.
LH

LH

  • LH stands for Luteinising Hormone.
  • LH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of a mature egg on Day 14 of the menstrual cycle.
  • This release is called ovulation.
Progesterone

Progesterone

  • Progesterone is produced in the ovaries after ovulation.
  • It is responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus during days 14-28.
  • When progesterone levels drop, this triggers the breakdown of the lining. This marks day 1 of the next menstrual cycle. Progesterone also inhibits (stops) the release of LH and FSH.
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1

Unity & Diversity - Molecules

1.1

Water

1.1.1Water & Hydrogen Bonding1.1.2IB Multiple Choice - Water & Hydrogen Bonding1.1.3Extended Response - Water
1.2

DNA Structure & Replication

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1.3

Transcription & Gene Expression

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1.4

Translation

1.4.1Translation1.4.2Retroviruses1.4.3Scientific Practices: Coronavirus1.4.4IB Multiple Choice - Translation
2

Unity & Diversity - Cells

2.1

The Origin of Cells

2.1.1Origins - Endosymbiosis
2.2

Introduction to Cells

2.2.1Introduction to Cells2.2.2Cell Size & Surface Area2.2.3Surface Area to Volume Ratio2.2.4Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Cells2.2.5Stem Cells2.2.6Stem Cells in Disease
2.3

Ultrastructure of Cells

2.3.1Golgi, Lysosomes & Ribosomes2.3.2Cell Walls & Vacuole2.3.3Prokaryotes2.3.4Binary Fission
2.4

Cell Division

2.4.1The Cell Cycle2.4.2Mitosis2.4.3Regulation of the Cell Cycle2.4.4End of Topic Quiz - The Cell Cycle2.4.5IB Multiple Choice - The Cell Cycle2.4.6Extended Response - Mitosis
2.5

Structure of DNA & RNA

2.5.1DNA & RNA
2.6

DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation

2.6.1Protein Synthesis2.6.2Transcription & Translation2.6.3End of Topic Test - DNA, Genes & Protein Synthesis2.6.4Exam-Style Question - Protein Synthesis2.6.5End of Topic Test - Coronavirus Translation2.6.6IB Multiple Choice - Transcription2.6.7IB Multiple Choice - Translation
2.7

Cell Respiration

2.7.1Overview of Respiration2.7.2Anaerobic Respiration2.7.3End of Topic Test - Anaerobic Respiration2.7.4Respiration Experiments2.7.5End of Topic Test - Respiration2.7.6IB Multiple Choice - Respiration
2.8

Photosynthesis

2.8.1Overview of Photosynthesis
2.9

Viruses

2.9.1Viruses
3

Unity & Diversity - Organisms

3.1

Diversity of Organisms

3.1.1Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance3.1.2Chromosomal Basis of Inherited Disorders3.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Chromosomal Inheritance
3.2

Evidence for Evolution

3.2.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA3.2.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography3.2.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution3.2.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
3.3

Natural Selection

3.3.1Introduction3.3.2Evolutionary Fitness3.3.3Natural Selection & Variation3.3.4End of Topic Quiz - Natural Selection3.3.5IB Multiple Choice - Natural Selection3.3.6Speciation
4

Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

4.1

Classification

4.1.1Introduction to Biodiversity4.1.2Keystone Species4.1.3Courtship & Ancestry4.1.4Classification
4.2

Cladistics

4.2.1Evolutionary Relationships4.2.2IB Multiple Choice - Species & Taxonomy
4.3

Evolution & Speciation

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4.4

Conservation of Biodiversity

4.4.1Coming Soon!
5

Form & Function - Molecules

5.1

Carbohydrates & Lipids

5.1.1Monosaccharides5.1.2Disaccharides & Polysaccharides5.1.3Triglycerides & Phospholipids5.1.4Cellulose5.1.5Starch & Glycogen
5.2

Proteins

5.2.1Structure & Functions of Proteins
6

Form & Function - Cells

6.1

Membranes & Membrane Transport

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6.2

Organelles & Compartmentalization

6.2.1Eukaryotic Cells & Organelles6.2.2Subcellular Components & Organelles
6.3

Cell Specialization

6.3.1Cell Specialization
7

Form & Function - Organisms

7.1

Gas Exchange

7.1.1Lung Structure & Alveoli7.1.2Ventilation7.1.3Lung Disease7.1.4Lung Disease Data
7.2

Transport

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7.3

Muscle & Motility

7.3.1Skeletal Muscle7.3.2Sliding Filament Theory7.3.3Contraction
8

Form & Function - Ecosystems

8.1

Species, Communities & Ecosytems

8.1.1Population Dynamics8.1.2Communities & Measuring Diversity8.1.3Relationships Between Populations8.1.4Overview of Ecosystems8.1.5Nutrient Cycles8.1.6Fertilisers8.1.7Eutrophication8.1.8Chi-Squared Test
8.2

Energy Flow

8.2.1Energy8.2.2Energy Flow8.2.3Biomass & Food Chains8.2.4Heterotrophs & Autotrophs
8.3

Carbon Cycle

8.3.1Carbon Cycle
8.4

Climate Change

8.4.1Carbon Dioxide8.4.2The Greenhouse Effect8.4.3Global Warming8.4.4Maintaining Biodiversity
9

Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

9.1

Enzymes

9.1.1Enzymes9.1.2Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity9.1.3Enzyme-Controlled Reactions9.1.4End of Topic Test - Enzymes
9.2

Metabolism

9.2.1Molecules to Metabolism
9.3

Cell Respiration

9.3.1Glycolysis9.3.2Aerobic Respiration
9.4

Photosynthesis

9.4.1Light-Dependent Reaction9.4.2Light-Independent Reaction9.4.3End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis Reactions9.4.4Limiting Factors9.4.5Photosynthesis Experiments9.4.6End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis9.4.7End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis
10

Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

10.1

Chemical Signalling

10.1.1Coming Soon!
10.2

Neural Signalling

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10.3

Adaptation to Environment

10.3.1Coming Soon!
10.4

Ecological Niches

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11

Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

11.1

Integration of Body Systems

11.1.1Plant Tropisms
11.2

Defence Against Disease

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12

Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1

Populations & Communities

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12.2

Transfers of Energy & Matter

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13

Continuity & Change - Molecules

13.1

DNA Replication

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13.2

Protein Synthesis

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13.3

Mutation & Gene Editing

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14

Continuity & Change - Cells

14.1

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14.2

Water Potential

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15

Continuity & Change - Organisms

15.1

Inheritance

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15.2

Homeostasis

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16

Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

16.1

Natural Selection

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16.2

Stability & Change

16.2.1Coming Soon!
16.3

Climate Change

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Practice questions on Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    How frequent is the menstrual cycle?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What happens on day one of the next menstrual cycle?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    In females, puberty triggers the menstrual cycle. Which of the following are true of the menstrual cycle?True / false
  4. 4
    How do menstrual hormones affect the production of one another?Flashcard
  5. 5
    Which hormone causes an egg in the ovary to mature?Multiple choice
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Human Reproductive Systems

Kidneys & Osmoregulation