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General Overview of Female      Reproduction System

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Diagram of the Female Reproductive System

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Diagram of the Female Reproductive System

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Key Terms: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) 

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Key Terms: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) 

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Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

A hormone that causes the pituitary gland to create and secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The hormones that GnRH trigger the pituitary gland to create cause the ovaries to make estrogen and progesterone.

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Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

This hormone stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary. During the first half of the menstrual cycle (which is known as the follicular phase) there is a rise in FSH that is designed to develop the follicles in the ovaries so that one of those follicles releases a mature egg (which is the process of ovulation)

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There are multiple models people use to categorize and organize the menstrual cycle. A popular method is by dividing the menstrual cycle into the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Although the menstrual cycle is often presented as occurring in 28 days, the length of a menstrual cycle can vary from person to person. A cycle lasting between 21 days and 45 days is also considered normal. Thus, when phases of the menstrual cycle begin  and end are not the same for every person.

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LH Surge. (2013). Britannica . Retrieved 2022, from https://labpedia.net/luteinizing-hormone-lh-lutropin/ 

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Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

In conjunction with follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone plays a key role in stimulating the growth of follicles during the follicular phase

LH also plays a key role directly before ovulation in which a sudden increase in the amount of LH weakens the wall of the ovary and allows the mature egg to be swept into a fallopian tube. This is called the LH surge, and it's integral to ovulation.

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Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone During Menstrual Cycle LH Surge.  Retrieved 2022, https://womeninbalance.org/about-hormone-imbalance/ 

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Progesterone is classified as a steroid sex hormone.

High amounts of progesterone are produced by the Corpus Luteum after ovulation. Progesterone thickens and maintains the endometrium and thickens cervical mucus in order to prepare for a potentially fertilized egg.

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Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone During Menstrual Cycle LH Surge.  Retrieved 2022, https://womeninbalance.org/about-hormone-imbalance/ 

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Estrogen
Estrogen is classified as a steroid sex hormone and promotes female sex characteristics, such as the vagina, endometrium, vulva, and uterus during puberty.

Estrogen matures the egg before ovulation.

Estrogen is responsible for growing and developing the uterine lining that is shed during menstruation.

Estrogen levels increase and decrease twice throughout the menstrual cycle. .

The first increase in estrogen is during the middle of the follicular phase and the first decrease occurs after ovulation. Estrogen levels then rise again during the middle of the luteal phase and decrease at the end of the menstrual cycle.

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Why are some menstrual cycles irregular? 

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Why are some menstrual cycles irregular? 

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For the first few years after menstruation begins, long irregular cycles are common and not always a cause for concern.

The unpredictability during this time is due to what called the anovulatory cycles. That means the body isn’t ovulating monthly.

In teens, this often happens because their bodies haven’t yet settled into a pattern of regulars menstrual cycles. In time, the cycles should become shorter and more predictable. It is recommended to contact a physician if you have concerns about the frequency of your menstrual cycle.

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Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS relates to the psychological and physical symptoms that people assigned female at birth experience a few days to about two weeks before  their menstrual period.  The exact cause of each and every PMS symptom is unknown. However, the natural fluctuations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, especially estrogen and progesterone, are responsible for many of these symptoms. Many PMS symptoms are linked to estrogen and progesterone levels dropping after ovulation, which is when a mature egg is released from a follicle during about the midpoint of a menstrual cycle. Most people assigned female at birth experience some degree of PMS, however, how and when PMS manifests varies from person to person.

Physical symptoms of PMS can include: food cravings, weight gain, swollen and more sensitive breasts and nipples, abdominal bloating, weight gain, pain in lower abdomen or menstrual cramps, joint pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, constipation,  fatigue, headaches, oily skin, acne, and an increased amount of pimples.

Psychological symptoms of PMS can include: difficulty concentrating, irritability or anger, increased anxiety, high libido, low libido, feeling extremely sad or depressed, and sleeping issues like insomnia (or trouble falling asleep).

PMS, may also cause pre-existing conditions like depression, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel syndrome worsen.

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Menstrual cycle. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle

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Watch how ovulation happens. (2020, June 27). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/multimedia/ovulation/vid-20084729#:~:text=The egg travels through the,celled entity called a zygote.

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Irregular periods can be common at first - Mayo Clinic News Network. (2017, December 19). Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-irregular-periods-can-be-common-at-first/#:~:text=For the first few years,body isn't ovulating monthly

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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, February 25). Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 17, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20376780

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WebMD. (n.d.). Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): Symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention. WebMD. Retrieved April 17, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/women/menstrual-cramps#:~:text=Menstrual%20cramps%20happen%20because%20of,causes%20your%20pain%20and%20cramping

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Why does acne occur during the menstrual cycle?

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Why does acne occur during the menstrual cycle?

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The testosterone hormone is a factor in acne development because it triggers your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (or oil).  PMS acne often manifests on the lower portion of the face such as the chin and jawline.

Acne breakouts can happen from a few days to about 10 days before menstrual flow occurs. Estrogen and progesterone levels dropping causes the lining of the uterus (or endometrium) to break down, which exits the body as a menstrual  flow or period. Thus, this time frame is when estrogen is at its lowest.

Progesterone is another hormone responsible for premenstrual acne. When progesterone levels rise during the second half of the menstrual cycle, the hormone can make skin more oily. This can cause pores to swell shut, thereby trapping substances like oil, pollen, and dirt. When your skin is more oily, there's a greater amount of oil to get trapped within swollen pores, resulting in a higher rate or acne.

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Why does bloating occur during the menstrual cycle?

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Why does bloating occur during the menstrual cycle?

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Menstrual bloating is when the abdomen is heavy and swollen anywhere from a few days to 1 to 2 weeks before the onset of a period or at the start of a period. Menstrual bloating can also cause the belly to appear more prominent than before and is considered a very common symptom of PMS. Bloating before and during a period may result from changes in levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones.

About a week before a woman’s period starts, levels of progesterone fall. Reduced levels of progesterone cause the uterus to shed its lining, which is what causes menstrual bleeding.

Research suggests that changes in progesterone and estrogen levels causes the body to retain more water and salt. The body’s cells become swollen with water, causing the feeling of bloating.

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Why do cramps occur during the menstrual cycle?

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Why do cramps occur during the menstrual cycle?

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Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many have menstrual cramps just before and during their periods.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most widespread type of period pain. These cramps are not caused by another condition. After estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the endometrium (or lining of the uterus) is broken down. The uterus tightens and relaxes to allow the broken down endometrium, blood, and mucus (or menstrual flow) to exit the body through the vagina. The uterus contracts thanks to a chemical called prostaglandin. Having too much prostaglandins in the body can cause cramps because when the uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels. This prevents oxygen to travel to the uterus, which causes pain and cramping.

Common ways to lessen or alleviate period cramps include exercise, applying a hot water bottle to the lower back or stomach, and taking a hot bath.

Period cramps typically begin 1 to 3 days before a period occurs. They often peak 24 hours after the onset of a period and usually lessen in intensity 2 to 3 days afterwards.