*

* PHYSIOLOGY :
4 body parts are involved in the physiology of the menstrual cycle :

A) Hypothalamus B) Pituitary Gland C) Ovaries D) Uterus

A)

HYPOTHALAMUS

-The release of GnRH by the Hypothalamus initiates the menstrual cycle.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), also known as Luteinizinghormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)

-This causes a chemical reaction in the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of FSH and LH
)Follicle-stimulating hormone Luteinizing hormone)

B) PITUITARY GLAND -Under the influence of GnRH, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces two hormones that act on the ovaries to influence the menstrual structure. 1) FSH- a hormone that is active early in the cycle and is responsible for menstruation of the ovum.It is also the development of one egg in a follicle in one of the ovaries. 2) LH- the hormone that is most Active in midpoint and is responsible for Ovulation or release of mature egg from the ovary.

C. Ovulation-

*The ovaries have two main reproductive functions in

the body. They produce oocytes (eggs) for fertilization and they produce the reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. of each menstrual cycle. In the ovary, all eggs are initially enclosed in a single layer of cells known as a follicle which supports the egg. Over time, these eggs begin to mature so that one is released from the ovary in each menstrual cycle. As the eggs mature, the cells in the follicle rapidly divide and the follicle becomes progressively larger

*The ovaries release an egg (oocyte) at the midway point

* As the follicles develop, they produce the

hormone estrogen. Once the egg has been released at ovulation, the empty follicle that is left in the ovary is called the corpus luteum. This then releases the hormones progesterone and estrogen . These hormones prepare the lining of the uterus for potential pregnancy in the event of the released egg being fertilized. If the released egg is not fertilized and pregnancy does not occur during a menstrual cycle, the corpus luteum breaks down and the secretion of estrogen and progesterone stops. Because these hormones are no longer present, the lining of the womb starts to fall away and is the lining of the womb starts to fall away and is removed from the body through menstruation.

Discomforts of Menstruation * Breast tenderness and feeling of fullness * Tendency towards fatigue * Temperament and mood changes because of hormonal influence and decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone * Discomfort in pelvic area, lower back and legs * Retained fluids and weight gain

Abnormalities of Menstruation * Amenorrhea absence of menstrual flow * Dysmenorrhea painful menstruation * Oligomenorrhea scanty menstruation * Polymenorrhea too frequent menstruation * Menorrhagia -excessive menstrual bleeding * Metrorrhagia bleeding between periods of less than 2 weeks * Hypomenorrhea abnormally short menstruation * Hypermenorrhea abnormally long menstruation