Menstrual Cycle, Fertilization, and Reproductive Health: Key Concepts
and Methods
Mensuration - correct answer sex possible at anytime, bleeding after ovulation
estrous cycle - correct answer Animals only have sex when ovulating, no menstruation.
length of menstrual cycle - correct answer Ranges from 20 to 36 days, with an average of 28
days.
phases of the menstrual cycle - correct answer Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal, and Menstration
What happens in each phase: Follicular - correct answer High FSH from pituitary Pituitary gland
secretes FSH causing an egg in a follicle to mature; follicle releases estrogen to prepare
reproductive tissues and thicken the uterine lining.
What happens in each phase: Ovulation - correct answer Surge in LH triggered by high estrogen
levels causes the mature egg to be released. Ovulation can sometimes be felt as
"Mittelschmerz," a sharp pain or cramp
What happens in each phase: Luteal - correct answer Follicle becomes the corpus luteum,
secreting progesterone to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. If no fertilization, hormone
levels fall, corpus luteum breaks down, and uterine lining can't sustain itself, leading to
menstruation. Usually fixed (about 14 days)
What happens in each phase: Menstration - correct answer Drop in estrogen and progesterone
causes the uterus to shed its lining, resulting in menstrual flow (blood, degenerated cells,
mucus)
Why does the follicle ripen? - correct answer FSH from the pituitary gland signals the follicle to
mature an egg. The follicle ripens to release a mature egg for potential fertilization and also
produces estrogen that helps prepare the uterus for possible implantation.
What is Anovulatory? - correct answer Refers to cycles where no ovulation occurs, meaning no
egg is released but mensuration may still occur.
Toxic shock syndrom: causes? - correct answer Caused by a bacterial infection (often
Staphylococcus aureus), often associated with tampon use.
Toxic shock syndrom: symptoms? - correct answer high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, can progress
to death.
Toxic shock syndrom: prevention? - correct answer Change tampons every 6-8 hours, avoid
high-absorbency tampons, and be mindful of tampons' chemical composition.
Basal body temperature - correct answer Body temp drops the day of ovulation and rises
sharply the day after, charting can help identify fertile days.
, Cervical mucus method - correct answer Thick and alkaline before ovulation (blocks bacteria),
becomes thinner and more alkaline during ovulation (facilitates sperm movement), "fern
pattern" is observed pre-ovulation when dried.
Calendar method - correct answer Track cycle length for several months; by identifying
patterns, estimate the fertile window. Not precise, but can correspond with temperature and
mucus observations.
Treatment for menstrual cramps - correct answer aspirin, masturbation (orgasm relieves pelvic
tension), hormones, or surgery (in severe cases, e.g., endometriosis).
Cause of menstrual cramps - correct answer prostaglandins (hormone like substances), higher
levels means more pain
Primary amenorrhea - correct answer No mensuration by age 18
Secondary amenorrhea - correct answer Discontinuation of menstruation in a previously
menstruating female.
Causes of secondary amenorrhea - correct answer Pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth control,
significant weight loss, eating disorders, excessive exercise, stress, hormonal imbalances.
Cultural influence on mensuration - correct answer Often regard menstruation as "unclean";
women may be isolated, barred from activities, or considered unfit for sex during menstruation.
These attitudes can exaggerate emotional distress or PMS symptoms, reinforcing negative self
perceptions.
Cycles of men's bodies - correct answer Men do have cycles related to testosterone or sperm
count but they are not as noticeable as women's cycles
Andropause - correct answer Male version of menopause. Slow decline of testosterone and
sperm count with age, but men may produce sperm into old age.
Climacteric - correct answer Transitioning period before menopause where women go from
childbearing years to non-childbearing years, typically from ages 45-60.
Erikson's Theory on mid-life crisis - correct answer Involves personal turmoil, sudden lifestyle
changes, search for meaning, and sometimes changing careers or relationships. About 25% of
men and women report experiencing this.
Sperm: ejaculate numbers - correct answer Average ejaculate contains about 200 million
sperm, in a teaspoon of semen.
Sperm: structure - correct answer Head (genetic info), mid-piece (energy production), tail
(flagellum, movement).
Sperm: lifespan - correct answer Up to 5 days in female reproductive tract.
and Methods
Mensuration - correct answer sex possible at anytime, bleeding after ovulation
estrous cycle - correct answer Animals only have sex when ovulating, no menstruation.
length of menstrual cycle - correct answer Ranges from 20 to 36 days, with an average of 28
days.
phases of the menstrual cycle - correct answer Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal, and Menstration
What happens in each phase: Follicular - correct answer High FSH from pituitary Pituitary gland
secretes FSH causing an egg in a follicle to mature; follicle releases estrogen to prepare
reproductive tissues and thicken the uterine lining.
What happens in each phase: Ovulation - correct answer Surge in LH triggered by high estrogen
levels causes the mature egg to be released. Ovulation can sometimes be felt as
"Mittelschmerz," a sharp pain or cramp
What happens in each phase: Luteal - correct answer Follicle becomes the corpus luteum,
secreting progesterone to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. If no fertilization, hormone
levels fall, corpus luteum breaks down, and uterine lining can't sustain itself, leading to
menstruation. Usually fixed (about 14 days)
What happens in each phase: Menstration - correct answer Drop in estrogen and progesterone
causes the uterus to shed its lining, resulting in menstrual flow (blood, degenerated cells,
mucus)
Why does the follicle ripen? - correct answer FSH from the pituitary gland signals the follicle to
mature an egg. The follicle ripens to release a mature egg for potential fertilization and also
produces estrogen that helps prepare the uterus for possible implantation.
What is Anovulatory? - correct answer Refers to cycles where no ovulation occurs, meaning no
egg is released but mensuration may still occur.
Toxic shock syndrom: causes? - correct answer Caused by a bacterial infection (often
Staphylococcus aureus), often associated with tampon use.
Toxic shock syndrom: symptoms? - correct answer high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, can progress
to death.
Toxic shock syndrom: prevention? - correct answer Change tampons every 6-8 hours, avoid
high-absorbency tampons, and be mindful of tampons' chemical composition.
Basal body temperature - correct answer Body temp drops the day of ovulation and rises
sharply the day after, charting can help identify fertile days.
, Cervical mucus method - correct answer Thick and alkaline before ovulation (blocks bacteria),
becomes thinner and more alkaline during ovulation (facilitates sperm movement), "fern
pattern" is observed pre-ovulation when dried.
Calendar method - correct answer Track cycle length for several months; by identifying
patterns, estimate the fertile window. Not precise, but can correspond with temperature and
mucus observations.
Treatment for menstrual cramps - correct answer aspirin, masturbation (orgasm relieves pelvic
tension), hormones, or surgery (in severe cases, e.g., endometriosis).
Cause of menstrual cramps - correct answer prostaglandins (hormone like substances), higher
levels means more pain
Primary amenorrhea - correct answer No mensuration by age 18
Secondary amenorrhea - correct answer Discontinuation of menstruation in a previously
menstruating female.
Causes of secondary amenorrhea - correct answer Pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth control,
significant weight loss, eating disorders, excessive exercise, stress, hormonal imbalances.
Cultural influence on mensuration - correct answer Often regard menstruation as "unclean";
women may be isolated, barred from activities, or considered unfit for sex during menstruation.
These attitudes can exaggerate emotional distress or PMS symptoms, reinforcing negative self
perceptions.
Cycles of men's bodies - correct answer Men do have cycles related to testosterone or sperm
count but they are not as noticeable as women's cycles
Andropause - correct answer Male version of menopause. Slow decline of testosterone and
sperm count with age, but men may produce sperm into old age.
Climacteric - correct answer Transitioning period before menopause where women go from
childbearing years to non-childbearing years, typically from ages 45-60.
Erikson's Theory on mid-life crisis - correct answer Involves personal turmoil, sudden lifestyle
changes, search for meaning, and sometimes changing careers or relationships. About 25% of
men and women report experiencing this.
Sperm: ejaculate numbers - correct answer Average ejaculate contains about 200 million
sperm, in a teaspoon of semen.
Sperm: structure - correct answer Head (genetic info), mid-piece (energy production), tail
(flagellum, movement).
Sperm: lifespan - correct answer Up to 5 days in female reproductive tract.
