The Menstrual Cycle

1. The Menstrual Cycle Predicting Ovulation & Fertility Periods

2. Menstruation is considered a unique indicator of a woman’s overall _____________.

3. Answer: Physical Health The menstrual cycle is viewed as a reliable predictor of a woman’s general health and well-being. The lack of or complete loss of a woman’s cycle could indicate issues with fertility, bone health, heart disease, and ovarian failure.

4. Terminology Menses 1. The periodic flow of blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus.2. The monthly flow of blood and cellular debris from the uterus that begins at puberty and ceases at menopause. This process is also referred to as emmenia, a menstrual cycle or period.

5. Menstruation • If an ovum is not fertilized, or if the fertilized ovum does not attach to the uterine wall, the uterine lining is not needed • The muscles of the uterus contract, causing the lining to gradually break down • The lining passes through the cervix into the vagina and out through the vaginal opening • 4 to 7 days • Cycles Vary from female to female

6. Menopause- The period marked by the natural and permanent cessation of menstruation, occurring between the ages of 45 and 55 in humans.Dysmenorrhea – painful periods, including severe cramps. In young women this is usually caused by high levels of prostaglandins. Treatments include: Warm baths, OTC pain medications like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and Midol) and Naproxen (Aleve)Amenorrhea- Absence of the menses

7. Factors that Contribute to Amenorrhea Natural causes Pregnancy Breast-feeding Menopause

8. Amenorrhea Lifestyle factors • Stress- Mental stress can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus — an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Ovulation and menstruation may stop as a result. Regular menstrual periods usually resume after your stress decreases. • Low body weight- Excessively low body weight interrupts many hormonal functions in your body, potentially halting ovulation. Women who have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, often stop having periods because of these abnormal hormonal changes.

9. Amenorrhea Lifestyle factors 3. Excessive exercise- Women who participate in sports that require rigorous training, such as dance, body building, long-distance running, cycling, and gymnastics may find their menstrual cycle interrupted. Several factors combine to contribute to the loss of periods in athletes, including low body fat, stress and high energy expenditure.

10. Amenorrhea Medications – Antipsychotics, Cancer chemotherapy, Antidepressants, and Blood pressure drugs Contraceptives - Some women who take hormonal birth control may not have periods. Contraceptives that are ingested, injected, absorbed, or implanted (intrauterine & sub-dermal), may cause amenorrhea. When hormonal contraceptives are stopped, it may take three to six months to resume regular ovulation and menstruation cycles.

11. Methods of Predicting Ovulation • Calendar or Rhythm Method • Body Temperature Method • Rise in body temperature after ovulation • Ovulation/Cervical Methods • Sampling of cervical mucus and cervical positioning • Ovulation Predictor Kits • Combination of all methods or urine sample tests