Controlling the Menstrual Cycle

The cycle involves the following three parts of the body.

The pituitary gland	The ovaries	The uterus

1. The pituitary gland tells the ovaries to start maturing an egg with a hormone called F.S.H. (follicle stimulating hormone). This also instructs the ovaries to produce oestrogen.

2. The ovaries produce oestrogen. This signals the pituitary gland to stop producing F.S.H. and to produce L.H. (luteinising hormone) instead. It also instructs the uterus to start to build up a fresh lining ready for a fertilised egg.

3. The pituitary gland produces L.H. This instructs the ovaries to release a mature egg. There should be a fresh lining ready for it if it is fertilised.

REMEMBER

Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle of a woman. Those hormones involved in promoting the release of an egg include:
FSH which is secreted by the pituitary gland and causes eggs to mature in the ovaries, and also stimulates the ovaries to
produce hormones including oestrogen
Oestrogen which is secreted by the ovaries and inhibits the further production of FHS as well as stimulating the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called LH.