Question

RB is a 35-year-old female who has recently married. She comes to see her primary provider to discuss the possibility of becoming pregnant. RB would like to know how to tell when she would be most likely to conceive.Discuss the process that occurs during the ovarian cycle. Include in your answer specific facts.

Answer 1

** OVARIAN CYCLE - includes the regular natural changes that occurs in the female reproductive system( specially in uterus and ovaries) that makes pregnancy possible.

* The cycle is required for the production of the oocytes and for the  preparation of the uterus for the pregnancy.

** It occurs due to hormones ESTROGEN( responsible for development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty ,preparation of uterus for fertilization) AND PROGESTERONE( maintenance of pregnancy) PRODUCED BY OVARY and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) responsible for stimulating ovaries to  secrete estrogen;AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE(LH) stimulate progesterone production ; FROM ANTERIOR PITUITARY.

**PHASES OF OVARIAN CYCLE:

1) FOLLICULAR PHASE.

2) OVULATION.

3) LUTEAL PHASE.

4)PRE MENSTRUAL PHASE.

5)MENSTRUAL PHA

1) FOLLICULAR PHASE:- It is the first part ,during this phase under the influence of FSH the ovarian follicle ( which is present at birth) matures  and get ready to release ovum ( oocyte).

* FSH production is high and then start declining once the ovarian follicle is matured,

*LH production is low and then start increasing ,

*ESTROGEN production increases and once the ovum is completely matured estrogen stimulates the production of LH.

* PROGESTERONE LEVEL is very low

*THE ENDOMETRIUM-  in uterus the endometrium reorganization and proliferation of endometrium starts as a preparation to recieve the fertilized ovum.

2) OVULATION :- During this phase the matured ovum is released from the ovarian follicle into the oviduct and it is transported through fellopian tube to uterus .

*ESTROGEN production is high

*PROGESTERONE LEVEL is low

*FSH production is low

*LH production is high.

*THE ENDOMETRIUM- continue to grow.

3) LUTEAL PHASE - under the effect of FSH and LH  The ovarian follicle transform into corpus luteum and start producing progesterone ,increased progesterone and estrogen level.

4) MENSTRUAL PHASE- if the ovum is not fertilized FSH andLH production decreases ,estrogen and progesterone secretion falls,the ovum disintegrates and the endometrium which has become thick and hemorrhagic.

*The product consisting of blood,mucus and endometrial tissue is discharged through the cervix in to the vagina.

*After the menstual flow stops the cycle begins again.

** If ovum is fertilized ,estrogen and progesterone levels remain high and the pregnancy continues.