The menstrual cycle

A follicle is a sac that contains extracellular fluid, cells and the ovum. The name comes from the Latin for a little bag, folliculus. At birth an ovary contains several million follicles, each of which contains an immature ovum (the primary oocytes). These are known as 

At tile end of tiie reproductive life of tile female, very few immature follicles are left. As this stage is approached, tiie frequency of cycles is reduced and tiiey become irregular. This state, known as tiie climacteric, may last for several years until, at tiie menopause, tiie cycles, and hence ovulation, cease completely. 

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Testosterone promotes muscle growth deepening of the voice the growth of body hair and other male secondary sex characteristics Testosterone is formed from cholesterol and IS the biosynthetic precursor of estradiol the principal female sex hormone or estrogen Estradiol is a key substance m the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the reproductive process It is the hormone most responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics... 

Taking the contraceptive hormones provides health benefits not related to contraception, such as regulating the menstrual cycle and decreased blood loss, and incidence of iron deficiency anemia, and dysmenorrhea Health benefits related to the inhibition of ovulation include a decrease in ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancies. hi addition, there is a decrease in fibrocyctic breast disease, acute pelvic inflammatory disease endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, maintenance of bone density, and symptoms related to endometriosis in women taking contraceptive hormones. Newer combination contraceptives such as norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol... 

These drugs can be used anytime during the menstrual cycle. 

Consider the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and the possibility of pregnancy before beginning treatment. 

Beginning treatment First day start (apply first patch on the first day of the menstrual cycle) or Sjnday start (apply first patch on the first Sjnday after the menstrual period begins). 

CASSIDY A, BINGHAM s and SETCHELL K D R (1994) Biological effects of a diet of soy protein rich in isoflavones on the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr 60, 333-40. 

Reilly J., Vowels B., Leyden J., Sondheimer S., et al. (1996). Quantitative comparison of female axillary secretions as a function of the menstrual cycle phase. Chem Senses 21, 661-662. 

The female menstrual cycle is divided into four functional phases follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual.6 The follicular phase starts the cycle, and ovulation generally occurs on day 14. The luteal phase then begins and continues until menstruation occurs.6 The menstrual cycle is regulated by a negative-feedback hormone loop between the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and ovaries6 (Fig. 45-1). 

The menstrual cycle. In Hatcher RA, Trussel J, Stewart F, et al, (eds.) Contraceptive Technology. 18th revised ed. New York Ardent Media 2004 63-72.)... 

The NuvaRing is a unique transvaginal delivery system that provides 15 meg ethinyl estradiol and 120 meg etonogestrel for the prevention of ovulation. The NuvaRing is inserted into the vagina on or before day 5 of the menstrual cycle and is removed... 

Problems related to the menstrual cycle are exceedingly common in women of reproductive age. The issues considered in this chapter are the most frequently encountered menstrual-related difficulties and include amenorrhea, menorrhagia,... 

O Unrecognized pregnancy remains the most common cause of amenorrhea, and a urine pregnancy test should be one of the first steps in the evaluation of this disorder. To help organize an approach to diagnosis and treatment, it is helpful to consider the organs involved in the menstrual cycle, which include the uterus, ovaries, anterior pituitary, and hypothalamus. 

Progesterone therapy either during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle or for 21 days starting on day 5 after the onset of menses results in a 32% to 50% reduction in menstrual blood loss.29 Its use has not been shown to be superior to other medical treatments, including NSAIDs.29 In addition, it is not associated with any contraceptive benefit.33... 

The first-line therapeutic options for PMDD include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram. These agents can be given either continuously or only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, i.e., initiated at the time of ovulation and discontinued on the first day of menses. 

Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125). The normal level is less than 35 units/mL (35 kU/L). This test is associated with a lack of specificity. CA-125 can be elevated in a number of other states, such as different phases of the menstrual cycle, endometriosis, and non-gynecologic cancers. It is important to rule out other cancers associated with the abdominal cavity. 

Women who have been in contact with toxafene have an increased estrogen level in the initial period of the menstrual cycle. Moreover, there was no clear phase change, which shows that hormonal regulation was disrupted [15]. The negative impact of even low doses of OCPs on pregnancy has been proved, especially in the third trimester [1]. It has been shown many times that there is a correlation between embryo death and pesticide content in the mother s body [1]. We will now quote several results of the study of pesticides effects on pregnancy and birth. 

Epperson, C.N.O.M.S., Czarkowski, K.A., Gueorguieva, R., Jatlow, R, Sanacora, G., Rothman, D.L., Krystal, J.H., Mason, G.F. Sex, GABA, and nicotine the impact of smoking on cortical GABA levels across the menstrual cycle as measured with proton magnetic resonance. Biol. Psychiatry. 57 44, 2005. 

The median length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days (range 21 to 40). The first day of menses is day 1 of the follicular phase. Ovulation usually occurs on day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the luteal phase lasts until the beginning of the next cycle. 

The progestin-only Minipills tend to be less effective than combination OCs, and they are associated with irregular and unpredictable menstrual bleeding. They must be taken every day of the menstrual cycle at approximately the same time of day to maintain contraceptive efficacy. They are associated with more ectopic pregnancies than other hormonal contraceptives. 

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