Abstract
Regular menstrual cycles are the result of predictable cyclic changes in reproductive hormones produced by the pituitary and ovary. A few neurons at the base of the brain in the hypothalamus provide the ongoing stimulus, GnRH pulses, for the synthesis and secretion of LH and FSH which, in turn, stimulate the ovaries to produce the steroids estrogen and progesterone and the small peptides inhibin and activin. It is the feedback relationships between the pituitary and ovarian hormones that provide the basis for the cyclic function of the reproductive system. If fertilization occurs, there is the possibility of a pregnancy which will suppress menstrual cycles for the duration of the pregnancy. Nursing or lactation can also suppress the ovarian cycles, but should not be relied on for birth control. The negative feedback relationship between the ovarian steroids and pituitary gonadotropins is the basis by which hormonal birth control works. Synthetic steroid hormones that can be administered orally suppress the secretion of LH and FSH and thus interrupt the growth and development of ovarian follicles.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bronson FH. Mammalian reproductive biology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 1989.
Loucks AB, Thuma JR. Luteinizing hormone pulsatility is disrupted at a threshold of energy availability in regularly menstruating women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:297–311.
Loucks AB, Redman LM. The effect of stress on menstrual function. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2004;15:466–71.
Whitacre FE, Barrera B. War amenorrhea. JAMA. 1944;124:399–403.
Levine JE, Pau KY, Ramirez VD, et al. Simultaneous measurement of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone release in unanesthetized, ovariectomized sheep. Endocrinology. 1982;111:1449–55.
Clarke IJ, Cummins JT. The temporal relationship between gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in ovariectomized ewe. Endocrinology. 1982;111:1737–9.
Short RV. Lactational infertility in family planning. Ann Med. 1993;25:175–80.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Norman, R.L. (2014). The Human Menstrual Cycle. In: Robert-McComb, J.J., Norman, R.L., Zumwalt, M. (eds) The Active Female. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8884-2_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8884-2_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8883-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8884-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)