Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-1 Chapter 6 Menstruation and Menopause

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-2 Biology and the Menstrual Cycle Menstrual cycle is regulated by fluctuating levels of sex hormones These hormones produce certain changes in the ovaries and uterus Humans are nearly unique among species in having a menstrual cycle Other species of mammals have estrous cycles

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-3 The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle has 4 phases: 1. Follicular phase - proliferative phase or preovulatory phase 2. Ovulation 3. Luteal phase - secretory phase or postovulatory phase 4. Menstruation

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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-7 Hormones and What Happens in the Ovaries Follicular phase - high levels of FSH secreted –Function is to stimulate follicles in the ovaries –One follicle begins to ripen and brings an egg to maturity –Follicle secretes estrogen Ovulation - follicle ruptures open and releases the ripened egg

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1-8 Hormones and What Happens in the Ovaries Luteal phase - after releasing an egg, the follicle turns into the corpus luteum –The corpus luteum manufactures progesterone Menstruation - shedding of the inner lining of the uterus

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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display What Happens in the Uterus Follicular phase - endometrium proliferates Luteal phase - progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum stimulates the glands of the endometrium to start secreting the nourishing substances

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display What Happens in the Uterus Corpus luteum continues to produce estrogen and progesterone for about 10 to 12 days If pregnancy has not occurred, its hormone output declines

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Length and Timing of the Cycle Normal menstrual cycle = 20 to 36 to 40 days; average is about 28 days –Menstruation begins on day 1 and continues until about day 4 or 5 –Follicular phase extends from about day 5 to about day 13 –Ovulation occurs on day 14 –Luteal phase extends from day 15 to the end of the cycle, day 28

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Length and Timing of the Cycle Mittelschmerz - middle pain; cramping in lower abdomen that occurs during ovulation

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Other Cyclic Changes Two other physiological processes fluctuate with the menstrual cycle: –The cervical mucus cycle –The basal body temperature cycle

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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Menstrual Problems Dysmenorrhea - painful menstruation –Possible cause - prostaglandins Amenorrhea - absence of menstruation –Primary amenorrhea - when girl has not menstruated by about age 18 –Secondary amenorrhea - absence of menstruation if she has had at least one period

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Fluctuations in Mood Premenstrual syndrome - PMS PMS is a combination of severe physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and irritability, occurring just before menstruation

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Fluctuations in Performance Research on intellectual or athletic performance generally shows no fluctuations over the cycle Research on academic performance, problem solving, memory, or creative thinking shows no fluctuations over the cycle

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Fluctuations in Sex Drive Results of one study indicated that testosterone levels peaked at ovulation Other studies have indicated contradictory results

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display What Causes the Fluctuations in Mood Biological factors –Fluctuations in levels of hormones Environmental factors –Menstrual taboos and cultural expectations

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Cycles in Men One study found evidence of behavioral cycles in men Another study identified that high testosterone levels were correlated with depression Other researchers have found cycles in men’s emotional states

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Menopause: Biological Changes Climacteric - period lasting about 15 or 20 years (from about ages 45 to 60) during which a woman’s body makes the transition from being able to reproduce to not being able to reproduce Menopause - cessation of menstruation; occurs at around age 50 Physical symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, and pains in the joints

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Sexuality and Menopause Lack of estrogen causes the vagina to become less acidic, more vulnerable to infections Decline in vaginal lubrication during arousal Vaginal walls become less elastic

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Psychological Changes Symptoms may include: –Depression –Irritability –Anxiety –Nervousness –Crying spells –Inability to concentrate –Feelings of suffocation

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display What Causes the Symptoms? Biology - hormones Culture and its expectations by others

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Male Menopause: Biological Changes Andropause - time of life when levels of androgens decline Enlargement of prostate gland - common physical problem that can occur –Occurs in 10 percent of men by age 40, and 50 percent of men who reach age 80

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display Male Menopause: Psychological Changes Male midlife crisis Aspiration-achievement gap Relationships within the man’s family shift during the mid-life period