Experiences and Disorders of the Gynecologic Client Physiology of Puberty, Menarche and Fertility Marianne F. Moore RN, MSN, CNM

Physiology of Puberty Puberty refers to the period of sexual maturation. Puberty refers to the period of sexual maturation. Puberty is when the child experiences physical, hormonal, and sexual changes and becomes capable of reproduction. Puberty is when the child experiences physical, hormonal, and sexual changes and becomes capable of reproduction. Associated with rapid growth and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics. Associated with rapid growth and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics.

Physiology of Puberty Changes triggered by hypothalamus and pituitary gland Changes triggered by hypothalamus and pituitary gland Ovaries begin to produce estrogen and progesterone Ovaries begin to produce estrogen and progesterone Adolescence is the period of transition between puberty and adulthood. Adolescence is the period of transition between puberty and adulthood.

Physiology of Puberty Before menarche, girls experience rapid growth, especially an increase in height rapid growth, especially an increase in height breast enlargement breast enlargement pubic, armpit, and leg hair growth pubic, armpit, and leg hair growth clear or whitish vaginal secretions clear or whitish vaginal secretions increased hip width increased hip width

Physiology of Menarche Menarche refers to the starts of the menstrual cycle Occurs between age 9-16 in girls Initial cycles are often anovulatory Irregularity is normal As ovulation established, cycles regulate

Physiology of Menses Follicular Phase Hypothalamus/GnRH stimulates anterior pituitary to make FSH/LH Hypothalamus/GnRH stimulates anterior pituitary to make FSH/LH FSH causes granulosa cells to make estadiol and follicles are recruited FSH causes granulosa cells to make estadiol and follicles are recruited One follicle dominates and it has the most FSH receptors One follicle dominates and it has the most FSH receptors

Physiology of Menses Follicular Phase The follicle produces inhibin, and FSH is suppressed The follicle produces inhibin, and FSH is suppressed Loss of FSH causes smaller follicles to die off. The dominant follicle grows. Loss of FSH causes smaller follicles to die off. The dominant follicle grows. LH causes stromal cells to make androgens close to ovulation-increases sexual desire. LH causes stromal cells to make androgens close to ovulation-increases sexual desire.

Physiology of Menses Ovulatory phase Peaking estradiol levels cause a surge of LH and FSH Peaking estradiol levels cause a surge of LH and FSH LH causes resumption of meiosis, luteinization of granulosa cells and progesterone production LH causes resumption of meiosis, luteinization of granulosa cells and progesterone production hours later, the follicular wall breaks down and ovulation occurs hours later, the follicular wall breaks down and ovulation occurs

Physiology of Menses Luteal phase Granulosa and theca cells take up steroids and lutein; corpus luteum. Granulosa and theca cells take up steroids and lutein; corpus luteum. Progesterone dominated phase Progesterone dominated phase Progesterone suppresses new follicles Progesterone suppresses new follicles Causes secretory changes in the endometrium that support implantation Causes secretory changes in the endometrium that support implantation

Physiology of Menses Luteal phase Progesterone peaks 7-8 days after LH surge; at implantation if it occurs Progesterone peaks 7-8 days after LH surge; at implantation if it occurs Luteal phase more constant than follicular phase-14 days if no pregnancy Luteal phase more constant than follicular phase-14 days if no pregnancy Progesterone causes the elevation in basal body temperature (BBT) Progesterone causes the elevation in basal body temperature (BBT) BBT rise confirms ovulation BBT rise confirms ovulation

Physiology of Menses Menstrual phase At 9-11 days after ovulation, corpus luteum declines At 9-11 days after ovulation, corpus luteum declines Progesterone/ estrogen levels decline. Progesterone/ estrogen levels decline. Withdrawal shrinks endometrium, decreases blood flow, and begins pulsatile dilation/constriction of spiral arterioles Withdrawal shrinks endometrium, decreases blood flow, and begins pulsatile dilation/constriction of spiral arterioles Ischemia and stasis alternate with hemorrhage, and menstrual flow begins Ischemia and stasis alternate with hemorrhage, and menstrual flow begins

Physiology of Menses Menstrual phase Normal blood loss w/menses ml Normal blood loss w/menses ml 70% sloughs by second day 70% sloughs by second day 90% by third day 90% by third day Average length of menses 4-6 days Average length of menses 4-6 days Rising estrogen levels by day 5 and thrombin plugs limit blood loss Rising estrogen levels by day 5 and thrombin plugs limit blood loss

Physiology of Fertility Female Estrogen softens cervix and thins mucous; helps sperm to enter uterus Estrogen softens cervix and thins mucous; helps sperm to enter uterus Androgen surge with ovulation increases desire Androgen surge with ovulation increases desire Oocyte can be fertilized for hours after ovulation Oocyte can be fertilized for hours after ovulation Sperm viable in the upper genital tract for up to 72 hours Sperm viable in the upper genital tract for up to 72 hours

Physiology of Fertility Female Cervical mucous favors passage of normal sperm Cervical mucous favors passage of normal sperm Improves overall quality of sperm meeting egg Improves overall quality of sperm meeting egg Fertilization occurs in ampullary region of the tube Fertilization occurs in ampullary region of the tube Fimbria sweep conceptus into uterus Fimbria sweep conceptus into uterus Implantation begins at the blastocyst stage Implantation begins at the blastocyst stage

Physiology of Fertility Male Male deposits as many as 300 million sperm near cervix with intercourse Male deposits as many as 300 million sperm near cervix with intercourse Sperm must be normal in shape, adequate in amount and have motility to ascend the genital tract Sperm must be normal in shape, adequate in amount and have motility to ascend the genital tract

Physiology of Fertility Male Some sperm pass through entire tract rapidly; others sit in cervical crypts and ascend later Some sperm pass through entire tract rapidly; others sit in cervical crypts and ascend later Sperm are made continuously Sperm are made continuously Abnormalities can be related to infections, varicoceles, overall health Abnormalities can be related to infections, varicoceles, overall health

Cultural considerations Value of women and children Value of women and children Role of women in the home and in the world Role of women in the home and in the world Menstrual flow as “dirty” Menstrual flow as “dirty”

Lifestyle considerations Personal values Personal values Family needs Family needs Sexual preferences Sexual preferences Personal comfort with own body Personal comfort with own body

Trends in nursing research Recent research concerns PMS, PMDD and symptom management for menstrual disorders Recent research concerns PMS, PMDD and symptom management for menstrual disorders The Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study (SMWHS) studied the natural menopausal transition in a population-based sample from 1990 to The primary focus of SMWHS throughout the 17 years was on symptoms, hormones, stress and stages of the menopausal transition. 390 women initially, 176 at end of study