AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle of a woman.
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle of a woman.
The menstrual cycle is a repeating sequence of about 28 days controlled by interacting hormones.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The menstrual cycle is a repeating sequence of about 28 days controlled by interacting hormones. FSH from the pituitary gland causes an egg to mature in an ovary and stimulates oestrogen release. Oestrogen from the ovaries repairs and thickens the uterus lining and triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary. The LH surge causes ovulation, the release of the mature egg. After ovulation, the remains of the follicle form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH, so no new egg matures while the lining is prepared. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone falls, the lining is shed as menstruation, and FSH rises again to restart the cycle.
What earns the marks
- FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland and causes an egg to mature in the ovary.
- Oestrogen is secreted by the ovaries, thickens the uterus lining and stimulates the release of LH.
- LH from the pituitary gland triggers ovulation, the release of the mature egg from the ovary.
- Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation and maintains the uterus lining.
- Progesterone inhibits FSH and LH, so further eggs do not mature during the same cycle.
- If fertilisation does not occur, progesterone falls, the uterus lining breaks down and menstruation occurs.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying oestrogen triggers ovulation.
Put it right: Oestrogen stimulates LH release, and it is the LH surge that causes ovulation.
Saying progesterone is produced by the pituitary gland.
Put it right: Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary after ovulation.
Saying FSH maintains the uterus lining.
Put it right: FSH causes egg maturation, while progesterone maintains the lining.
Exam tips
- Name the gland or organ that secretes each hormone, because marks often depend on correct sources.
- Sequence the events in order: FSH → egg maturation and oestrogen → LH surge → ovulation → progesterone → maintenance or menstruation.
- Use the terms inhibit and stimulate precisely when describing how the hormones affect each other.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle of a woman. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
After ovulation, which hormone maintains the lining of the uterus so that a fertilised egg can implant?
Listen
The menstrual cycle is a repeating sequence of about 28 days controlled by interacting hormones. FSH from the pituitary gland causes an egg to mature in an ovary and stimulates oestrogen release. Oestrogen from the ovaries repairs and thickens the uterus lining and triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary. The LH surge causes ovulation, the release of the mature egg. After ovulation, the remains of the follicle form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH, so no new egg matures while the lining is prepared. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone falls, the lining is shed as menstruation, and FSH rises again to restart the cycle. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland and causes an egg to mature in the ovary. Oestrogen is secreted by the ovaries, thickens the uterus lining and stimulates the release of LH. LH from the pituitary gland triggers ovulation, the release of the mature egg from the ovary. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation and maintains the uterus lining. A common slip: Saying oestrogen triggers ovulation. Instead, oestrogen stimulates LH release, and it is the LH surge that causes ovulation. Exam tip: Name the gland or organ that secretes each hormone, because marks often depend on correct sources.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
FSH
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Oestrogen
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LH
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Progesterone
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See every definition
- FSH
- Secreted by the pituitary gland, it causes an egg to mature in the ovary and stimulates oestrogen release.
- Oestrogen
- Secreted by the ovaries, it repairs and thickens the uterus lining and triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary.
- LH
- From the pituitary gland, its surge causes ovulation, the release of the mature egg from the ovary.
- Progesterone
- Secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation, it maintains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH.
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