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Stem Cycle

The female reproductive cycle ... Explanation

If you are a woman, the next picture - or some of its aspects - may sound familiar:

Yesterday they were strangely, and perhaps irrational, irritated by his innocent mistake coworker. Today is swollen and his face has broken out as it did when you were a teenager. Tonight you ate enough to take to feed a family of three, your breasts hurt, and began to mourn for an ad TV for toilet paper. If you are a woman, and some or all of these symptoms seem to occur on regular basis - for example, every 28 days or less - may be the victim of a well-studied phenomenon, known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Women may be understandable, upset by this assumption (especially when it is inaccurate), and although fun, can be indicative of the lack of better understanding the cycles of women.

Although the above scenario may fall in the far end of the spectrum, many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome symptoms at one time or another during their lives. Although syndrome is well documented, many people are unfamiliar with the mechanisms behind it. Today, a phrase commonly used to explain or dismiss mood swings of a woman is "must have PMS." Women may be understandably upset by this assumption (especially when it is inaccurate), and although some fun, it can be indicative of the lack of better understanding the cycles of women. Men, in particular, also can be seen as a scapegoat PMS baseless mood swings for women, and wonder if it is absolutely true biological phenomenon.

It has always been a mystery and romance associated with the female cycle, such time derivative of sync with the lunar cycle. But beyond that, many people (women included) can not know exactly how the female reproductive cycle operates - Specifically, what hormones are involved, how they control what is produced by PMS (including both physical symptoms and behavior) and when exactly in the cycle of fertility is possible and impossible. This article aims to clarify how the female cycle in general, and how changes in the body and behavior occur over a month.

The menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle, by definition, begins on the first day of the period a woman (the day begins bloody discharge), and ends the day before the next menstrual period. Discharge occurs because the body is deprived of the preparations I had done during the previous cycle in the event that pregnancy can occur. In other words, is to get rid of the uterine lining thick he had done (which would have been a cozy place for a fertilized egg from implanting) and is getting rid of the eggs were fertilized during the previous cycle. With the new cycle, the body will now begin to be erected once again for the release of an egg and preparation for pregnancy. The phases of the reproductive cycle depends on the interaction of several key hormones (see below).

Hormones 101

Many people have heard of the two main hormones involved in the reproductive cycle of women: estrogen and progesterone. Although these two hormones are really key players, there are other hormones that are essential to the operation cycle - and are ultimately controlled by two main brain regions. One area is the hypothalamus, which is important for basic body processes such as hunger, sleep and sexual arousal. The other is the pituitary gland, which is adjacent to the hypothalamus.

FSH is primarily responsible for signaling of the ovaries to start preparing mature eggs, or more precisely, the mature follicles, which include various types of supporting cells that nourish and surrounding the egg.

The hypothalamus releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is an important hormone in women and men. (1) This hormone signals the pituitary gland to produce and release two additional hormones that actually the signal of the sex organs to begin work: in women, it is the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). (2) These hormones start to rise before ovulation (the release of an egg from ovary), and signal the body to begin to prepare for ovulation and possible pregnancy.

FSH is primarily responsible for signaling ovaries to start preparing the mature eggs, or more precisely, the mature follicles, which include various types of supporting cells that nourish and surround the egg. LH is responsible for the mature follicle to be released from the ovary during ovulation. In males, FSH is important in cell signaling support in the testes begin to produce sperm and the LH is necessary for testosterone to be synthesized. (A) (3)

Female reproductive cycle stages

The reproduction cycle is divided into three phases: the follicular phase, the ovulatory phase and luteal phase.

Follicular phase In the beginning of this phase, which begins the first day of menstrual period and usually lasts about two weeks, estrogen and progesterone levels are low (assuming the egg from the last cycle was fertilized). This fall in hormone levels signals the uterus to shed its lining, and begins a period. During this time, the pituitary gland starts to produce FSH. The increase in FSH stimulates the ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone, and signals the main event follicular phase to begin: the preparation of mature eggs in the ovaries. In fact, somewhere between 3 to 30 follicles, each containing an egg, they begin growing (6), but ultimately, only one is "chosen" to be fully mature and released from the ovary. (Follicle itself also produces estrogen, which is the highest just before the next phase - ovulation - takes place.) The follicular phase ends when the peak LH levels, indicating ovulation to begin.

Ovulation Phase The phase of ovulation usually takes about 16-32 hours. (6) When a mature follicle is ready to be released from the ovary, a large increase in LH results in the hair being pushed out of the ovary. When this happens, the egg also springs from its follicle protection and finds its way into the fallopian tubes and down into the uterus. The side of the entity to which ovulation occurs not seem to follow any pattern of routine (which does not alternate from one side to another every month), and it is unclear what determines which ovary releases an egg each month. There is a small increase in FSH, but the exact reason for this is unknown (6).

It should also be noted that pregnancy is more likely to occur when sexual intercourse takes place before ovulation - in particular, in the six days leading up to it ...

By definition, ovulation phase ends when the egg leaves the ovary. A woman can only get pregnant for about 12 hours after the egg leaves the ovary. (6) should also be mentioned that pregnancy is more likely to occur when sexual intercourse takes place before ovulation - specifically, in the six days leading up to it, as found in a study. (4) In other words, fertilization is more likely to occur when the sperm is already present in the female reproductive tract when she ovulates. Interestingly, some studies have also found that women tend to be more sexually active in these six days before ovulation (5), suggesting that the body seems to "know" if their period of fertility is.

Another phenomenon that can occur during ovulation is that one can feel slight pain on one side of the body around this time. This is known as pelvic pain (Which results in pain, "average" (6)), and seems to occur on the side of the body that develops the egg released from the ovary. It can last from a few minutes up to 48 hours. (6) (7) Although the phenomenon is not well understood, seem to occur before, during or immediately after ovulation (7). From ovulation the follicle involves literally bursting the outer surface of the ovary (no opening of which is released), the pain can come from this action. (7) OR may come from the rupture of the follicle, releasing a bit of fluid in the abdominal cavity, and may cause some degree of inflammation, leading to discomfort (7).

Luteal phase This phase also lasts about two weeks, and ends the day before menstruation begins. In phase luteal progesterone levels are rising significantly, mainly due to the action of the ruptured follicle: After breaking to release the egg, it closes and is now called the corpus luteum. Libera increasing amounts of progesterone, which helps prepare the body for potential pregnancy by thickening of the lining uterus (endometrium) so that will be able to receive and nurture a fertilized egg. If the egg goes unfertilized, however, the corpus luteum breaks down into a Two weeks and the cycle ends and the menstrual period begins.

It is important, especially for those who have trouble getting pregnant, take the fact that fertilization is less likely to occur after body temperature has increased.

Progesterone also is responsible for increasing body temperature. Many women may know that the temperature of the body can we as a marker to determine whether ovulation has occurred, and some Women who are trying to become pregnant find that chart their basal body temperature for a few months can help predict when ovulation occurs. (8) important, especially for those who have trouble getting pregnant, keep in mind that fertilization is less likely to occur after body temperature has increased, since, as mentioned earlier, the day before ovulation are the most fertile days of women - and the temperature increase of progesterone indicates that ovulation has already occurred. But if a woman traces the rise and fall of body temperature in a few months, taking into account their specific pattern may be determine how many days are, on average, between the beginning of your period and this increase in body temperature. Having sex in the days prior to its increase body temperature may be the best odds to become pregnant. (See the NIH website for more information on the prediction of fertility.)

The higher levels of progesterone and estrogen during the luteal phase not only prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy, but the breasts are undergoing change and that many women notice as menstruation approaches. In particular, the breasts may enlarge slightly, due to the effects of hormones on the milk ducts, which expands in preparation for pregnancy. This can cause swelling of the breasts to feel tender or painful during PMS frankly.

Premenstrual Syndrome

The cycle of hormones and bodily changes that signal the basis for premenstrual syndrome. As described in the opening of this article many women experience at least some symptoms of PMS at some point in their lives. Symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness, cravings food, weight gain, skin problems, irritability or aggression, difficulty concentrating, changes in libido (sexual desire), depression and tiredness or lethargy (9). The severity of symptoms can range from mild discomfort seriously disabling. Some women have to spend days or work or school because their symptoms prevent them from functioning normally in these times. The most severe form of premenstrual syndrome called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and women who are diagnosed with him has to suffer symptoms for at least five different, with at least one significantly associated with mood (depression, anxiety, irritability, etc.) (10) (See discussion of PMDD below for more information on the symptoms and treatment.)

It is estimated that 5-8% of women suffer from moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome (10), but some studies have found that the total number is higher, possibly up to 28%. (11) However, because so many women suffer from at least mild symptoms of PMS, some researchers believe that some level of "discontent" in the days before menstruation can be considered "non-pathological physiological (10) - In other words, it's just a normal part of the cycle, rather than something that is considered disease.

An estimated 5-8% of women suffer from moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome (10), but some studies have found that the total number is higher, possibly up to 28%.

So what causes the symptoms of PMS? The symptoms appear to be related with fluctuating hormone levels in the body. But this has also been confirmed through various types of studies, including those in which women suffering from symptoms severe PMS have undergone complete ovariectomy (removal of the ovaries) to stop cycling, and have reported that after surgery, symptoms completely disappear (12). But believe it or not, the exact reasons behind the changes in hormones that lead to both physical and psychological symptoms were not path. It has been shown (13), although both physical and psychological symptoms are stable from month to month, the psychological symptoms - anxiety, depression, mood changes - instead of the physicists who lead women to function normally face problems in their daily lives (13).

Symptoms related to mood

Is believed that increased levels of estrogen right before ovulation and progesterone after ovulation may be responsible for at least the psychological symptoms that many women feel. (14) And these two hormones, some have suggested that higher monthly progesterone may be more responsible than estrogens for the undesirable effect mood swings during PMS, but some of the supporting research comes from the menopause women taking estrogen replacement therapy (women, these declines in the report depression). (14) However, other studies have suggested that estrogen and progesterone may have implications for the cause of equal mood swings. A study of Nice (15) studied women who suffered from PMS, and whose symptoms stopped when researchers administered a specific compound to prevent ovulation. Then, when the researchers gave progesterone or estrogen, the symptoms began again. This suggests that the two hormones may play a role in achieving both mood changes in PMS.

They say that the symptoms of PMS-related mood reflects a "abnormal response to normal hormonal changes" that all women experience.

Why do some women experience mood-related problems with PMS and some women do not? It could be that the levels of hormones in the PMS-victims are different - but there has been no research to suggest that this is the case. In fact, the study mentioned above, (15) the researchers also observed this question. They found that when women who never suffered from PMS received either estrogen or progesterone, did not feel any change in mood, while the other group of women - the PMS-victims - mood swings felt when it was given the hormone. The researchers believe this suggests that the difference is not in circulating levels of the hormone, but is in how the body responds to hormones that are present. In fact they say that the symptoms of PMS related to the state mood reflects an abnormal "response to normal hormonal changes" that all women experience.

So where are the differences could? Many studies have suggested that differences in brain serotonin may be at work. (16) (17) (18) For example, one study found that administration of a chemical that mimics the effects of serotonin significantly improved symptoms in patients with premenstrual syndrome. (16) The fact that serotonin is involved in the problems associated with PMS mood is not surprising, since the compound is a major player in depression and very often the object of a class of medications for depression known as selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). So again, it might women prone to PMS does not differ from their own hormones, but in the way that the brain and brain chemicals involved in the regulation of Mood response to normal hormonal fluctuations.

Physical symptoms of PMS As mentioned above, some of the classic symptoms of premenstrual syndrome include physical swelling, weight gain, breast tenderness, acne, and food (or fluid) cravings, but they can also headache, muscle aches and joint pain, fatigue and constipation or diarrhea. (19) (20) Believe it or not, not yet is unclear what causes these symptoms, and it seems that much more research has been devoted to understanding psychological symptoms on the physical. Some studies have failed to find measurable changes in body weight of a woman during PMS. (21) But what's interesting is that despite no change in body weight in these women, did show significant abdominal distension, and understood that their body weight had increased. (21) On the basis of such findings, some researchers (10) doubt that the increased weight of the water is the culprit, as is sometimes suggested.

The body of a woman is going through a lot over the course of a month: the body is "prepared" for pregnancy and after the debris idea if the unfertilized egg is - and then does it again next month!

Some other studies have suggested that certain compounds that increase the effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine to help explain and possibly breast tenderness other physical symptoms of PMS, including weight gain (22) (23). These chemicals also appears to work by lowering blood levels of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the production of milk during pregnancy. Although some of these compounds are prescription drugs, one is a natural remedy called Chasteberry, (23) that can be found in many natural food stores. According to the NIH, (24) Chasteberry has been used for millennia to reduce symptoms of PMS, but since it may affect levels of dopamine in the brain - potentially the levels of hormones in the body - you should consult your doctor before using the supplement.

Some experts (10) still wonders if the physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are in fact due to hormonal fluctuations in the body or can be the result women simply be less tolerant of bodily discomfort while they are experiencing symptoms related to mood. For example, if a woman is irritable, moody, and a little depressed for premenstrual syndrome, you may be more sensitive to your body, and perceived as more physical symptoms serious than they really are. Support for this idea may come from studies like the one mentioned above, in which women felt they had gained weight, although they no.

However, any woman who has experienced the PMS will probably agree that there are some very real physical symptoms involved. While mood symptoms can increase the physical - make a woman more likely to return to the discomfort and less able to recover from it - it is likely that the complex, and well documented hormonal changes throughout the month may also be responsible for physical changes in the body. The body of a woman is going through a lot during one month: the body is "prepared" for pregnancy and then waste that idea if the unfertilized egg is - and then does it again next month! It is clearly necessary more research to address the underlying causes of physical symptoms of PMS to many women experience every month.

Disorder premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Sometimes a woman premenstrual mental and physical symptoms become severe. Of the ten major symptoms associated with PMS, women who are diagnosed with PMDD must undergo at least five of these symptoms regularly, and at least one must be of first four symptoms (see list below). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognizes the following symptoms, as part of premenstrual syndrome and / or PMDD:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Very changeable moods
• Anger or irritability;
• Trouble concentrating
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Sleep Problems
• Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
• Physical symptoms (swelling, food craving, breast tenderness, headache, etc, all of which fall into this category) (25)

Interestingly, symptoms related to mood that is most often by women is not depression, but rather irritability.

Women who experience PMDD may have significant problems functioning normally at work, school, and even social activities and relationships during this time. You can often bypass work or school as a result. (25) (26) In fact, one study found that the degree to which a woman's life is interrupted as a result of PMDD is on the same level of some of the major mood disorders (27). As you can imagine, because it is largely PMDD behavioral in nature, can coexist with or be intensified by the presence of other mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and dysthymia (which is less severe than major depression, but can still be long term) and other personality disorders. (25) While it is independent these disorders is not unusual that there is some overlap between them. Interestingly, the symptom-related mood is more often by women is not depression, but irritability.

The FDA has approved the following three SSRI to treat PMDD, in addition to depression: sertraline (Zoloft ®), fluoxetine (Prozac ® and Sarafem), paroxetine HCl (Paxil CR ®). If you feel you may be suffering from PMDD, it is important to talk to your doctor about of steps to treat it effectively.

Treatments for PMS and PMDD

Depending on the severity of PMS, treatments ranging from natural resources to prescription antidepressants. And there are other steps you can take to control symptoms at home, before considering other options.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends several treatment methods to do at home. (28) These include:

• take a multivitamin with folic acid and calcium / vitamin D
• exercising regularly
• eat a healthy diet (rich in grains whole fruits, vegetables and low in fat and junk food)
• reducing salt intake, which may reduce the tendency to retain water
• reduction of caffeine
• reduce the intake of alcohol, especially when there are symptoms of PMS
• no smoking
• finding effective ways to manage and reduce stress

Eating several small portions of complex carbohydrates throughout the day also been shown to reduce symptoms, probably due to the amino acid tryptophan which is present in complex carbohydrates. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, which is the target of SSRIs (see below), which may act by helping the brain to produce more serotonin. (25) for physical symptoms such as cramps, headaches and muscle aches, you can test-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the temporary relief. Drugs that are designed specifically for PMS and Midol ® can also be helpful. Exercise also helps (25). Women who exercise regularly or who were sedentary and start adding the course of their routine report less physical and psychological symptoms than women who do not exercise.

As mentioned above, chasteberry has shown to be somewhat effective in reducing some of the physical symptoms associated with PMS. Another study (29) found that it was also effective in reducing symptoms of PMDD - in fact, was as effective as the SSRI fluoxetine (Prozac ® and Sarafem) in terms of number of women who responded to it. Fluoxetine was more effective reduce psychological symptoms, however, while chasteberry was better to attack the physical symptoms of PMDD. (29) can be other natural resources that could be effective in reducing PMS / PMDD symptoms, but it is important to research the products thoroughly and talk to your doctor before putting anything new in your body. "Natural compounds remain chemicals such as prescription drugs, and can affect the body so significant.

SSRIs such as sertraline (Zoloft ®), fluoxetine (Prozac ® and Sarafem), paroxetine HCl (Paxil CR ®) have been shown to work for PMS PMDD and in many cases, and are more effective than other antidepressants in the treatment of symptoms, (30) and are much more effective than placebo. (30) (31) As researchers have noted (10), this finding, along with the fact that SSRIs work much faster on the symptoms of PMS in which symptoms do depression, means that its effects are larger than simply acting antidepressants. This idea is also supported by the fact that SSRIs help relieve physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (30).

While adjusting the hormone levels in the body at first glance may seem intuitive, as mentioned above, since it is unlikely that women with premenstrual syndrome actually have a hormonal imbalance, this method has produced no remarkable effects. (10) What has been most effective is to give women a compound that increases the effects of the hormone GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) above. This treatment, while somewhat extreme, has been more successful than to either estrogen or progesterone. (10) (32) However, because of this treatment is stopped a woman of the bicycle, women who received GnRH experience some of the undesirable symptoms of menopause. (32) Addition of estrogen or progesterone with the treatment has been effective in relieving some menopause-like effects side. (32)

Concluding remarks

If you feel you are suffering from PMS or PMDD, it is important to talk with your doctor about the best ways to handle it. These disorders are real phenomena have a biological basis that have been well studied in recent years and are, for the most part, well understood by medical community. In other words, the PMS is not something done by women to excuse your bad mood or that of one composed of men to blame a. Both psychological and physical component of PMS should be taken seriously, and are not effective ways to manage them. The female body is a phenomenal amount of work in the course of a month, and while the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are not always fun, the reproductive system women is remarkable and complex (if a little mysterious!), and something to be celebrated.

View http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/womens_health/art2906.html The reference note.

About the Author

Alice Walton has a BA in English Literature and Biopsychology from Vassar College, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center where she focused on biopsychology and behavioral neuroscience. She was a recipient of an NIH fellowship through the Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function, Hunter College, CUNY.