File:Menstrual cycle.png

Human Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Overview

Diagram showing hormonal changes during the human menstrual cycle (even more smoothed versions are shown in simplified diagrams).

• Ovulation occurs around the time of leutenizing hormone surge mid-cycle.
• There is great variability in human menstrual cycle length.
• There are age dependent changes.
• Not shown are the Inhibin A and Inhibin B levels.

Legend

• FSH - follicle stimulating hormone (from anterior pituitary)
• GnRH - gonadotrophin releasing hormone (from hypothalamus)
• LH - leutenizing hormone (from anterior pituitary)

References

• The pituitary and ovarian hormone curves are based upon Greenspan's Endocrinology, where the actual levels have been measured.
• The body temperature curve is based upon Sex differences and reproductive hormone influences on human odor perception. Doty RL, Cameron EL. Physiol Behav. 2009 May 25;97(2):213-28. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Review. Erratum in: Physiol Behav. 2009 Oct 19;98(4):517. PMID: 19272398
• HPG Axis based upon NIAAA Alcohol’s Effects on Female Reproductive Function, Mary Ann Emanuele, M.D., Frederick Wezeman, Ph.D., and Nicholas V. Emanuele, M.D. Figure 1
• Uterus changes cropped from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MenstrualCycle2_en.svg