Menstrual Cycle
The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is characterised by:
What our notes say
- The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is characterised by: (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: 40 MCQs and 4 short answers)
- She does not have a resumption of normal menstrual cycles. (Chemical pathology and Endocrine pathology — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- The lump remains through 2 menstrual cycles without change in size. (Breast mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- She reports mild pelvic pain, but regular menstrual cycles. (Female system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- A 15-year-old girl has had irregular menstrual cycles for 5 months. (Female system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Q3: Identify the hormones plotted X, Y, Z, W (menstrual cycle correlation) (Aponeurosis — Embryology Question Bank)
Study material on Menstrual Cycle
- MBMP2300: Medical Physiology II MCQs
- Year 6 Gynaecology CAT 1 (MBOG 6511): 13 December 2019, 4 short answers and 16 MCQs
- Female system
- MBMP2300: Medical Physiology II - Complete Study Guide
- Medical Physiology Paper I MCQs
Practice questions on Menstrual Cycle
On day 28 of her menstrual cycle, a 23-year-old woman experiences onset of menstrual bleeding that lasts for 6 days. She has had regular cycles for many years. Which of the following processes is most likely occurring in the endometrium just before the onset of bleeding?
- Apoptosis
- Caseous necrosis
- Heterophagocytosis
- Atrophy
- Liquefactive necrosis ANSWER: A
Answer: A. The onset of menstruation is an example of orderly, programmed cell death (apoptosis) through hormonal stimuli. The endometrium breaks down, sloughs off, and then regenerates. ---
Regarding a healthy 30-year-old woman with regular 28-day menstrual cycles, which statement is correct?
- At day 5, her endometrium is in the secretory phase
- At day 15, her blood estrogen levels peak
- At day 22, her blastocyst would be implanted (if she is pregnant)
- At day 7, her ovary releases a secondary oocyte
- At day 27, her blood progesterone levels peak
Answer: C. Ovulation occurs around day 14, fertilization within 24 hours, and implantation occurs 6-7 days after fertilization (around day 21-22 of the cycle). ---
How many days after fertilization would a woman with normal menstrual cycles BEGIN to have an elevated plasma hCG?
- 2 days
- 7 days
- 12 days
- 17 days
- Usually mediated by non-specific mechanisms
Answer: B. hCG is produced by the trophoblast after implantation, which occurs approximately 6-7 days after fertilization. Detectable levels appear shortly after implantation begins. ---
The dominant hormone responsible for the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, causing endometrial thickening, is:
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: B. During the proliferative phase (follicular phase) of the menstrual cycle, ovarian follicles develop and produce increasing amounts of estrogen. Estrogen acts on the endometrium, stimulating cell proliferation and growth, leading to its thickening and preparation for potential implantation. Progesterone (A) is dominant in the secretory phase. LH (C) and FSH (D) are pituitary hormones that regulate ovarian function, no