Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System01:24

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
Menopause01:28

Menopause

Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Manual perineal support: learn the skills before you intervene.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2015
Same author

Simulation training needs to be adequate to improve clinical outcomes.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2014
Same author

Authors' reply: Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury after a successful multicentre interventional programme.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2014
Same author

The consistency of experts' evaluation of obstetric claims for compensation.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2014
Same author

Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury after a successful multicentre interventional programme.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2013
Same author

Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors at menopause: the Nord-Trøndelag health study.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2013

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics
09:29

Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics

Published on: December 14, 2011

Menstrual dysfunction in Norwegian top athletes.

P Oian, L B Augestad, K Molne

    Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Female athletes experiencing secondary amenorrhea (delayed menstruation) show hormonal changes indicating hypothalamic suppression. This suggests intense training may disrupt reproductive health in elite sports.

    More Related Videos

    Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis
    06:22

    Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

    Published on: September 1, 2019

    Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
    10:08

    Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players

    Published on: June 10, 2025

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

    Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics
    09:29

    Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics

    Published on: December 14, 2011

    Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis
    06:22

    Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

    Published on: September 1, 2019

    Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
    10:08

    Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players

    Published on: June 10, 2025

    Area of Science:

    • Sports Medicine
    • Endocrinology
    • Reproductive Health

    Background:

    • Elite female athletes are susceptible to menstrual irregularities.
    • Secondary amenorrhea, defined as the absence of menstruation for over four months, affects a subset of these athletes.
    • Understanding the underlying physiological mechanisms is crucial for athlete well-being.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the hormonal profiles of Norwegian female top athletes experiencing secondary amenorrhea.
    • To identify potential endocrine disruptions associated with intense training and menstrual dysfunction in this population.

    Main Methods:

    • A questionnaire was administered to 301 Norwegian national team athletes regarding menstrual function.
    • 179 athletes without oral contraceptive use were analyzed.
    • Hormonal analyses (FSH, estradiol, prolactin, androgens) were performed on blood samples from 18 athletes with secondary amenorrhea.

    Main Results:

    • Athletes with secondary amenorrhea had a significantly later age at menarche (14.6 years) compared to controls (13.5 years).
    • Hormonal analysis revealed normoprolactinemic hypothalamic suppression, with low FSH, estradiol, and prolactin levels.
    • Elevated dihydrotestosterone and upper-normal testosterone levels, with lower-normal sex hormone-binding globulin, were observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Secondary amenorrhea in elite female athletes is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis suppression.
    • These hormonal changes suggest that intense training can lead to reproductive endocrine dysfunction.
    • Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications and management strategies for these athletes.