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Prepare a graph of menstrual cycle with levels of hormones through out normal menstrual cycle
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Here is the graph:
menstrual cycle hormones
Image · PNG
What the Graph Shows
The graph is divided into 3 panels across a standard 28-day cycle:
Panel 1 - Gonadotropins (FSH & LH)
- FSH (blue): Rises slightly in the early follicular phase to stimulate follicle development, co-peaks with LH at ovulation, then falls during the luteal phase.
- LH (red): Remains low throughout, then produces a sharp mid-cycle surge at ~Day 13 - this surge triggers ovulation at Day 14.
Panel 2 - Ovarian Hormones (Estrogen & Progesterone)
- Estrogen/E₂ (orange): Rises progressively during the follicular phase, reaching its first peak around Day 12 (triggering the LH surge). After ovulation it dips briefly, then rises to a smaller secondary peak around Day 21 from the corpus luteum.
- Progesterone/P₄ (purple): Near zero during the follicular phase. Rises sharply after ovulation and peaks around Day 21 under the influence of the corpus luteum. Falls at the end of the luteal phase as the corpus luteum regresses, causing menstruation.
Panel 3 - Phases & Endometrial Changes
| Phase | Days | Dominant Hormone | Endometrium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menstruation | 1-5 | None (hormone withdrawal) | Shedding |
| Follicular / Proliferative | 5-14 | Estrogen | Regeneration & growth |
| Ovulation | Day 14 | LH surge | - |
| Luteal / Secretory | 14-28 | Progesterone | Secretory glandular changes |
Based on: Costanzo Physiology 7th Ed. & Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology 26th Ed.
Is fsh graph is crt
Good question! The FSH curve in the graph is mostly correct but has a subtle inaccuracy. Let me explain:
What the graph shows:
- FSH rises early in the follicular phase, co-peaks with LH at ~Day 13, then drops in the luteal phase.
What is correct:
- FSH does rise in the early follicular phase to recruit and stimulate follicle growth.
- FSH does have a co-surge with LH just before ovulation (~Day 12-13) - this is physiologically accurate.
- FSH is suppressed during the luteal phase - correct.
What could be more accurate:
- The early follicular FSH rise should be more of a gentle, sustained elevation from Day 1-10 (not a sharp early peak), as FSH steadily drives follicle maturation.
- The mid-cycle FSH surge is real but smaller and shorter than the LH surge - the LH:FSH surge ratio is roughly 3:1 to 10:1. The graph captures this correctly.
- There is a small but important rise in FSH at the very end of the luteal phase (Day 25-28) - this is the "intercycle FSH rise" that begins recruiting the next cohort of follicles before menstruation. This is often missing from simplified diagrams.
Summary:
The graph is largely correct for a teaching/overview purpose. The one missing element is the late luteal/early intercycle FSH rise around Day 25-28, which is an important physiologic detail seen in more detailed textbook diagrams (e.g., Ganong's, Costanzo).
Would you like me to regenerate the graph with a more precise FSH curve including that late-cycle rise?
Regenerate the graph with corrected FSH intercycle rise
Running Command
Here is the corrected graph:
menstrual cycle corrected
Image · PNG
Corrections made to FSH:
| Feature | Previous (incorrect) | Corrected |
|---|---|---|
| Early follicular shape | Sharp early peak (Day 3) | Gentle, sustained broad rise (Days 1-10) |
| Mid-cycle co-surge | Present (correct) | Retained - smaller than LH surge |
| Luteal phase | Flat suppression | Mild suppression, then rises |
| Late luteal rise (Day 25-28) | Missing | Added - intercycle FSH rise |
Why the intercycle FSH rise matters:
- As progesterone and estrogen fall at the end of the luteal phase (Days 25-28), their negative feedback on the pituitary is removed.
- FSH begins rising before menstruation even starts - this is what recruits the next cohort of antral follicles for the upcoming cycle.
- This is an important physiological detail described in Ganong's and Costanzo, and is why follicle recruitment is already underway before the previous cycle ends.
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