Hey what's up guys and welcome to the Physician Assistant Boards

podcast and today we're going to take a little bit of time to talk about the

menstrual cycle. So I know this was a confusing concept during school so we'll go over a little bit the physiology. the

physiology, and then we're going to go over some common problems to really drive home this point

as to how these hormones can come into play to affect the menstrual cycle.

But before we get started, I just want to thank everybody for supporting the podcast.

And I realized this past week that we were actually featured on the new and noteworthy section

of the Medicine category in iTunes, which is pretty cool.

So I want to thank you guys for that, but if you guys can take some time just to give the

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I would really appreciate the gesture.

All right, so with that said, let's get started with the female reproductive system.

So there's a couple things you do. with the female reproductive system.

So there's a couple things you need to know.

Menarchy is considered the beginning of menstruation

or ovulation, which typically begins at an average age of 11.

The first couple of years into menstruation, a woman is not going to ovulate regularly,

and that's okay. Therefore, it's normal for a patient to have an irregular period for the first couple of years.

Menopause, on the other hand, signals the end of ovulation,

and this usually occurs around the age of 51.

Now, menopause is diagnosed after... and this usually occurs around the age of 51.

Now, menopause is diagnosed

...