How do hormones control the menstrual cycle, and how can fertility be controlled?
The hormones of reproduction, the role of oestrogen and testosterone in puberty, the four hormones of the menstrual cycle (FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone), and methods of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception and fertility treatment.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Biology 4.5.3.3, covering the hormones of reproduction, the menstrual cycle hormones FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone, and methods of contraception and fertility treatment.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to describe the role of hormones in reproduction and puberty, explain how the four menstrual-cycle hormones interact, and evaluate methods of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, plus fertility treatments such as IVF.
Hormones at puberty
The menstrual cycle
Four hormones control the menstrual cycle, and AQA expects you to know the gland, the role and the order:
The interactions between these hormones are an example of hormonal control by feedback: oestrogen inhibits FSH, which is exactly how the contraceptive pill works. A useful way to picture the cycle is in four stages over about 28 days: the lining breaks down (days 1 to 5, menstruation); FSH and oestrogen rebuild the lining and mature an egg (days 5 to 14); ovulation occurs around day 14 when LH peaks; and progesterone then maintains the lining (days 14 to 28). If the egg is not fertilised, progesterone falls and the cycle starts again. AQA often shows a graph of the four hormone levels and asks you to match a peak to a hormone or to explain what happens at a labelled day, so linking each hormone to its part of the cycle is essential.
Contraception
- Hormonal methods: the oral contraceptive pill contains hormones (oestrogen and/or progesterone) that inhibit FSH so that no egg matures; injections, implants, patches and the hormonal coil work similarly and last longer.
- Non-hormonal methods: condoms and diaphragms are barrier methods that stop sperm reaching the egg; intrauterine devices, spermicides, abstinence (especially around ovulation) and surgical sterilisation are also used.
When AQA asks you to compare methods, useful points are effectiveness, ease of use, protection against sexually transmitted infections (only barrier methods protect), and side effects of hormonal methods.
Fertility treatment
Try this
Q1. Name the hormone that triggers ovulation. [1 mark]
- Cue. LH (luteinising hormone).
Q2. Explain how the contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy. [2 marks]
- Cue. It contains hormones that inhibit FSH, so no egg matures and is released.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20194 marksDescribe the roles of the four hormones FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone in controlling the menstrual cycle.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark describe question rewards the correct role of each hormone in sequence.
FSH is released by the pituitary and causes an egg to mature in an ovary, and it stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen. Oestrogen, from the ovary, makes the lining of the uterus grow and thicken; it also inhibits FSH and stimulates the release of LH. LH, from the pituitary, triggers ovulation (the release of the mature egg) at about day 14. Progesterone, from the ovary after ovulation, maintains the thick uterus lining; when its level falls, the lining breaks down and menstruation occurs.
Markers reward one correct role for each of the four hormones, ideally in the right order.
AQA 20224 marksEvaluate the use of IVF as a treatment for couples who cannot have children naturally.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark evaluate question wants benefits, drawbacks and a judgement.
Benefits: IVF allows couples who are infertile to have a biologically related child. The woman is given FSH and LH so several eggs mature; the eggs are collected and fertilised by sperm in the laboratory, and one or two embryos are placed back in the uterus.
Drawbacks: success rates are relatively low, so several attempts may be needed; it is physically and emotionally stressful and expensive; the use of fertility drugs can lead to multiple births, which carries risks to mother and babies; and some people have ethical objections to creating and discarding spare embryos.
Judgement: IVF gives many couples a child they could not otherwise have, but the low success rate, cost, stress and ethical issues must be weighed. Markers reward at least one benefit, one drawback and a clear conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Biology (8461) specification — AQA (2016)