LESSON SIX QUIZ Master Sheet

#1
(day 1 is the first day of menses)

1. The source of estrogen after ovulation is EXTRA-OVARIAN, derived from the ADIPOSE TISSUE

2. Estrogen levels follow a negative feedback with the pituitary, except days 14 and 15 in a 28 day cycle, when they follow a POSITIVE feedback. This, in fact, is a major trigger to OVULATION.

3. Although the pituitary manipulates ovarian hormone secretions with pulses of gonadotropins and maintains feedback, the monitoring of hormone levels and the setting of the “thermostat” is actually done by the HYPOTHALAMUS

4. The follicle contains the maturing egg and secretes the hormone ESTROGEN. As the egg matures, the estrogen RISES. It is stimulated by GONADOTROPINS from the pituitary, which is in turn stimulated by GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE  from the hypothalamus. In the estrogen or follicle phase the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary, which stimulates the ovarian follicle which secreted estrogen...all of these about once an HOUR. As the phase matures, there is increased AMPLITUDE but no change in RATE of the pulse.

5. Just before ovulation, the gradually increasing levels of estrogen reach an amplitude high enough to trigger a shift from NEGATIVE to POSITIVE feedback. This means for a day or two the higher estrogen stimulates higher FSH, which stimulates higher estrogen, etc. a “DOUBLE-POSITIVE” feedback.

6. This positive feedback finishes maturing the EGG, which is ejected through the ruptured follicle. This ceases the secretion by the ovaries of ESTROGEN hormone as well as FSH by the pituitary.

7. The ruptured follicle retracts back into the surface of the ovary and grows a yellow tissue inside that secretes PROGESTERONE into the blood stream. The pituitary changes over to secreting LH (LUTEINIZING HORMONE)  which stimulates the new follicle contents to secrete hormone. Whereas estrogen was pulsed once an hour, PROGESTERONE is pulsed about every five hours. As there is a fixed amount of progesterone that the CORPUS LUTEUM can secrete, every five hours means it will last about 12 days.

8. Overly rapid secretion of progesterone and premature death of the CORPUS LUTEUM is the usual cause of PMS.

9. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide manufactured by the HYPOTHALAMUS and secreted into the bloodstream by the POSTERIOR pituitary. The other similar neuropeptide is ADH.

10. Neuropeptides work quickly. A very common similar neuropeptide is EPINEPHRINE

11. Oxytocin is surged during ovulation: it helps to facilitate the bursting and the resealing of the FOLLICLE, the action of the cilia of the fallopian tubes to move the EGG into the uterus, the vasoconstriction of the uterine blood vessels and the pinching off of blood into the endometrium, making it MENSTRUAL fluid.

12. Oxytocin also stimulates uterine contractions during ORGASM, MENSES, and in BIRTHING. It also stimulates blood vessel constrictions in birthing that aid in the separation of the PLACENTA from the uterus. It also stimulates let-down reflex in LACTATION.

13. Overall metabolism is CATABOLIC under estrogen dominance, ANABOLIC under progesterone dominance.

14. There is a tendency for strongly adrenergic-dominant women to favor the metabolic shift that ESTROGEN induces and find that the anabolism of PROGESTERONE to be a bit “sludgy”. It is just the opposite for anabolic dominant women.

15. Most endometriosis is self limiting. Endometriosis is the presence of uterine lining elsewhere than the uterus. Mostly it naturally occurs in the FALLOPIAN TUBES.

16. Most fallopian endometriosis wears out in time. The ENDOMETRIUM sheds off the fallopian mucosa eventually because it is not supported by PROGESTERONE  sensitive lining.

17. The estrogen phase is also called the PROLIFERATIVE phase; the progesterone phase is also called the SECRETORY phase.

18. About half of the estrogen binding cells only bind estrogen. The other half bind estrogen and then, from the stimulus of estrogen, grow PROGESTERONE  binding sites.

19. It takes about 12 days for the PROGESTERONE binding cells to physically finish the tissue growth that ESTROGEN dictates.  A short progesterone phase means that the secretory phase is INHIBITED.

20. An incomplete secretory phase means that there may not be enough MUCUS secretions to properly liquify menses, enough HEPARIN secretions to prevent clotting, enough LYSOZYME to block infection.

21. Whether ovarian or extra-ovarian, the cervical mucusa needs ESTROGEN to stimulate repair

22. The “hidden” estrus cycle actually starts with ovulation and the freeing of the ”protofollicles”. One survives into menses, and becomes the primary source of ESTROGEN, a maturing FOLLICLE, and then forms the CORPUS LUTEUM, which secretes  PROGESTERONE.

23. As this follicular cycle is 42 days, and overlaps, it may take two or three MONTHS to straighten out the cycle.

#2

1. The major trigger to thyroid elevation in the cycle is PROGESTERONE

2. SOMATOTROPIN from the pituitary is also elevated at about the same time in the cycle.

3. Somatotropin favors PROTEIN metabolism and spares SUGAR metabolism.

4. A bit more critical for males in old age, a healthy old man has good SOMATOTROPIN levels.

5. Consistent premature loss of progesterone because of certain stress patterns results in increased fluid retention from un-opposed ALDOSTERONE, and the rise of ADH from the pituitary.

6. Abnormal rise in prolactin in such a circumstance will elevate brain DOPAMINE.

7. The two together are common causes of PMS

8. With premature loss of progesterone, your period starts HARD and is often CLOTTY.

9. PMS is not a predictable disorder, but rather a reflection of CONSTITUTION.

10. Such syndromes tend to need LIVER support, as there is much anabolic stress.

11. Ovulation, the focal point for many critical changes, can by focused by amplifying oxytocin uptake with COTTON ROOT BARK (GOSSYPIUM)

12. The above best used, in a 28 day cycle, on days 14 AND 15

13. To emphasize the start of menses and endometrial organization, do the same for the two days before MENSES.

14. Although not intrinsically wrong, a consistent 34 day cycle places a woman in ESTROGEN dominance and with a tendency towards excess CATABOLISM.

15. Use SHEPHERD’S PURSE (CAPSELLA) as a first aid hemostatic when there is a tendency for a bit of late-menstrual bleeding.

#3
Review from constitutional workbook

1. Most missed cycles result in an OVARIAN cyst.

2. The cyst will shrink and sometimes form a patch of SCAR TISSUE on the ovary. This can foster more OVARIAN cysts.

3. Since a rapidly resorbed cyst forms no scar tissue, you should foster resorption with RED ROOT (a lymphatic stimulant) and DONG QUAI or GOSSYPIUM (ovarian stimulants)

4. The term for ovulation sensitivity or pain is MITTELSCHMERZ

5. The estrogen phase, when viewed as a somatic response, is called the PROLIFERATIVE phase. The progesterone phase is similarly termed the SECRETORY phase.

More review

6. “Natural Progesterone, U.S.P.” is not naturally derived, but rather structurally identical to native PROGESTERONE

7. Applied topically, such progesterone is absorbed into the fatty tissue and released SLOWLY into the blood, similar to normal steroid hormones.

8. Normal steroid hormones are broken down by the liver at the END of their existence. Synthetic “oral” hormones effect the liver at the BEGINNING of their existence.

9. Diosgenin is a saponin (soap) derived from many species of YAM.

10. It was formerly used in the synthesis of steroid hormones, most notably PROGESTERONE.

11. Dioscorea MEXICANA was cultivated in Mexico as a source of pharmaceutical diosgenin. This is called Mexican Yam.

12. Wild Yam, DIOSCOREA VILLOSA, is a North American woodlands plant, NOT a source of diosgenin, but rather, a reliable ANTISPASMODIC.

13. Statistically, osteoporosis occurs earlier in women who have used HORMONE THERAPY extensively.

14. Mineral Tea (alfalfa, red clover, nettles, oat herb, mormon tea, etc.) is a major therapeutic, along with WEIGHT-BEARING exercise, to oppose osteoporosis.

Review of Patient Questionnaire

#4

Review of Patient Questionnaire and Reproductive Deficiency

1. Frequent use of alcohol, cannabis or cocaine will foster reproductive deficiency symptoms in MEN

2. Social drinking, on the other hand, can create the appearance of false reproductive excess in WOMEN

3. The LEYDIG CELLS of the testes are the source of testosterone.

4. The levels are stimulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE from the pituitary. This is pulsed.

5. Unlike the bloodstream hormonal ebb and flow of women (estrogen/progesterone), testosterone is the only blood hormone for men; it is opposed directly in the TESTES by Sertoli functions.

6. The Sertoli cells secrete ESTROGENS and INHIBIN in the testes, under the stimulus of FSH from the pituitary.

7. “Testosterone is the GAS PEDAL, Sertoli cells are the BRAKES”.

8. Sertoli cells can inhibit LH from the pituitary, which limits testosterone.

9. Excess testosterone can DIMINISH the health of the sperm.

10. Testosterone excess can diminish the health of the Sertoli cells. Besides helping to control excess testosterone, the Sertoli cells are literally in control of the health and maturity of the SPERM

Consult Constitution Handbook for tonic herb review

Review of strategies