Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Willow and I'm going to be your teacher for today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called the Fertility Cycle, and it fits into the unit, Healthy intimate relationships: What are my choices in pregnancy? During this lesson, we are going to be talking about some sensitive content as well, so for this lesson, we require you to have an adult with you.

If at any point you do feel worried or uncomfortable, it's really important that you stop the lesson and speak to a trusted adult.

Okay, let's make a start.

By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain how fertility changes during the menstrual cycle and how it changes over a life course.

Before we get started with today's lesson, we need to go over some ground rules.

This helps to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable during today's lesson.

Laura says that we need to listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should always listen properly before we make any assumptions or before we decide how to respond.

When we disagree with someone else, it's important to challenge the statement and not the person themselves.

Next, Andeep says that we need to respect each other's privacy.

We can discuss examples, but we shouldn't use any names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves.

Jacob says, no judgment.

We can explore any beliefs and misunderstandings about the topic without fear of being judged.

And finally, Izzy says that we can choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or to join in with discussion.

We should never put anyone on the spot.

We're now going to go through the keywords for today's lesson.

First of all, we have the word ovulation.

This is the release of eggs from the ovaries, a key part of the female reproductive cycle.

Fertility, how well a person could produce eggs or sperm and achieve pregnancy.

And menopause, this is when a female's monthly periods end and the body stops releasing eggs, typically occurring in their mid fifties.

Today's lesson is put into two learning cycles.

Our first learning cycle is called What are the phases of the menstrual cycle? And our second learning cycle is called How does fertility change? Let's make a start on our first learning cycle, What are the phases of the menstrual cycle? The menstrual cycle is typically 28 days long, but can range between 21 to 35 days.

It consists of four phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

Let's do a check for understanding to see what you remember so far.

Which phase is missing from the menstrual cycle? The menstrual phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

Which phase is missing? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the missing phase is the follicular phase Phase one is the menstrual phase.

This occurs on days one to five approximately and is when the cycle officially starts.

The menstrual phase begins when the uterus sheds its lining.

This occurs due to a drop in progesterone and estrogen levels.

In this image, you can see what the menstrual phase can look like in the female reproductive system.

Phase two is called the follicular phase.

This occurs on days one to 13 of the cycle approximately, and this is going to be different for everyone.

This phase overlaps with the menstrual phase initially, but then continues on its own from day six onwards.

In this phase, follicle stimulating hormone, often called FSH, stimulates the ovaries to produce follicles.

One follicle matures into an egg, and in this image you can see what the follicular phase can look like in the female reproductive system.

As you can see in this image, we can see one follicle maturing into an egg ready to be released.

Next, we have phase three, which is ovulation.

At around day 14, a surge in luteinizing hormone, often called LH, triggers ovulation.

Ovulation is when fertility is at its peak as this is when the egg is released from the ovary and it's available for fertilization.

This could mean that someone then becomes pregnant.

In this image, you can see what ovulation can look like in the female reproductive system.

We can see that an egg has been released from the ovary.

Phase four is called the luteal phase.

This occurs on days 15 to 28, approximately.

After ovulation, progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy.

If fertilization does not occur, hormone levels drop, leading to menstruation and the cycle begins again.

In this image, if this egg was not to be fertilized, this is where menstruation would then occur and this person would not become pregnant.

Menstrual cycles can be what we call irregular when periods first start.

Many factors can disrupt the menstrual cycle, including stress, travel, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy.

So for example, instead of their period arriving at the same time approximately every month, they might find that their cycle is a little bit more irregular and their period comes at slightly different times each month.

During the menstrual cycle, physical and emotional symptoms may change as hormone levels rise and fall.

Let's do a check for understanding to see how you're doing.

Which of these hormones triggers ovulation? A: progesterone, B: luteinizing hormone, LH, or C: follicle stimulating hormone, often called FSH.

Which of these hormones triggers ovulation? Can you remember? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that B, luteinizing hormone, LH is correct, this is the hormone that triggers ovulation.

Well done if you got this right.

A common misconception about fertility is that a female can't get pregnant during their period.

This is not accurate.

While pregnancy is less likely during menstruation, it can still happen, particularly for females with shorter menstrual cycles.

So this is considered to be 21 days or less.

So this would mean that they get their period approximately every 21 days or less.

Irregular periods, longer periods, so for example, periods that last for over seven days.

A female can still get pregnant during their period because sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days.

So if someone has a short cycle or a long period, ovulation might occur soon after the period ends, meaning that sperm from intercourse during menstruation could still be present when the egg is released, and this could lead to fertilization and pregnancy.

This means that there is no completely safe time in the menstrual cycle when pregnancy cannot occur.

Anyone who is sexually active and doesn't want to become pregnant should use reliable contraception consistently.

This could mean using condoms or using something like the combined pill, but there are lots of different options available for different people.

Let's do a check for understanding to see how you're doing so far.

Is the statement true or false? The luteal phase is when fertility is at its peak due to progesterone levels rising.

Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is false, but why? You might have said something like: Ovulation is when fertility is at its peak because this is when the egg is released from the ovary and it is available for fertilization.

Well done if you said the same thing.

Let's move on to your first practice task.

For the first part of this task, I'd like you to label the diagram of the menstrual cycle, and for the second part of this task, I'd like you to highlight the phase when a female is most fertile.

Pause the video and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

Okay, so your completed diagram should look a little bit like this.

You should have the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase, and the menstrual phase.

Ovulation should be highlighted because this is when a female is at their peak fertility and they're most likely to get pregnant around this time.

Let's move on to the third part of this task.

This person holds a common misconception relating to female fertility.

Explain to them why someone can still get pregnant on their period.

This person says a female can't get pregnant during the menstrual phase.

Can you explain to them why this is not true and why someone can still get pregnant if they're on their period? Pause the video and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

You might have said that this misconception isn't true because pregnancy can happen during menstruation.

The main reason is that sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days after intercourse.

So if someone has sex during their period, those sperm could still be alive when ovulation occurs later in the cycle, and this could lead to fertilization and pregnancy.

This is especially likely for females with shorter cycles who experience irregular periods or longer periods because ovulation might happen soon after menstruation ends.

This shows why reliable contraception is important for anyone who's sexually active, who doesn't want to become pregnant.

Well done if your answer was anything like this.

We are now moving on to our second learning cycle.

How does fertility change? Dr.

Elsie says that fertility follows different patterns throughout life, with distinct timelines for males and females, from puberty through to older age.

Understanding these changes helps people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

We are now going to look at the female reproductive changes and fertility timeline.

So between the ages of eight to 14-years-old, someone can experience menarche.

This means their first period, and ovulation begins around here too.

Between late teens to mid twenties is peak fertility.

This is when eggs are healthiest in females and ovulation is the most regular.

At around 30, fertility begins to gradually decline.

From mid thirties onwards, there's a more rapid fertility decline, which could mean that someone finds it harder to become pregnant.

Between 45 to 55 years old is perimenopause, which is the transition to menopause, and this can mean irregular periods and changing hormones.

Finally, around the ages of 55 and older, someone can experience menopause.

This is when periods end completely and natural fertility stops, which means that someone becomes unable to experience natural pregnancy.

So this is what the fertility timeline can look like in females.

Let's do a check for understanding to see how you're doing.

When does fertility for females start to decline significantly? Is it at A: 20 years old, B: 35 years old, or C: 50 years old? When does fertility for females start to decline significantly? Can you remember? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that B is correct.

At around the age of 35 years old is when, for females, fertility starts to decline significantly.

Well done if you got this right.

Female fertility begins to decline from around 30, making conception more challenging as time goes on.

This happens because females are born with a fixed number of eggs and both the quantity and quality of these eggs decrease with age.

Dr.

Elsie says that some women choose to freeze their eggs to preserve their fertility for the future.

This process allows them to use healthier, younger eggs later in life if they do decide to have children at a later stage.

Now we're gonna talk about perimenopause and fertility.

Although periods may still occur during perimenopause, fertility is significantly reduced compared to the younger years.

The remaining eggs are of lower quality and ovulation becomes less predictable due to hormonal changes.

While pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, it becomes much less likely.

Now we're going to talk about menopause and fertility.

Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.

It is officially reached when periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months or a year.

At this point, ovulation stops completely and natural pregnancy is no longer possible.

Menopause usually happens around age 55.

The exact age can vary for each female or woman, sometimes earlier, sometimes later.

Fertility gradually declines before menopause, during perimenopause and then ends completely once menopause has occurred.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Is the statement true or false? Menopause occurs at the same age for all women or females? What do you think? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself? Well done if you said that this is false.

But why? You might have said that menopause doesn't happen at the same age for everyone.

Whilst the average age is around 55, some women and females experience it earlier or later.

We're now going to look at the fertility timeline for males and reproductive changes.

So between 13 and 14-years-old is when sperm production begins, so this is the start of fertility and when they could get someone else pregnant.

From the late teens to late twenties, this is peak fertility.

This is when sperm count is highest and of its highest quality too.

At around 40 to 45, this is when fertility begins to decline gradually in males, so sperm production and the quality of the sperm decrease.

There's no clear end point though.

Unlike females, males don't have a definitive end to fertility like with menopause, but sperm quality does continue to decline with age.

Dr.

Elsie says that males can potentially remain fertile throughout their lives, though the quality and quantity of sperm decreases as they age, making conception more challenging over time.

Dr.

Elsie says that it's important to remember that these are average ages and everyone's experience is going to be different.

Some people may experience these changes earlier or later than the typical ranges shown in this lesson.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Is the statement true or false? Male fertility gradually declines from around 40 to 45 with reduced sperm quality.

What do you think? Is this true or false? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is true.

It is true that male fertility does gradually decline from around the ages of 40 to 45, with reduced sperm quality as well.

Well done if you got this right.

Lifestyle factors can also affect someone's fertility.

Dr.

Elsie says that smoking can damage eggs and sperm, making it harder to have children naturally in the future.

Recent research suggests that vaping can reduce sperm count and quality too, and that nicotine and flavorings used in vapes may also affect women's fertility.

Alcohol and drugs can also upset hormone balances and reduce fertility as well.

Dr.

Elsie says that poor diet or obesity also makes it harder for the body to stay fertile for both males and females.

Eating well supports reproductive health.

And Nurse Daniel says that high stress and lack of sleep also interferes with hormones.

The body needs rest and calm to work at its best.

Dr.

Elsie says that many people speak to their GP about fertility, particularly when they're planning to start a family or experiencing difficulties conceiving naturally.

Healthcare professionals can provide valuable support and guidance on a variety of different topics, including fertility assessments and testing for both partners, advice on improving their health before conception and referrals to specialist fertility clinics if needed.

Let's do another check for understanding.

I'd like you to complete the sentence with the missing words.

A variety of blank factors can affect fertility including smoking, blank, alcohol and drug use.

What are the missing words in that sentence? Pause the video, talk to the people around you or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the missing words were lifestyle and vaping.

The completed sentence should now say: A variety of lifestyle factors can affect fertility, including smoking, vaping, alcohol and drug use.

Well done if you got this right.

We're now moving on to our final practice task and well done for your hard work so far.

In this task, the Oak National Academy pupils are talking about what they've learned about fertility.

I'd like you to finish their sentences to complete their discussion.

Andeep says, "For males, fertility is highest.

." Izzy says, "For females, fertility is highest.

." Laura says, "Menopause means.

." And Alex says, "Fertility for males and females can be affected by.

." Can you complete all of these sentences to complete the discussion between the Oak National Academy pupils? Pause the video and we'll go through some model answers in a few minutes.

Okay, so your completed sentences should have looked like this.

Andeep might now say, "For males, fertility is highest in the late teens to late twenties when sperm count and quality are at their best." Izzy might now say that "For females, fertility is highest in the late teens and mid twenties, when eggs are healthiest and ovulation is regular." Laura might now say, "Menopause means ovulation has stopped for 12 consecutive months or a year.

This typically happens for women around the age of 55 and means that they can no longer get pregnant naturally." Alex might now say, "Fertility for males and females can be affected by lifestyle choices, such as smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, drug use, poor diet, stress or lack of sleep." Well done if your sentences looked anything like this.

We're now going to summarize the key learning from today's lesson.

In today's lesson, we have learned that fertility varies throughout the menstrual cycle with ovulation being when conception is most likely to occur.

For both males and females, fertility peaks in the late teens and twenties, then it declines with age.

Females experience a more rapid decline while males see gradual decline.

Females experience menarche around eight to 14-years-old, which means they get their first period followed by regular menstruation until perimenopause in their forties to fifties.

Menopause marks the complete end of female fertility at around the age of 55.

Males begin sperm production around 13 to 14 years old.

Sperm declines from around 40 to 45 years old, but there is no definitive fertility endpoint like menopause.

Lifestyle choices can reduce fertility for both males and females.

In today's lesson, you might have found that you've got some worries or questions, and if you do, it's really important that you share these with a trusted adult.

There's also some resources on the screen that are there to help you too.

Well done for your hard work today.

I hope to see you in another lesson soon.