The fertility cycle
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how fertility changes during the menstrual cycle and how it changes over a life course.
Key learning points
- Fertility varies throughout the menstrual cycle, with the highest chance of conception occurring during ovulation.
- Fertility declines with age for both men and women.
- Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and significantly impacts fertility.
- Lifestyle choices affect fertility for men and women.
Keywords
Ovulation - the release of eggs from the ovaries, a key part of the female reproductive cycle
Fertility - how well a person can produce eggs or sperm and achieve pregnancy
Menopause - when a female’s monthly periods end and the body stops releasing eggs, typically occurring in their mid-50s
Common misconception
Menopause occurs at the same age for all women.
Menopause typically occurs around age 55 but can vary greatly.
Teacher tip
You may want to work with your Science Department to ensure common language and approaches.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means the period from conception to birth?
Q2. relates to the care and support given during pregnancy and before birth.
Q3.What does each trimester represent during pregnancy?
Q4.At what point is the embryo now referred to as the foetus?
Q5.Match the foetus' developmental stage with the correct trimester.
the foetus' brain, spinal cord and major organs begin to form
the foetus can hear sounds from outside the womb
the foetus' organs mature and their lungs develop fully
Q6.Put the developmental stages of a foetus in the correct order, starting with the earliest.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which phase of the menstrual cycle has the highest chance of conception?
Q2.A female's fertility with age, particularly after 35, due to a decrease in the number and quality of eggs.
Q3.Match the term to its correct definition.
the release of an egg from the ovaries
how well a person can produce eggs or sperm and achieve pregnancy
when a female's monthly periods end and the body stops releasing eggs
factors which can affect fertility in both males and females
Q4.At approximately what age does menopause typically occur?
Q5.Why does female fertility change with age?
Q6.Put the phases of the menstrual cycle in order, starting with the earliest.
To help you plan your 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: The fertility cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: The fertility cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Healthy intimate relationships: What are my choices in pregnancy? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.