Question

Which of the following statements is incorrect about menstruation in females?

• A. At menopause in the female, there is an abrupt increase in gonadotropic hormones
• B. The first occurrence of menstruation is called menarche
• C. During normal menstruation about 40 mL blood is lost
• D. The menstrual fluid can easily clot

Answer 1

The correct option is D The menstrual fluid can easily clot

The menstrual blood cannot clot easily. For clotting, a pH of 7.4 is required. The pH of the vagina is acidic. So, it doesn’t allow the menstrual blood to clot easily.

Menopause refers to the cessation of the menstrual cycle in a female. It usually marks the end of the reproductive phase in females. At menopause, there is an abrupt increase in the gonadotropic hormones. It is because the secretion of gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary is regulated by the negative feedback mechanism of the hormones of the ovarian follicles. At menopause, there are no functional follicles present, so there is no negative feedback mechanism and the secretion of gonadotropins increase abruptly.

Menarche refers to the onset of the menstrual cycle in a reproductively active female. It begins at around 12-15 years of age.

During normal menstruation, the volume of menstrual blood that is lost ranges from 40-150 ml. This is considered to be normal flow. If it occurs beyond this, it may be considered heavy flow.