Biological Rhythms: Infradian and ultradian rhythms

Infradian and ultradian rhythms

Infradian rhythms

• The menstrual cycle
  • The female menstrual cycle, an example of an infradian rhythm, is governed by monthly changes in hormone levels which regulate ovulation
  • The cycle refers to the time between the first day of a woman's period, when the womb lining is shed, to the day before her next period (28 days)
  • Oestrogen causes the ovary to develop an egg and release it
  • After ovulation, progesterone helps the womb lining to grow thicker,readying the body for pregnancy
  • If pregnancy does not occur, egg is absorbed into body and womb lining comes away and leaves body
• Research study
  • Although the menstrual cycle is an endogenous system, evidence suggests it may be influenced by exogenous factors such as the cycles of other women
  • McClintock used 29 women with a history of irregular periods
  • Samples of pheromones were gathered from 9 of the women at different stages in their cycles, via a cotton pad placed in their armpit
  • Pads treated with alcohol and frozen, to be rubbed on the upper lip of other ppts
  • On day one, pads from the start of the cycle were applied to all 20 women
  • Day 2, all given pad from second day of cycle
  • 68% of women experienced changes to their cycles which brought them closer to the cycle of their 'odour donor'
• Seasonal affective disorder
  • SAD is a depressive disorder which has a seasonal pattern of onset
  • Often referred to as the winter blues as the…