Reproductive Hormones

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Reproductive Hormones

Understanding the chemical messages of your body—the female sex hormones and their function in reproduction:

GnRH
  • Released by the hypothalamus, it stimulates the release of FSH and LH (gonadotropins)
  • During the first half of the woman’s menstrual cycle, it stimulates the release of FSH from the pituitary gland
  • During the second half of the cycle it stimulates the release of LH
     
FSH- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Hormone produced by the Pituitary Gland
  • Stimulates the growth of follicles (the fluid filled sacs in the ovaries that house the developing egg)
     
LH- Lutenizing Hormone
  • Produced by the Pituitary Gland
  • Stimulates the follicle to release the egg and the testes to release sperm
  • During the menstrual cycle it stimulates the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), to grow and thicken
  • Its presence causes cervical mucous to become thin, clear and watery at the time of ovulation so sperm can travel to the uterine cavity
     
Progesterone
  • Prepares the uterine lining to receive a fertilized egg
  • If implantation does not occur, production of progesterone falls, triggering menstruation

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