Hormones involved in the Menstrual Cycle


Hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain

1.    FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)

·    Stimulates the development of a follicle in the ovary, and within the follicle the egg matures and ripens.

·    Stimulates the ovaries to produce hormones such as oestrogen.

2.    LH (luteinising hormone)

·    Stimulates  the release of egg from the ovary in the middle of the menstrual cycle

·    Stimulates the ovary to produce progesterone to keep the uterus lining in place.


Hormones produced by the ovaries

1.    Oestrogen

·    Stimulates the lining of the uterus to build up in preparation for pregnancy.

·    Affect the pituitary gland.

Ø  As the oestrogen levels rises, the production of FSH falls gradually and this would causes the oestrogen level to fall also.

Ø  The rise in the oestrogen level causes the production of LH to increase. When LH reaches its peak in the middle of the menstrual cycle, it stimulates the release of the ripe egg from the ovary.

2.    Progesterone

·    Maintains the thick lining of the uterus

·    Stimulates the growth of blood vessels in the lining to prepare for pregnancy.

·    Helps to maintain pregnancy if a fertilised ovum arrives in the uterus.




1 comment:

  1. This article gives good explanation about the hormones during the menstrual cycle. I think the graph more clearly explains the rise and fall of the hormones during the menstrual phase, I'm glad that I got to know about this in an easy way.

    ReplyDelete