The menstrual cycle is controlled by five hormones: estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone. These hormones work together to cause ovulation and prepare the body for possible fertilization. The menstrual cycle has three phases: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal.
Every woman’s body contains hundreds of different hormones, but there are some that work together in complex ways to cause normal menstrual cycles. The hormones of the menstrual cycle include estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Each of these has a different effect on the body and a specific role to play in the menstrual cycle.
The first of the menstrual cycle hormones to come into play is gonadotropin-releasing hormone. It is released in the brain from the hypothalamus and starts a chain reaction for the rest of the hormones in the menstrual cycle. When gonadotropin releasing hormone is released, it stimulates the production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland.
During the menstrual cycle, follicle stimulating hormone promotes the growth of follicles in the ovaries and the production of eggs. Luteinizing hormone works in conjunction with follicle stimulating hormone to cause ovulation, which occurs when an egg is released from the ovary. Levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone rise and fall together during the menstrual cycle. Another function of these two hormones is to make the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone then work together to prepare the body for possible fertilization of the egg.
The menstrual cycle can be divided into three distinct phases, with the first phase starting on the first day of menstruation. During the follicular phase, decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the uterine lining to break down and exit the uterus as menstrual blood. When this occurs, follicle stimulating hormone causes the ovarian follicles to develop, one of which continues to grow and produce estrogen. This follicle contains an egg.
During the ovulatory phase, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones continue to increase and cause the follicle to release the egg. This is ovulation. During this time, estrogen and progesterone levels peak.
In the luteal phase, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels decrease. Progesterone and estrogen work together to thicken the lining of the uterus, in case the egg is fertilized. If the egg isn’t fertilized during your period, progesterone and estrogen levels drop, causing the uterine lining to rupture and your period to start again.
A menstrual cycle consists of a complex series of physiological changes in a woman’s body. The five major hormones of the menstrual cycle play a crucial role in causing these changes. All hormones work together to allow this process to continue properly and ensure reproductive health.
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