Female Fertility Hormones & What They Do

There are lots of female hormones that actively maintain women's health and the reproductive system. When you are actively trying to get pregnant and start to read up on reproductive bodily functions, it’s important to understand the roles that these hormones play.

Estrogen:

• Estrogen is a group of hormones that includes estrone, estradiol, and estriol. It is produced mainly by the ovaries and is essential for the development of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics.

• It also regulates the menstrual cycle, promotes the thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium) in preparation for a fertilized egg, and helps in the release of eggs during ovulation.

Progesterone:

• Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (the structure formed from the follicle after ovulation) and later by the placenta during pregnancy.

• It helps maintain the uterine lining for the implantation of a fertilized egg and supports early pregnancy. A drop in progesterone levels can trigger menstruation if pregnancy does not occur.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH):

• FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and is vital for ovarian function. It stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles (which contain eggs) during the first half of the menstrual cycle.

• FSH levels rise at the beginning of the cycle to promote egg maturation.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH):

• LH is another hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It works in tandem with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

• A surge in LH levels triggers ovulation, causing the mature follicle to release an egg.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH):

• GnRH is produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland.

• The timing and pulsatile release of GnRH regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG):

• hCG is produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining.

• This hormone is the basis of most pregnancy tests and helps maintain the corpus luteum, ensuring continued progesterone production to sustain the pregnancy.

Inhibin:

• Inhibin is produced by the ovaries and regulates FSH production. It helps prevent excessive follicle development by inhibiting the release of FSH once the follicles mature.

Prolactin:

• Prolactin, produced by the pituitary gland, primarily promotes milk production after childbirth. Elevated levels of prolactin can interfere with ovulation and fertility by suppressing the secretion of GnRH.

These hormones interact in a complex way to ensure regular menstrual cycles, ovulation, and, if conception occurs, the maintenance of pregnancy. Any imbalance in these hormones can affect fertility. A good fertility supplement can help optimize these hormones and aid in getting pregnant.