Hormones in human reproduction

• LH (luteinising hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland and triggers ovulation (the release of a mature egg).
• Oestrogen is produced by the ovaries and stops FSH being produced, so that only one egg matures in a cycle.
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland and causes an egg to mature in an ovary.
• If a woman becomes pregnant, the placenta produces progesterone which maintains the lining of the uterus during pregnancy and means that menstruation does not happen.
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) also stimulates the ovaries to release oestrogen.
• Oestrogen repairs, thickens and maintains the uterus lining.
• Progesterone is produced by the ovaries and maintains the lining of the uterus during the middle part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.
• Several hormones control this cycle, including FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinising hormone), oestrogen and progesterone.
• The menstrual cycle is a recurring process which takes around 28 days.
• If implantation of the fertilised egg into the uterus lining does not happen, the lining is then shed, this is known as menstruation.
• Hormonal methods of contraception are methods that use hormones to prevent pregnancy.
• Non-hormonal methods of contraception are methods that do not use hormones to prevent pregnancy.
• Evaluating infertility treatments involves assessing the effectiveness of these hormones.
• Oestrogen and progesterone are hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates oestrogen production and the growth of follicles (egg-sacs) in the ovary.
• Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg.
• Oestrogen is a female sex hormone produced in the ovaries, which is responsible for puberty in girls and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
• Progesterone is a sex hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta that maintains the lining of the uterus.
• The menstrual cycles last for approximately 28 days, and graphs can be used to follow changes to the hormones during this process.
• During the first 12 days of the menstrual cycle, oestrogen gradually increases and peaks approximately on the 12th day.
• Progesterone, LH and FSH stay approximately at the same levels and begin to increase slightly from around day 12.
• FSH and LH patterns are very similar and peak during ovulation at approximately 14 days during this cycle.
• Oestrogen drops during days 13 and 14, and progesterone continues to gradually increase until about day 21, when it slowly begins to decrease again.
• Oestrogen mirrors this shape and also has a second lower peak at about day 21.
• Hormones are secreted by glands in the endocrine system.
• During puberty, hormones create changes in physical and emotional characteristics.
• Hormonal methods of contraception use chemical messengers produced in glands and carried by the blood to specific organs in the body to control fertility.
• The oral contraceptive, which is known as the pill, contains oestrogen or progesterone.
• Oestrogen is a female sex hormone produced in the ovaries, which is responsible for puberty in girls and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
• Progesterone is a sex hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta that inhibits the production of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
• FSH stimulates oestrogen production and the growth of follicles (egg-sacs) in the ovary.
• FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland.
• Oral contraceptives are more than 99% effective if taken correctly and can reduce the risk of certain cancers.
• There are possible side effects of oral contraceptives, such as changes in weight, mood and blood pressure due to high levels of oestrogen.
• Modern pills contain much less oestrogen.
• Contraceptive injections, implants or skin patches contain slow release progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs.
• Hormones are secreted by glands in the endocrine system.
• During puberty, hormones create changes in physical and emotional characteristics.
• Hormonal methods of contraception include the combined pill, progestogen-only pill, contraceptive patch, contraceptive ring, and implants.
• Non-hormonal methods of contraception include physical barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms, intrauterine devices (IUD), spermicidal agents, abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct, and surgical methods of male and female sterilisation.