The 5 Main Hormones
There are five main hormones inside a woman’s body that are essential for things like sex drive, reproduction, menstrual cycles, sperm counts, and ovulation. Three of the hormones LH, FSH, and GnRH are located in the brain, while the other two Estrogen and Progesterone are located in the vaginal area. In this article we will cover what each one does then explain how they make each other work.
GnRH – it’s necessary for correct reproduction functions and it controls the process of follicular growth, ovulation and corpus luteum maintenance in women and spermatogenesis in men.
FSH – it’s critical for sperm production and it controls the menstrual cycle and production of eggs by the ovaries.
LH – it’s essential in both males and females for reproduction, and is required for the continued development and function the corpea lutea.
Estrogen – it’s produced in high amounts right before ovulation, and also helps the uterus rebuild its lining after menstruation.
Progesterone – thickens the nutrient based endometrium in preparation to receive a fertilized egg and also causes a woman’s temperature to rise which is important if conception has taken place.
Working Together
Menstruation begins on Day 1, or the first day of bleeding. Day 1 also starts off the Follicular phase which lasts 1-14 days. At this time, up your spine and in your brain GnRH is starting to come alive. This hormone controls and stimulates the secretion of FSH and LH by pulses, as well as feedback from androgens and estrogens. For men, the pulses happen at a constant and consistent pace, while the pulses inside of women vary during the menstrual cycle. As you move through the Follicular phase, lower frequency pulses lead to FSH release and high frequency pulses lead to LH release, and cause the Estrogen levels to continue to increase until it triggers an LH surge, which occurs right before ovulation and lasts only 24-36 hours.
Estrogen and Progesterone act as feedback controls towards the brain hormones LH and FSH, or in other words, the two sex hormones travel up to the brain to either increase or decrease the amount of LH or FSH being produced. The feedback helps regulate the timing and events of the menstrual cycle. Once your body has reached ovulation (Day 15) you move into the Luteal phase where Progesterone is ready to do its job. At the very end of the Luteal phase a slight rise in FSH levels occur which are important to begin the next ovulatory cycle.
