 Allergies [27]
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy.
Antidepressants [29]
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia.
Arthritis [12]
Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body.
Cancer [26]
Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth
Cardio & Blood [1]
Risk factors for heart disease: infections
Cholesterol [2]
A fat-like substance called a lipid. It is used to build cell membranes, hormones and bile acids
Diabetes [23]
The inability of the body to produce, or the inability to metabolize, the human hormone insulin; Diabetes insipidus, usually a disorder of the ...
Epilepsy [6]
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures
Gastrointestinal [2]
The digestive tract is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food...
General Health [144]
The infant, child or young person?s current health condition
Herbal [18]
Herbal tea, herbal medicine
Hormonal [21]
Hormones - Proteins produced by organs of the body that trigger activity in other locations.
Men's Health [1]
For men on fitness, health, sex, caree
Pain relief [16]
Pain management is the medical discipline concerned with the relief of pain.
Skin care [15]
The skin is the outer covering of the body
Weight Loss [21]
Loss of body weight by dieting or due to various easting disorders or medical conditions.
Women's Health [20]
Find information on women's health issues, and lifestyle at the Women's Health
Awaiting moderation 88 Article
|
Solutions to infertility: what happens in a monthly cycle? SOLUTIONS TO INFERTILITY: WHAT HAPPENS IN A MONTHLY CYCLE?
As you can see, the monthly cycle is governed by the reproductive hormones, the main ones being oestrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH).
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers and the word conies from a Greek word meaning 'urge on'. Carried in the bloodstream, they trigger activity in different organs and body parts. The reproductive hormones control the monthly cycle and help to maintain pregnancy.
At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, the oestrogen and progesterone levels are low and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain which controls the whole endocrine (hormone) system.
This begins the process of ovulation by stimulating the ovaries to produce the hormone, oestrogen.
Oestrogen
Oestrogen is not just one hormone but several grouped together. But for the sake of clarity I will use the term oestrogen to include all of them. Oestrogen is the key hormone responsible for a woman maturing from childhood to adulthood. It causes the breasts to develop and produces the characteristic feminine shape.
The lining of the womb (uterus) starts to thicken each month as it prepares to receive a fertilised egg.
Ovulation
The oestrogen level continues to rise until the middle of the month when the pituitary gland produces luteinising hormone (LH) which triggers ovulation. The egg (ovum) is then released from a follicle in the ovary and passes down the fallopian tube.
After ovulation, the ovaries produce progesterone, which prevents any further ovulation taking place in that cycle. If fertilisation does not occur, the lining of the womb breaks down and menstruation takes place. At the same time there is a dramatic and rapid fall in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone and, with this drop in hormone levels, the cycle starts all over again.
Fertilisation
When fertilisation occurs the egg implants itself into the thick and nourishing wall of the womb, where it begins to develop.
Fertilisation usually takes place in the fallopian tube. Once this has happened, the empty follicle, which released the egg, forms the corpus luteum which produces progesterone.
In each menstrual cycle, a group of about 20 follicles containing the developing eggs grows on the surface of the ovary. Generally only the biggest follicle continues to develop, which is why humans usually only have one baby at a time.
Progesterone
Progesterone is an important hormone in fertility because it maintains the womb lining during the second half of the cycle, in readiness for a fertilised egg. It is also responsible for maintaining the pregnancy.
*19/73/5*
WOMEN’S HEALTH
«Canada Online Pharmacy»
 Print
Viewed: 149
| Keywords for this page: Solutions to infertility: what happens in a monthly cycle? |
|
|
Fresh materia
What are symptoms of endometriosis: bowel symptoms, bladder symptoms, infertility