Question

Describe what is happening during the female monthly cycle related to:

FSH, LH, estrogens, and progesterones

The follicles in the ovaries

The lining of the uterus

Answer 1

The human female reproductive system works in a highly orchesterated manner where different steroid hormones play very critical role. The role of each hormone and associated anatomical structures can be found as below:

1. FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone or FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland and under the action of this hormone, the follicles of the ovaries start maturing. This means that the secretion of a mature ovarain follicle takes place under the enhanced concentration of this hormone. The concentration of this hormone is maximum 15-18 days before menstruation.
2. LH: Luteinizing hormonor or LH is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain. Under the action of this hormone, the matured follicle is released out of the ovaries as it travels through the ovarian duct towards the uterus. Its concentration is maximum in the body before 10-15 days before menstruation.
3. Estrogen: Estrogen is the primary steroid hormone of human female reproductive system. This hormone functions in developing the primary as well as secondary sexual female characters. It helps in developing physcial female characters as well as developing anatomical features. It mediates the development of uterus and uterine lining for implantation, helps in muscularization of the uterine wall and prepares the reproductive system for fertilization and implantation.
4. Progesterone: This hormone mainly comes into action when fertilization has taken place between the egg and the sperm. It helps in maintaining the uterine lining of blood vessels and helps the fertilized egg to develop. This hormone, hence, maintains pregnancy.
5. Follicles in the ovaries: As puberty is achieved, the follicles of ovaries start maturing. They release a mature follicle every month under the action of LH and FSH.
6. Lining of the uterus: Every month, the uterus prepares itself to undergo implantation of the fertilized egg. In order to do so, the internal lining of the uterus undergoes vascularization and new blood vessels are formulated in it. If fertilization and implantation takes place, these blood vessels undergo intense strengthening and become more dense. If no fertilization and implantation occur, these blood vessels are shed off and the uterus is cleared out. This takes place in the form of menstrual blood in a period of 17-40 days every month.