Hormones That Play a Role in the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle occurs differently for each woman. It can occur between 22-35 days, but on average it occurs for 28 days. During this process, there are certain hormones that influence the menstrual cycle.

Types of hormones that play a role in the menstrual cycle

The hormones below are also possessed by men, but in women, the following hormones have an important role in the reproductive system.

1. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Follicle-stimulating hormone is an important part of the reproductive system. In women, this hormone plays an important role in preparing the follicle, which contains the egg cell, and becomes a place for the egg cell to mature and release it into the fallopian tube.

2. Estrogen hormone

This hormone is also found in the bodies of men and women. But in women’s bodies there is more of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat tissue.

In a woman’s body, estrogen has many roles. Among other things, estrogen in the ovaries functions to stimulate the growth of egg follicles.

Meanwhile, inside the vagina, it maintains the thickness of the vaginal walls and increases lubrication. In the uterus, estrogen increases and maintains the mucous membrane lining the uterus.

Finally, in the breast, this hormone plays a role in the formation of breast tissue. This hormone also helps stop the flow of breast milk after weaning.

3. Luteinizing hormone or luteinizing hormone (LH)

The LH hormone is found in the bodies of men and women. In women, this hormone plays a role in sexual development and function. LH also helps control the menstrual cycle and triggers the release of eggs or what occurs in the ovulation phase.

4. Progesterone hormone

This hormone is known as one of the two female sex hormones, besides the hormone estrogen. Progesterone has the function of regulating menstruation and supporting pregnancy in women.

Apart from that, progesterone also has another role as a chemical messenger in the body that influences the sleep cycle and digestion.

5. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone

This hormone is called the pregnancy hormone because it is made by cells that form in the placenta. This HCG will make the pregnancy test detect that pregnancy has occurred.

The following is the role of these hormones in the menstrual cycle

In one menstrual cycle there are several phases, namely the menstrual phase, the phase when a woman gets her period to the follicular phase, when the body begins to prepare the egg again.

The next phase is the ovulation phase, when the egg is mature and continues with the luteal phase, when the body prepares for pregnancy. So, here are the roles of the five hormones that have been mentioned in these phases.

1. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

This is a hormone that plays a role in the period before ovulation, called the follicular phase. Where the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release FSH. Then FSH will stimulate the ovaries to produce 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles.

Each follicle contains an immature egg. Only the healthiest eggs will eventually mature. It can be one egg or some women may have two mature eggs. Meanwhile, the remaining follicles will be re-absorbed into the body.

This phase is called the follicular phase, lasting about 16 days in the menstrual cycle. But it can last faster or longer, depending on each person’s menstrual cycle.

2. Hormon estrogen

Continuing the follicular phase, the mature egg cells will trigger a surge in the hormone estrogen. The surge in the hormone estrogen then causes the uterus to thicken. The thickening of the uterus is prepared to create a nutrient-rich environment for embryo growth.

3. Luteinizing hormone or luteinizing hormone (LH)

The surge in estrogen levels mentioned above will trigger the pituitary gland to release LH. Here the ovulation phase begins. Ovulation is when the ovaries release a mature egg, then the egg moves to the fallopian tube to be fertilized by sperm.

If the egg is not fertilized it will die or dissolve. And ovulation only lasts about 24 hours. Ovulation occurs around day 14 if you have a 28 day menstrual cycle. Or right in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

4. Progesterone hormone

We mentioned earlier that mature egg cells will be released from the follicles into the fallopian tubes. So the follicle will then become the corpus luteum, a structure that will secrete the hormone progesterone and other hormones. This phase is called the luteal phase.

The hormone progesterone is needed for a pregnancy to be viable and able to continue. Progesterone also helps thicken the uterine lining to allow implantation of a fertilized egg.

5. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone

If pregnancy occurs, the body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that will be detected by a pregnancy test kit. This hormone also helps maintain the corpus luteum and keeps the uterine lining thick.

However, if fertilization does not occur, pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum will shrink, as will the hormone progesterone which decreases. The uterine lining is then shed for menstruation.

These are the types of hormones and their functions in the female reproductive system. Have further questions?

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