Hormones and Infertility

The human body utilizes numerous chemicals, called hormones, to regulate body functions ranging from growth to conception. The primary hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle and fertility include:



1) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone - this governs the amount of estrogen in the body, and stimulates the release of the next two hormones

2) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)- stimulates the ovary to produce eggs

3) Luteinizing hormone - promotes thickening of the uterus lining in preparation for receiving a fertilized egg

4) Progesterone - controls FSH levels, to stop ripening unnecessary eggs, once one is ready to be released by the ovary

5) estrogen - governs thickness and consistency of the mucus that sperm travel in, to reach the egg, as well as helps in thickening the uterine wall


These hormones peak and ebb to create the menstrual cycle and key in ovulation and conception.