About Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and Progesterone are female sex hormones. They are produced in the ovaries by developing follicles, the corpus luteum and the placenta.
Both of them are vital for the general health of the female and the fetus after fertilization. They are also important in the menstrual cycle of females. They even have medical uses. There is a lot of health information in the World-Wide Web which describes these two sex hormones, but this is a short and detailed article of their main roles and uses.

Their Role in the Menstrual Cycle

There two other sex hormones (FSH and LH) affect the development of the follicles in the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone are then produced in the follicles. Once estrogen is produced and secreted by the follicles (approximately day 5 or 6 of the cycle), it stimulates the production of more FSH receptors on the follicle, thereby increasing the amount of estrogen secreted. With the help of positive feedback, the estrogen levels rise dramatically (day 8-12). This stimulates the repair of the uterus lining (endometrium). On day 12, the estrogen levels peak and then decline, leading to ovulation due to sharp incline of LH. The follicle which released the egg cell is then converted into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which repairs the endometrium further. Estrogen is also secreted by the corpus luteum, however in a much smaller amount that progesterone. Both estrogen and progesterone levels peak and then decline if no fertilization occurs (day 22-24). This results in menstruation.

Other Roles and Uses

Progesterone and estrogen are needed throughout pregnancy. They develop the endometrium throughout the entire pregnancy. At first, they are secreted by the corpus luteum. By the middle of pregnancy, the corpus luteum degenerates but estrogen and progesterone are still secreted by cells in the placenta. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increase constantly throughout pregnancy until childbirth occurs. The two sex hormones also develop female sexual characteristics. It is also known that estrogen affects the growth and development of the brain, breasts, bones, liver and heart. It even regulates our metabolism. Progesterone is known to encourage the production of milk in the breasts during pregnancy. Both of them are present in some forms of contraceptive pills, better known as the pill. This has some effects on health and the menstrual cycle. The main effect of the pill is to prevent ovulation from happening and thereby preventing pregnancy. The pill ensures that females have high levels of both of these sex hormones in their bodies. This inhibits the secretion of FSH and thereby the development of the follicle in order to release its egg cell.

Summary

Estrogen and Progesterone are sex hormones responsible for the repair and development of the endometrium. They have vital roles in pregnancy, where they develop the endometrium even more. Estrogen and Progesterone have other roles and uses such as; developing organs, producing milk during pregnancy and their use in the contraceptive pill.

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Posted in: Esterogen,Hormones,Progresterone