Let’s dig into what’s going on with our hormones during our cycle. This will help you understand what hormones are responsible for ovulation and then what happens afterwards?
The big 4 hormones: FSH, Estrogen, LH, Progesterone. The basics. I’m not going to go into every little detail, this is just the broad view.
Are you wanting to get pregnant? Let’s get to know your 4 main reproductive hormones. Having a good hormone balance is essential for pregnancy and health.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) are both produced in your pituitary gland.
Estrogen and Progesterone are both produced in your ovary.
At the beginning of your cycle, FSH will be released. It stimulates your follicles to grow, one follicle becomes dominant during your cycle(with the exception of twins). The dominant follicle contains an egg which produces Estrogen. Estrogen will have a swift, steady rise which stimulates LH to be released from the pituitary gland. LH triggers ovulation to occur within 12-24 hours. That’s why those LH test strips are so handy, they pick up the LH surge. After your LH surge, ovulation should occur (not in all cases, however, if levels are not high enough to trigger ovulation) and then the follicle that contained the egg will turn into the corpus luteum that is responsible for producing Progesterone. Progesterone levels rise and remain high until the end of your cycle. The levels will fall toward the end of your cycle as menstruation begins, unless you are pregnant, then they will remain high.
If fertilization does occur, your corpus luteum is responsible for Progesterone production until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy when your placenta takes over.
If any of your hormones are out of alignment, ovulation may not occur, or you may see signs of hormone insufficiences, such as intense PMS symptoms or spotting during your cycle.
Did you know that intense pain during your period is NOT normal. Though it has been made to seem like it is in every period product commercial ever. IT IS NOT.
If you have pain, it’s time to take a look at your cycle, your lifestyle and your diet.
Your body is smart, it’s telling you something is off. Stress has a huge impact on our bodies. It’s hard to get away from it, but if it’s showing up and affecting your cycle and you are in a season of trying to conceive, it may be time to take a closer look at making some life adjustments.
