The menstrual cycle is a remarkable and intricate biological process, driven by the delicate interplay of three key hormones. This hormones play a massive role in our menstrual cycle: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. They are pivotal in the various stages of the cycle, orchestrating a symphony of physical, emotional, and reproductive changes within the female body. Understanding the unique functions of each of these hormones is crucial for cultivating a deeper appreciation of the extraordinary capabilities of the female form.
ESTROGEN: it’s produced by the ovaries, and it increases when the follicles in your ovaries begin to mature. It peaks just before your ovulation. Simply said, its main role is to help your body for the ovulation, fertilisation of the egg and a possible pregnancy. It thickens the endometrium (uterine lining), triggers ovulation through the release of the luteinising hormone (LH), helps develop and mature the egg, and facilitates sperm movement by making the cervical mucus more stretchy and thinner.
PROGESTERONE: it works as a regulating hormone. After the egg is released from its follicle in the ovaries, corpus luteum is generated from the empty follicle and it produces large amounts of progesterone. This rise in progesterone helps stabilise the endometrium thickness for the implantation of a fertilised egg, it inhibits the LH in order to prevent more follicles from maturing and the ovulation as a consequence. What happens after this process depends if the implantation of the egg occurs or not. If it doesn’t, progesterone will decrease triggering the shedding of the endometrium also known as menstruation.
TESTOSTERONE: this hormone is, I would say, the least important during the cycle, when compared to estrogen and progesterone. It is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women, and increase gradually as the follicles mature. It peaks just before ovulation, and decrease right after. Its role is basically to maintain muscle mass and bone density, contribute to develop and mature the ovarian follicle, but most importantly enhance the libido and sexual function.
As we navigate the ebbs and flows of our monthly cycles, embracing the wisdom of our hormones can empower us to manage symptoms, foster a positive relationship with our femininity, and celebrate the wonders of the female experience.