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admin2024-05-27 23:06:592024-05-27 23:30:55Can I Get Pregnant if I Have PCOS?The Role of Hormones in Fertility Treatment
Sex hormones – both male and female – play a major role in fertility and the function of a woman’s reproductive systems. Hormones can affect everything from whether an egg develops in the ovary and is released, to the chances of conception and implantation, as well as the survival of the pregnancy and the ability to breastfeed.
When a couple is having fertility issues, Dr. Ruthie Harper will typically test for hormone imbalances as one of the first steps. Fortunately, with thorough diagnostic blood testing and custom formulated hormone replacement therapy, it is usually possible to restore proper hormone balances.
And once hormone balance is restored to optimal levels, in many cases, fertility issues disappear and a successful pregnancy naturally occurs. Obviously, hormone therapy is much less expensive and invasive than more extreme fertility options such as IVF, FET, IUI, etc. So it is always wise to start any fertility journey by identifying and treating any hormone imbalances.
In this article, Austin fertility expert Dr. Ruthie Harper discusses the most important female hormones for fertility, and the effects they have on the body’s reproductive functions.
Fertility & Egg Follicles
Before we discuss the role of hormones in fertility it is important to understand egg follicles. When most people hear the world follicle, they think of hair! But in reproduction, a follicle is a small sac of fluid in the ovaries that contains a single developing egg.
During puberty women start with about 300,000 to 400,000 eggs. Every monthly menstrual cycle multiple follicles, each containing an egg, are chosen by the body to grow and mature. However, only one follicle eventually goes on to maturity. When this follicle matures and develops to the right size, the follicle ruptures and the egg is released.
As soon as a mature egg pops out of the follicle, the empty follicle forms a “corpus luteum” which pulses out hormones that are essential for conception to occur and for pregnancy to last to term.
Fertility & Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) affects fertility in both men and women. In men FSH controls sperm production. And in women FSH controls egg development by stimulating the growth of follicles in the ovary in the first half of the cycle.
What to look for: Follicle Stimulating Hormone levels should be highest right before a woman ovulates (usually week two of her cycle). Low levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone can result in irregular ovulation or a complete failure to ovulate. Conversely, too much FSH can indicate that the ovaries are of poor quality.
Fertility & Estrogen Levels
The follicles release estrogen as they grow in the ovaries, which causes the womb lining to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. Once a single follicle grows bigger than the rest in preparation for release, it causes a surge in estrogen. This then stimulates the pituitary gland to produce Luteinizing Hormone (below). This then in turn causes a sudden growth spurt in the biggest follicle, enabling it to successfully release for potential fertilization.
Estrogen also activates the secretion of a mucus inside the uterus, providing the optimal environment for sperm survival during fertilization of the egg.
What to look for: Too little estrogen can cause the endometrium (uterus lining) to not be thick enough for egg implantation in the uterus. However, too much estrogen can shorten the window of time for implantation.
Fertility & Progesterone Levels
Once the mature follicle has released the egg and has formed into a corpus luteum, it secretes progesterone into the woman’s bloodstream. Sufficient progesterone is necessary for egg implantation in the uterus.
Progesterone also signals the body that the fertilized ovary should continue to produce progesterone on its own, which is essential for the pregnancy to survive to term. But if no egg has been fertilized during a cycle, then the progesterone levels will drop, and menstruation will start.
What to look for: Low levels of progesterone can lead to problems with the egg implanting and can also result in miscarriage. Low progesterone can also interfere with the ability to breastfeed after childbirth.
Fertility & Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Luteinizing Hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for both male and female fertility. In men, Luteinizing Hormone stimulates the production of testosterone, which is necessary both for sex drive and for sufficient sperm count.
In women, sufficient levels of Luteinizing Hormone cause the egg to be released from the ovary – typically around the second week of a woman’s cycle. If fertilization of the egg then occurs, the Luteinizing Hormone also stimulates the corpus luteum to produce enough progesterone to sustain the pregnancy to term.
What to look for: Women with too much Luteinizing Hormone are often found to have polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a cluster of symptoms that can prevent conception. However, women with too little Luteinizing Hormone will likely fail to ovulate at all.
Fertility Hormone Testing & Treatment | Austin
Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX is a skilled, compassionate and experienced endocrine expert, who understands the intricacies of hormones and their effects on fertility.
If you have had trouble becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term, schedule an appointment with Dr. Harper for thorough and advanced hormone blood testing. She can diagnose and treat hormone imbalance to help you take the first step toward improving your chances of getting pregnant without expensive or artificial intervention treatments.
Fertility Hormone Consultation | Austin: 512.343.9355
FERTILITY BLOG
Thank you for visiting our Blog, where Dr. Harper keeps you updated on the latest treatments, technologies and information in the field of natural fertility medicine.
Dr. Ruthie Harper opened her internationally recognized medical practice in Austin, Texas, in 1999. Since that time, she has consulted with more than 10,000 patients, offering the most advanced techniques in natural, holistic and integrative health and wellness.
Check back often for new and informative articles, as well as special offers and exciting events. Or call us today to schedule your fertility consultation … and take the first step toward having the family of your dreams!
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