Understand the function of the FSH and LH hormones in the reproductive system

The reproductive system consists of various organs, including hormones in the body. Two types of hormones that help the reproductive system, including the FSH hormone (follicle stimulating hormone) and the hormone LH (luteinizing hormone). These two hormones play an important role in the male and female reproductive systems. What are the functions of the FSH and LH hormones and the difference between them?

Where do the hormones FSH and LH come from?

All hormones produced in the body come from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a small part of the center of the brain that is directly connected to the pituitary gland.

In a sense, this is the "master gland" which controls many vital functions in the body.

The hypothalamus stimulates the endocrine glands to produce many hormones, one of themgonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

This GnRH hormone is the parent of most hormones in the body, especially male and female reproductive hormones.

During the productive period, GnRH will stimulate the pituitary gland to release the FSH hormone, which is the follicle stimulating hormone and the LH hormone, the luteinizing hormone.

Quoted from Medline Plus, basically, these two hormones have a task that is not much different.

In fact, these two hormones often work together to optimize the female and male reproductive systems.

Simply put, the function of FSH is to be responsible for regulating the production of eggs in women and sperm in men.

Meanwhile, the LH hormone works together with FSH to keep the menstrual cycle normal and maintain testicular function during reproduction.

The difference in the function of the FSH and LH hormones

So far, you might think that the hormones FSH and LH only play a role in helping the female reproductive system.

In fact, these two types of hormones are also beneficial for male reproduction. However, its function in women and men remains different.

The function of the FSH and LH hormones in women

The main function of the FSH and LH hormones in women is to ensure that the menstrual cycle runs smoothly every month.

These two hormones will stimulate the growth and maturity of the follicle, aka the egg.

Starting from the beginning of formation, ovulation or release of eggs from the ovaries, until the end of the menstrual period.

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the FSH hormone levels in the body will increase and the amount of the LH hormone decreases.

FSH is used to stimulate the follicles to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The egg cells will then be ripened to prepare themselves for the fertile period.

During the fertile period, the hormone estrogen will send a signal to the pituitary gland to stop producing FSH and start producing the hormone LH

If the FSH hormone stimulates the follicles to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, it is different from the LH hormone.

The benefit of the LH hormone is that it triggers ovulation, aka the release of eggs from the ovaries. The maximum increase in the LH hormone is what triggers ovulation.

The follicle of the egg that has been released will turn into the corpus luteum, aka empty follicle.

Furthermore, this corpus luteum will release the hormone progesterone to thicken the uterine wall tissue, in case pregnancy occurs.

The impact of FSH and LH hormone levels is too high in women

In order to continue to work according to function, the FSH and LH hormones must have the appropriate levels in your body.

The reason is, if both hormone levels are too high, it is feared that they will not work as they should.

There are several conditions that can cause levels of both hormones to be too high, such as:

Any genetic problems, such as Turner syndrome.
Exposure to radiation.
History of chemotherapy drug use.
Auto-immune disorders.
Uterine tumor.
Thyroid and adrenal gland disorders.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
The uterus is not functioning properly.

The impact of FSH and LH hormone levels is too low on women

Likewise, the levels of the hormones FSH and LH are too high, both of them do not work normally if the levels are too low in the body.

Especially in the female body, both hormones have an important role in reproduction.

Therefore, it does not rule out the possibility of infertility in women.

This can be caused by several conditions, for example the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain is not functioning properly.

In addition, body weight below normal also affects the lack of levels and function of the FSH and LH hormones in the body.

The function of the FSH and LH hormones in men

Meanwhile, the function of the hormones FSH and LH is different in the male body, although they are still related to the reproductive system.

In the male body, these two hormones will ensure that the process of forming healthy sperm cells (spermatogenesis) in men runs well.

The Sertoli cells in the testes require the FSH hormone to produce androgen-binding protein (ABP).

This protein is the initial key to stimulating healthy sperm formation in men.

After that, it is the turn of the pituitary gland to secrete the LH hormone. Well, this LH hormone stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.

As you may already know, testosterone is the male sex hormone that produces sperm.

When the testosterone produced is low, the quantity and quality of sperm will certainly decrease.

The fatal impact, men may experience erectile dysfunction because testosterone is far from enough.

The impact of FSH and LH hormone levels is too high in men

As it happens in women, the function of the FSH and LH hormones may not work properly if the levels are too high, including:

autoimmune disease.
exposed to radiation.
testicles that don't work properly.
damaged testicles from excessive alcohol use.
testicles damaged by medical treatments such as X-rays or chemotherapy.
Klinefelter syndrome, a body condition with an excess of the X chromosome that affects male growth.

The impact of FSH and LH hormone levels is too low in men

However, if you have low levels of FSH and LH hormones in your body, these two hormones cannot work properly.

One of the things that might happen if FSH and LH don't work properly is a decrease in testosterone levels.

A decrease in the level of testosterone in the body may cause the reproductive organs to not function properly.

There is a possibility, this is also related to male infertility, loss of sex drive, and often feeling tired.

Therefore, it is important to maintain adequate levels of both hormones in order to function optimally in the body.

Both men and women who are running a pregnancy program, it never hurts to undergo a fertility test first to find out what causes difficulty getting pregnant.