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  Menstrual cycle and menopause. Part 3.   When one (or two) of the follicles are mature, estrogen levels peak, signaling the pituitary to preferentially release LH. Therefore, the greatest importance for ovulation is the sudden increase in LH concentration, which is the result of a change in the nature of estrogen's action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis before ovulation - estrogens begin to act on the principle of positive feedback. This increases LH concentration 6-10 times and FSH approximately 2 times. The LH hormone triggers ovulation and the release of a mature egg, and also triggers the production of progesterone in the follicles (specifically by the corpus luteum). Progesterone concentration reaches its peak in the middle of the luteal phase. It should also be remembered that small amounts of progesterone are produced by the ovarian follicles and adrenal glands in the follicular phase, which ensures its presence in low concentrations in this first pha...

Menstrual cycle and menopause. Part 2. What happens every month with regular bleeding? Every month, at the beginning of bleeding, the hypothalamus (cells in a certain area of ​​the brain) detects a reduced level of estrogen hormones (the lowest concentration occurs just before and during menstruation). Using the gonadoliberin GnRH (i.e. gonadotropin-releasing hormone; another name luliberin; it is a decapeptide) it sends information to the anterior pituitary gland - also an area in the brain. This anterior pituitary gland releases the follicle-stimulating hormone FSH and the luteinizing hormone LH. If GnRH is secreted at a rate of 1 pulse per hour, LH secretion increases, if the rate is 1 pulse per 3 hours, non-FSH secretion increases preferentially. Continuous secretion of GnRH leads to a decrease in the sensitivity of receptors to the action of this hormone (down-regulation), which causes a decrease in the secretion of FSH and LH (these hormones are glycoproteins). In women, sm...

  Menstrual cycle and menopause. Part 1. What is considered an abnormal menstrual cycle? In such a menstrual cycle, the following can be distinguished: menstrual bleeding occurring regularly, the follicular phase lasting on average 14-17 days, ovulation and the luteal phase lasting about 14 days, and the cycle length ranging from 21-36 days. Menstrual bleeding lasts approximately 2-8 days. In the case of a 28-day cycle, ovulation will occur on day 14, the follicular phase lasts on day 14 and the luteal phase also lasts 14 days. In a 36-day cycle, ovulation will occur on day 22, i.e. the follicular phase will last 22 days, and the following luteal phase will not change and remains 14 days long. In each cycle, under the influence of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, periodic changes occur in the ovaries and in the entire reproductive system. (Hormones produced by the adrenal glands also play a role.) External factors that may cause a change: disease, co...

  Menopause, part 12 Additionally, I describe a plant whose patented LIBIFEN™ extract is currently found in one of the newest preparations used. Clinical studies have confirmed the positive effect of LIBIFEN™ on sexual activity and women's health. This plant is common fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L .). The herbal raw material is fenugreek seeds. They are a rich source of biologically active substances, including mucous compounds, steroid saponins, flavonoids, sterols, alkaloids and vitamins. Fenugreek has primarily hypolipemic, antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic, neurological, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Steroid saponins and isoflavones, i.e. phytoestrogen compounds present in fenugreek, influence the hormonal balance. Seed extract ingredients bind to the estrogen receptor - estrogenic effect. Diosgenin reverses osteoporosis as well as the atrophy of reproductive tissues that develop as a result of the lack of endogenous estrogens. The...