Female Sex Hormones

By the end of the lesson you should be able to:

1. Say 2 effects of female sex hormones, and say where the hormones are made.

2. Describe and explain the roles of Oestrogen, FSH and LH

Can you remember the parts of the female reproductive system?

The Menstrual Cycle

What happens during the cycle?

Menstruation Ovulation Lining of the

Uterus Fertilisation?

Hormones

The monthly release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries and the changes in the thickness of the lining of her womb are controlled by hormones

The hormones are secreted (released) by the pituitary gland and by the ovaries.

Which hormones are involved?

Oestrogen made in the ovaries

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) made in the pituitary gland

Leutinising hormone (LH) made in the pituitary gland

Hormones

Gland Effects

Oestrogen Ovaries Inhibits FSH and stimulates LH in the pituitary.Causes the lining of the womb to thicken

FSH Pituitary Causes eggs to mature in the ovaries.Stimulates the ovaries to make oestrogen

LH Pituitary Causes ovulation

Controlling fertility?

Some women are infertile

Some women do not want to be fertile

Increasing Fertility

Women can be given hormones to stimulate the release of eggs from the ovaries (fertility drugs)

This fertility drug is FSH which stimulates eggs to mature

Reducing Fertility

Oral contraceptive pills contain hormones that prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries.

The Pill contains oestrogen which inhibits FSH production, so no eggs mature.

The male pill?

How would it work? How would you test it? What economic

implications would you have to think about?

How would you know its effects?

How would you come up with a % effectiveness?