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Re: progesterone and testosterone
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 20 Apr 2002 01:11:43 -0500 (CDT)
Belle,
Thank you so much for that great post! You should teach professionally!
I've never understood how our system works, so thank you for helping :).
At Fri, 19 Apr 2002, Belle wrote:
>
>Let's start with "normal" cycles:
>
>Woman I has her period. At this point her estrogen is at the lowest
>level. LH and FSH (from the pituitary) begin to rise and causes the
>ovary to prepare an follicle. The follicle is the group of cells that
>hold the egg. When it is mature, androgens (like testosterone) are
>released from the ovaries. Some of these androgens are converted to
>estrogen. When the estrogen (that is converted from the androgens) and
>the estrogen from the ovaries get to a level that is high enough, it
>tells the LH to surge, causing the the egg to be released from the
>ovary, the follicle produces progesterone to tell the uterus to be ready
>for a baby. If the egg does not become fertilized, the progesterone
>decreases, telling the uterus to shed its lining, Woman I has her
>period.
>
>Woman P has PCOS (and probably not had a period), insulin increased the
>amount of LH in the system. This stimulates a follicle to mature and
>androgens begin to rise. The androgens cause the egg to not develop
>properly. Since the LH is already high, there is no surge. The high
>androgens in combination with the lack of an LH surge prevents
>ovulation. This is now a small cyst on her ovary. Since the egg is not
>released, the follicle does not produce progesterone. Since there is no
>decrease in the progesterone level, the uterus does not receive the
>signal to shed its lining. Woman P does not have a period. The high
>levels of LH continues to stimulate the androgen production from the
>ovaries. This becomes a vicious cycle.
>
>As your testosterone goes up, your progesterone goes down.
>
>(If I haven't confused you enough by now, let me add, the excess
>testosterone can be converted to estrogen. This is why we have high
>estrogen levels.)
>
>At Fri, 19 Apr 2002, Lisa wrote:
>>
>>Does anyone know what is the connection or the difference between these
>>two hormones? If your progesterone levels go up, do your testosterone
>>levels also go up? I am a little confused.
>
>--
>Hope this helps,
>
>Belle
>
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