| At the base of the brain
is the hypothamalmus and
pituitary glands. They have
their own way of talking to
each other, so for the
purpose of discussion, lets
simply refer to them
collectively as "the brain".
As usual, the brain is the
diagnostic center of the
body. It monitors what is
"normal" and what is not.
The brain keeps an eye on
estrogen levels. If they
are low, it will find a way
to make more. If estrogen
levels are high, it will
find a way to make less.
This monitoring is what
triggers ovulation.
The ovary has developing
follicles (with eggs) that
produce estrogen. When
estrogen levels are low the
brain assumes the follicles
need some help to produce
more estrogen. The brain
sends a hormone to the
ovaries called FSH (follicle
stimulating hormone). This
helps the eggs get bigger
and make more estrogen.
When the brain is satisfied
with the estrogen
production, it sends another
hormone called LH (luteinizing
hormone) to help the
follicles rupture their egg
that leaves the ovary, which
is ovulation.
Ovulation
for Pregnancy
From this simplified
discussion of ovulation, one
can see where the pregnancy
breakdowns are possible.
Perhaps the brain doesn't
monitor estrogen levels
precisely and the follicles
are "under developed" or
"too mature". This could
create abnormal cycles.
Perhaps the FSH isn't
sufficient to raise estrogen
levels and there is nothing
to ovulate. Perhaps the LH
isn't sufficient enough to
bring about ovulation.
Perhaps the egg never leaves
the ovary. Perhaps,
perhaps, perhaps.
Two common methods of
treatment include Clomid and
injectable fertility drugs.
Both try to help this system
that I described. Clomid is
an "anti-estrogen". It
fools the brain into
thinking that estrogen
levels are low, so that it
sends more FSH. The
injectable fertility drugs
are actually FSH or FSH-like
compounds. Via injection,
the monitoring by the brain
is bypassed, as FSH is
simply injected into the
body.
hCG is given as an
ovulation trigger. hCG and
LH are chemically very
similar. hCG is given to
mimmick the role of LH,
since our market is absent a
true LH product. |
