Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy - Introduction

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Reproductive Hormones. The hypothalamus (an area in the brain) and the pituitary gland regulate the reproductive hormones. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the master gland because of its important role in many vital functions, many of which require hormones.

In women, six key hormones serve as chemical messengers that regulate the reproductive system:

• The hypothalamus first releases the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
• This chemical, in turn, stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
• Estrogen, progesterone, and the male hormone testosterone are secreted by the ovaries at the command of FSH and LH and complete the hormonal group necessary for reproductive health.

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It is not clear what causes fibroids, but estrogen and progesterone appear to play a role in their growth. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause, when estrogen levels decline.

Click the icon to see an image of the uterus.

Click the icon to see an image of the pituitary gland.

Click the icon to see an image of the hypothalamus.

Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).