Female Reproductive System: Hormones, Health and What Can Be Done (Part 1)

#Tejasvani Knowledge Desk

It was meant to be a single article — but given the depth of this topic, it’s being brought to you in three detailed parts.

• Part 1 introduces the full life cycle — from puberty to menopause — when the reproductive organs become active and may develop bottlenecks.

• Part 2 will discuss the dysfunctions often referred to as “hormonal changes” (essentially, how the body responds to lifestyle, environment, and stress).

• Part 3 will focus on what can be done naturally to maintain hormonal balance and minimize disruptions.

Changes are natural — it’s only abnormalities that need attention. Understanding your system is the first step toward protecting it.

The Beginning — A Girl Child in the Womb

A baby girl is born with all the egg cells (oocytes) she will ever have.By the fifth month of pregnancy, a female fetus already has around 7 million oocytes. By birth, only 1–2 million remain — and none are produced after birth.

At puberty, about 300,000 oocytes remain, and during a woman’s lifetime, around 400 eggs are actually released — one per menstrual cycle.

Because these eggs remain dormant for years, the chances of chromosomal abnormalities increase with age, explaining why pregnancies later in life carry slightly higher genetic risks.

The Hormonal Network Behind Reproductive Health

The female reproductive system depends on a delicate hormonal symphony involving:

• Hypothalamus (in the brain)

• Pituitary gland (just below the brain)

• Adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys)

• Ovaries (in the pelvic region)

The hypothalamus acts as the conductor, producing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which signals the pituitary to release two key hormones:

• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

These, in turn, prompt the ovaries to produce estrogen, progesterone, and small amounts of androgens (male hormones).

Each hormone has a distinct purpose — regulating ovulation, the menstrual cycle, and reproductive readiness.

The pituitary also produces prolactin, which supports milk production after childbirth.Meanwhile, the adrenal glands add small amounts of both male and female sex hormones, influencing hair growth and muscle tone.

Fig.1The major glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the islet cells of the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the testes in men, and the ovaries in women.

Anatomy in Brief

• External Organs: mons pubis, labia majora/minora, and clitoris — primarily protective and sensory.

• Internal Organs: vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries — forming the reproductive tract through which eggs and sperm travel.

The vagina acts as both entry (for sperm) and exit (for menstrual blood or childbirth), while the uterus is the nurturing space for embryo growth.The fallopian tubes are where fertilization usually occurs.

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a rhythmic, hormone-driven process that prepares the body for pregnancy each month. It typically lasts 24–38 days, divided into three main phases:

1. Follicular Phase: The uterus sheds its old lining, and new follicles (each containing an egg) begin to grow under the influence of FSH.

2. Ovulatory Phase: Triggered by a surge in LH, the mature egg is released. This is the fertile window, lasting roughly 6 days.

3. Luteal Phase: The ruptured follicle forms a corpus luteum that produces progesterone to prepare the uterus for possible pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t occur, hormone levels fall and menstruation begins again.

Puberty and Menopause — The Two Milestones

Puberty marks the activation of the reproductive system. It begins earlier in girls today than in past generations, often influenced by nutrition, body weight, and genetics.

• Starts with breast budding (around age 13 on average)

• Followed by pubic and underarm hair growth

• Menarche (first period) occurs 2–3 years later

• Menstrual cycles take up to 5 years to regularize

Menopause, on the other hand, marks the end of this reproductive cycle — defined as one year after the last menstrual period.Estrogen production drops, leading to:

• Thinning of vaginal and urinary tissues

• Reduced elasticity

• Increased risk of infections

• Pelvic pressure or prolapse due to weakened support tissues

• Changes in breast size and firmness

• Possible discomfort or reduced sexual desire due to vaginal dryness

These are natural transitions — not illnesses — though they can be managed better with awareness and natural care.

Internal Female Reproductive system

Closing Note

Part 1 helps set the foundation by understanding how the female reproductive system functions — from the first egg cell in the womb to the last cycle at menopause.

In Part 2, we’ll explore the common dysfunctions and hormonal imbalances — what’s often referred to as “hormonal changes” — and how modern lifestyles influence them.

Stay tuned for the next chapter from #Tejasvani Knowledge Desk.