We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,730
Share

Gonadotropin-releasing hormones are reproductive hormones that are produced in the hypothalamus of the brain. These hormones signal the pituitary gland to produce certain hormones involved in reproduction in both men and women. Reproductive hormone levels vary throughout life, remaining low in childhood, peaking when people are at reproductive age, and decreasing again as people grow older. In women, levels of reproductive hormones in the body vary in a cycle as women ovulate and menstruate.

This hormone is known as a neurohormone because it is synthesized in the neurons. The gonadotropin-releasing hormones are secreted by the same neurons that produce them in response to varying hormone levels that occur as part of a feedback cycle within the endocrine system. When gonadotropin-releasing hormones enter the pituitary gland, they signal the gland to start making follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and to release these hormones. The gonadotropins, as these hormones are known, travel to the testes and ovaries and play a role in reproduction.

In men, levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormones tend to remain fairly consistent. This is because men's reproductive systems do not follow a cycle like those of women. Levels of reproductive hormones gradually rise in puberty and stay consistent until men start to age. In women, the hormone levels fluctuate throughout the month. If the endocrine cycle that regulates the reproductive system becomes dysregulated, women may have difficulty becoming pregnant and they can also experience amenorrhea and other symptoms.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormones can also be introduced to the body in the form of synthetic hormones that are injected. They are sometimes used in women to treat conditions like endometriosis and thyroids, and as part of infertility treatment for women preparing for in vitro fertilization. Because hormone levels varies cyclically in women, the hormone injections must be timed to coincide with the existing hormone cycle. Before hormones are injected, blood testing is used to check hormone levels and confirm that the patient is a good candidate for hormone therapy.

When a patient presents to a doctor with infertility, hormone levels are one possible concern. Bloodwork can be used to evaluate a patient's hormone production and to look for obvious signs that the endocrine system is not operating normally. Other causes for infertility can also be explored, such as testing the sperm in men. Treatment for infertility can take time as doctors explore possible causes and present patients with treatment options.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-gonadotropin-releasing-hormones.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.