Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Asian Patients Have Lower Rates Of Pregnancy And Live Birth Than Caucasian Patients
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle refers to the culminating steps leading to pregnancy in humans. It begins with the development of the egg in the ovary. This development is controlled by signals produced in the brain. There are two important signals from the brain that manipulate the ovary. The first is FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone. FSH stimulates the eggs to develop into fluid filled sacs or cysts, known as follicles. It takes approximately two weeks for an egg to mature in the ovary. During this time, the female hormone “estrogen” is produced by the developing follicles. Estrogen causes the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, to grow so as to become receptive to the developing embryo. The second signal from the brain is LH or Lutenizing Hormone, which signals ovulation. Ovulation is the release of the mature egg, and usually occurs around day 14 of the cycle. The released egg makes its way into the uterus through the fallopian tube. When sperm are introduced into the vagina during intercourse, they make their way into the uterus through the cervix and into the tubes where they join with, or fertilize, the egg to form the embryo. Several days after ovulation and if fertilization occurs, the embryo then implants into the endometrial lining where it develops into the fetus. A number of problems can occur in this process, causing infertility for the couple.