What type of feedback do estrogen and progesterone have on FSH and LH?

Estrogen and progesterone primarily exert a negative feedback influence on the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland. This feedback mechanism is crucial for regulating the hormonal cycle in females.

In the menstrual cycle, estrogen is initially produced by the developing follicles. As estrogen levels rise, they promote the development of the follicles but also lead to a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, inhibiting the release of FSH and LH. This helps prevent the overstimulation of the ovaries and ensures that typically only one follicle fully matures during each cycle. After ovulation, progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum and further reinforces this negative feedback mechanism, maintaining low levels of FSH and LH to prevent the maturation of additional follicles while preparing the endometrium for potential implantation of an embryo.

This intricate feedback regulation ensures the proper timing and coordination of the female reproductive cycle, highlighting the role of estrogen and progesterone in maintaining homeostasis within the reproductive system.