Human fertility is controlled by hormones. This means that knowledge of hormones can be used to decide to increase, or reduce, the chances of fertilisation and pregnancy.
Oral contraceptives
The oral contraceptive, “the pill”,
greatly reduces the chances of mature eggs being produced. The pill
contains oestrogen, or oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones
inhibit the production of FSH, which in turn stops eggs maturing
in the ovaries. |
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Fertility treatment
Some women have difficulty becoming pregnant because they don't produce enough FSH to allow their eggs to mature. “Fertility drugs” contain FSH, which stimulates eggs to mature in the ovary.
[ This page has been adapted from www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science ]