In women, the ovaries produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which play a key role in the menstrual cycle and female reproductive system. These hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, such as the growth of breasts and the widening of the hips, and they also help regulate the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy. The pituitary gland, located in the brain, also produces hormones that regulate the function of the ovaries, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).