Review Question - QID 213233

An 18-year-old woman presents to the clinic complaining of acute abdominal pain for the past several hours. The pain is concentrated at the right lower quadrant (RLQ) with no clear precipitating factor and is worse with movement. Acetaminophen seems to help a little. but she is concerned as the pain has occurred monthly for the past 3 months. She denies any headache, chest pain, weight changes, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, fever, or sexual activity. The patient reports a regular menstruation cycle with her last period being 2 weeks ago. A physical examination demonstrates a RLQ that is tender to palpation with a negative psoas sign. A urine beta-hCG test is negative. An ultrasound of the abdomen is unremarkable. What is the main function of the hormone that is primarily responsible for this patient’s symptoms?