What are Hormones?
While hormones are essential for reproduction, they are also crucial for the other systems of the human body. Hormones are molecules that are produced by the endocrine system that send messages to various parts of the body. They help to regulate multiple processes of the body like blood pressure, hunger, and sexual drive. Hormones are released from endocrine glands. They instruct the body on how to breathe and how to use energy. Here, we will talk about hormones that are present in females as well as males. This section will tell us what estrogen and progesterone are and what causes high estrogen levels.
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Hormones are chemical secretions. Hormones flow through the whole body but target specific cells designed to receive their message. Hormones and hormone receptors sites work in combination, like lock and key. Hormones are made from proteins or steroids, which function as messengers of the body and maintain an internal balance. In simple words, hormones keep the body in a state of equilibrium or homeostasis. These secreted hormones or chemicals flow throughout the body, along with the bloodstream. Fig.1
Types of Female Hormones
The two primary female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone is a male hormone; however, females also produce it and need a small amount of this hormone.
Estrogen: The primary female hormone is estrogen. A significant share of hormone estrogen comes from the ovaries, however small amounts of estrogen are also produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells. The placenta also makes estrogen during pregnancy.
Progesterone: Ovaries produce the female sex hormone progesterone after ovulation. The placenta also produces some progesterone during pregnancy. Similar to estrogen, progesterone is also produced in the adrenal tissue and ovaries.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): HCG is yet another hormone that is produced naturally in women. It is made in the cells that make up the placenta at the time of pregnancy. This hormone is found in urine and blood tests that are done for pregnancy.
Testosterone: Predominantly a male hormone, testosterone is produced in small amounts in women as well. Similarly, a small amount of estrogen is also produced in men. Testosterone hormone is developed by other hormones such as DHEA and DHEA-S.
DHEA: Dehydroepiandrosterone is a kind of steroidal hormone that is produced in the adrenal gland.
Functions of Female Hormones
Numerous hormones synthesised by several glands perform an immense number of functions that serve different purposes. Each of the major hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone perform several functions, such as
Estrogen plays a vital role in reproductive and sexual development. The part also extends to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Estrogen also affects the working of the brain, cardiovascular system, hair, musculoskeletal system, skin, and urinary tract.
The role of the other primary hormone, progesterone, is to prepare the lining of the uterus for a fertilised egg, support pregnancy, and suppress estrogen production after ovulation.
Small amounts of male hormone testosterone come from the adrenal gland and ovaries. This hormone plays a crucial role in several body functions such as sexual desire, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and bone and muscle strength.
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is produced by the developing placenta, stimulates the ovaries to produce higher levels of estrogen and progesterone that are needed to sustain a pregnancy.
Note: Hypothalamus, a part of the brain, starts to release large pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormones GnRH- It stimulates the pituitary gland ( in the brain) to produce luteinising hormone- LH and follicle-stimulating hormone- FSH, which in turn cause a girls’ ovaries to start producing other hormones.
Female Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance happens when there is over or underproduction of a hormone in the bloodstream. Hormones play essential roles in the body; minor irregularities can cause side effects throughout the body.
Hormonal imbalances are more prevalent during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. Several hormonal imbalances are due to external factors such as stress or hormone medications. However, hormonal imbalances can also be due to any medical condition that impact or involve the endocrine system or endocrine glands.
Hormone Test and Normal Levels
Blood tests determine Estrogen levels. The normal levels are 15- 350 pg/ml for premenopausal adult female and ˂10 pg/ml for a postmenopausal adult female.
Blood tests determine Progesterone levels. 0.1 to 0.3 ng/ml at puberty to 290 ng/ml in the third trimester is normal.
Blood tests determine testosterone levels. The normal level is 15 to 70 ng/dl.
FAQs on Female Hormones
1. What are the primary female hormones and where are they produced in the body?
The two primary female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone. While they are mainly produced in the ovaries, smaller amounts are also synthesised by the adrenal glands and fat cells. During pregnancy, the placenta becomes a major source of both these hormones.
2. What is the overall importance of estrogen in the female body?
Estrogen is crucial for female reproductive and sexual development. Its main functions include:
- Regulating the menstrual cycle.
- Triggering the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.
- Supporting the body during pregnancy and preparing for menopause.
Beyond reproduction, estrogen also impacts the brain, cardiovascular system, bone density, skin, and urinary tract.
3. What is the specific function of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy?
Progesterone's primary role is to prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy after ovulation. It causes the uterine lining, or endometrium, to thicken to receive a fertilised egg. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels remain high to support the growing fetus and suppress further ovulation. It also works to balance the effects of estrogen.
4. What are some common signs that might indicate a female hormonal imbalance?
A hormonal imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone. Common signs in women can include:
- Irregular or missed menstrual periods.
- Acne on the face, chest, or upper back.
- Abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) on the face or body.
- Hair loss or thinning on the scalp.
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving.
5. How do the hormones FSH and LH from the brain control the function of female hormones?
The brain plays a master-regulatory role. The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which signals the pituitary gland to produce two key hormones: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, which in turn produce estrogen. A surge in LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the remaining follicle (corpus luteum) to produce progesterone. This interaction forms a critical feedback loop that governs the menstrual cycle.
6. Why is a small amount of testosterone considered important for female health?
Although testosterone is primarily a male hormone, it is also produced in small amounts by a female's ovaries and adrenal glands. This hormone is essential for several functions, including maintaining bone and muscle strength, regulating the menstrual cycle, and contributing to a healthy sexual drive (libido). It is a vital component of the overall hormonal balance in women.
7. Besides reproduction, what are other significant body systems affected by estrogen?
Estrogen has widespread effects beyond the reproductive system. It plays a protective role in maintaining bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis. It also has positive effects on the cardiovascular system by helping to control cholesterol levels. Furthermore, estrogen influences brain function, skin elasticity, and the health of the urinary tract.
8. What is HCG, and why is it a reliable indicator for pregnancy tests?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the cells that form the placenta shortly after a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine wall. Its levels rise rapidly in the early days of pregnancy. Since HCG is unique to pregnancy and is excreted in urine, its detection in a home pregnancy test is a highly reliable confirmation that implantation has successfully occurred.
