Learn about the main female hormones and their effects

Hormones are messengers produced by the endocrine glands that help transmit information between organs and cells, modulating bodily functions. This is what gynecologist Karina Tafner (CRM-SP 118066) tells us. To learn more about female hormones, read on!

3 main female hormones to know more

Sex hormones are the ones that play an essential role in
sexual development and reproduction. They are also important for many bodily functions and for our overall health. Below we list the main female sex hormones, check it out:

1. Estrogen hormone

Estrogen is the main female hormone! Karina points out that most of it is produced by the ovaries, but small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells, and during pregnancy, estrogen is produced by the placenta. It plays an important role in women’s health, being directly related to sexual and reproductive development.

2. Progesterone hormone

The ovaries, adrenal glands and placenta produce the hormone progesterone. Progesterone levels increase after ovulation and during pregnancy being the main one during this period. It’s easy to remember if you think of the word progesterone as “pro-pregnancy.”

During the menstrual cycle, progesterone is low until ovulation, and then levels rise. It changes the structure of the endometrium so that a fertilized egg can implant. The hormone also helps to develop breast tissue called mammary glands, which are essential for lactation. Having a low level of progesterone can lead to irregular periods and difficulty getting pregnant.

3. Testosterone hormone

Although testosterone is the main male sex hormone, it is also present, in smaller amounts, in women. It affects our fertility, sex drive, menstruation, muscle tissue, bone mass, mood and energy.

Women who have higher levels of androgens than normal may experience symptoms such as excessive hair growth, acne, irregular or absent periods, and infertility. So the development of more masculine features such as facial hair and a deeper voice, can indicate an excess of testosterone in the body, which can have several causes.

Sex hormones in both men and women are involved in puberty and sexual development, reproduction, sexual desire, regulate bone and muscle growth, inflammatory responses, among other functions. According to Karina, the main glands that produce them are the adrenals and gonads, which include the ovaries in women and the testes in men.

Hormones in women’s life stages

The presence and amounts of hormones vary at each stage of life and the menstrual cycle. To understand exactly how this dynamic works, follow what the gynecologist told us.

the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle occurs in three phases that coincide with hormonal changes:

1. Follicular Phase: The first day of a period marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. At this stage, estrogen and progesterone levels are very low and this can cause irritability and mood swings. The pituitary gland (pituitary) restarts the release of the hormones FSH and LH, which guide the ovaries to initiate follicle growth. Each follicle contains one egg. After a few days, a dominant follicle will emerge. The ovaries will absorb the remaining follicles. As the dominant follicle continues to grow, the egg contained within it will produce estrogen. This increase in estrogen stimulates the release of endorphins that increase energy levels and improve mood. Estrogen also enriches the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus, in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
2. Ovulatory Phase: During this phase, estrogen and LH levels in the body peak, causing an ovarian follicle to rupture and release its egg, which may or may not be fertilized. Karina says that an egg can survive for about 24 hours after it leaves the ovary.
3. Luteal Phase: The follicle, when it ruptures, releases progesterone, which prepares the uterine lining to receive the embryo. An unfertilized egg stops producing estrogen and progesterone and their levels drop. This marks the beginning of the premenstrual week, marking the end of the current menstrual cycle and the beginning of the next.

Hormones in pregnancy and postpartum

Pregnancy begins the moment a fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus. After implantation, the placenta begins to develop and produce various hormones. The HCG hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are needed to maintain a pregnancy. For this reason, most pregnancy tests are based on the detection of this hormone in the urine.

Progesterone levels steadily rise during the first few weeks of pregnancy, causing the cervix to thicken and form the mucus plug. The production of relaxin prevents contractions of the uterus until the end of pregnancy. Rising levels of HCG in the body stimulate additional production of estrogen and progesterone. This rapid rise in hormones leads to the first symptoms of pregnancy: nausea, vomiting, and the need to urinate more often.

Estrogen and progesterone levels continue to rise during the second trimester of pregnancy. At this time, placental cells will begin producing the human placental lactogen hormone (HPL), which regulates the woman’s metabolism and helps nourish the growing fetus. Hormone levels decrease when pregnancy ends and gradually return to pre-pregnancy levels. When the mother breastfeeds, it can decrease estrogen levels in the body, which can prevent ovulation from occurring. Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” for improving mood and decreasing anxiety. This hormone plays an important role in childbirth and during breastfeeding to help milk come out.

menopausal hormones

Menopause occurs when a person stops menstruating and is no longer able to conceive. The cessation of menstruation is a consequence of the follicular depletion of the ovaries, leading to the cessation of estrogen and progesterone production.
During perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause), the production of ovarian hormones declines. Estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate and fall continuously. During this transition, large fluctuations in hormone levels can cause a person to experience a variety of symptoms that can include: irregular cycles, hot flashes, sleeping difficulties, mood swings, vaginal dryness, among others.

Knowing how hormones work is very important to keep an eye on our health. Keep an eye!

when to take hormones

Karina says that hormone replacement therapy is most often used to treat common symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. It has also been shown to prevent bone loss and reduce fractures in postmenopausal women. However, there are risks associated with using hormone therapy, which depend on the type of therapy, dose, duration of medication, and individual health risks. For best results, hormone therapy must be tailored to each person.

Hormone replacement therapy primarily focuses on replacing the estrogen that your body no longer produces after menopause. There are two main types of estrogen therapy: systemic hormone therapy and vaginal estrogen. If you’ve had your uterus surgically removed, your doctor will only prescribe estrogen, as all symptoms are related to its lack. If you have a uterus, hormone replacement should be done with estrogen and progesterone because the former alone, when not balanced by progesterone, can stimulate the growth of the inner lining of the uterus, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. Hormone replacement should also be performed in some gynecological pathologies where there is no estrogen production.

Tests that identify hormonal problems

The gynecologist points out that the dosages of estrogen, progesterone, HCG and testosterone are tests carried out through laboratory tests, when necessary. To keep your health up to date, be sure to consult your gynecologist often!

So, are you already ace in female hormones? Another important hormonal issue is about contraceptives for breastfeeding mothers. After all, can it or not? Find out more by reading the article!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.