How Do Female Sex Hormones Affect Menstruation, Pregnancy, and Other…

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What are hormones?

Hormones are natural substances produced in the body. They help to relay messages between cells and organs and affect many bodily functions. Everyone has what are considered “male” and “female” sex hormones.

Keep reading to learn more about the female sex hormones, how they fluctuate throughout your life, and signs of a hormonal imbalance.

Types of female sex hormones

The two main female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Although testosterone is considered a male hormone, females also produce and need a small amount of this, too.

Estrogen

Estrogen is the major female hormone. The lion’s share comes from the ovaries, but small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells. During pregnancy, the placenta also makes estrogen.

Estrogen plays a big role in reproductive and sexual development, including:

  • puberty
  • menstruation
  • pregnancy
  • menopause

    • Estrogen also affects the:

  • brain
  • cardiovascular system
  • hair
  • musculoskeletal system
  • skin
  • urinary tract

    • Estrogen levels can be determined by a blood test. While it can vary from person to person, these are what’s considered the normal ranges in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL):

  • Adult female, premenopausal: 15-350 pg/mL
  • Adult female, postmenopausal:

    Posted : 2024-08-29 10:50

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