Without exaggeration, we can say that the hormonal background of a woman is a determining factor in her health and well-being.
Female hormones affect the appearance, psycho-emotional and physical condition (body structure, weight and height, skin type, hair structure and color, reaction rate, appetite, manifestation of emotions).
The female reproductive system is entirely subordinate to the production and level of hormones in the body. Female sex hormones determine mood, thinking processes and character.
How is hormone production?
Since female sex hormones are fundamental factors in ensuring good health and mood, you should talk more about the types of sex hormones. This will allow a better understanding of the functional component of this aspect.
The endocrine system consists of endocrine glands, which to a greater extent are the “producers” of hormones.
The glands include:
- pituitary;
- thyroid gland;
- ovarian follicles;
- thymus;
- adrenal glands;
- epithelial body;
- hypothalamus.
After the production of hormones by these glands, the blood transports these substances to all internal organs.
To date, science has identified more than 60 substances that are involved in the process of balancing hormonal levels. Moreover, these processes are independent of age and gender.
The influence of female sex hormones on the processes in the body
Female hormones are a fragile world that easily loses balance due to the influence of a variety of factors.
The balance of hormones in the body provides:
- stable functioning of the nervous system;
- the ability to conceive and bear a baby;
- physical health;
- proper functioning of internal organs.
See also: How to get pregnant the first time. What are the odds and odds
Unbalance the hormonal background can such factors:
- insomnia;
- stress and nervous tension;
- accumulated fatigue;
- decrease in the body’s defenses;
- viral diseases;
- age;
- bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs);
- genetic component;
- medications;
- parasites;
- other phenomena that exist in the lives of women.
The modern pharmacological industry partially solves the problems of women with a hormonal background, since today there are a lot of drugs that contain female sex hormones. Of course, this makes life easier for women who need to stabilize their hormones. Female sex hormones in tablets make it possible to prolong the reproductive period, protect yourself from premature aging.
Hormonal imbalance and hormonal changes in women occurs when they are not resting enough.
The highest concentration of hormones, as scientists have determined, is observed in blondes.
The main types of hormones
Hormones are divided into two main groups: estrogenic (female) and androgenic (male).
Female hormones are inherent only to the fair half. They give women unique abilities to bear children. Estrogens also give women a beautiful body and attractive appearance. Moreover, in the female body in a small concentration there are also male hormones responsible for primary and secondary sexual characteristics.
Some hormones are responsible for sensitivity, emotions, perception of everything that surrounds. The correct ratio of hormones provides a woman with the harmony of her attitude, endowing instincts. With a lack of hormones, a woman’s health is impaired, varying degrees of severity of the disease appear, and years of life are reduced.
Estrogen
One of the main female hormones is estrogen. Estrogen is a group of hormonal substances that are produced in the ovaries. This group of hormones is responsible for the structure of the figure: chest, roundness of the hips. Estrogen is involved in the dynamics of body renewal at the cellular level, maintaining youth and beauty of the skin, hair, affects the state of blood vessels and the fight against cholesterol. Also affected by the emotional canvas and character.
If the body lacks estrogen, then a woman can find out by the following signs:
- decreased sex drive;
- failure of the monthly cycle;
- brittle hair and weak nails;
- pale and dry skin;
- premature aging of the skin and wrinkles;
- male type vegetation;
- memory impairment;
- migraine;
- hyperhidrosis.
Indicators of estrogen in women are as follows:
- follicular phase – 57-227 pg / ml;
- ovulatory – 127 – 476 pg / ml;
- luteal – 77 – 227 pg / ml.
Progesterone
The hormone progesterone can be called the second most important for the female body. Progesterone is a male hormone, as it is dominant in representatives of the strong half of humanity. Progesterone is produced in the body of women only after the release of the egg from the follicle and the production of the corpus luteum. If this process does not occur, then this hormone is not produced.
The highest level of progesterone is on the day of ovulation, therefore it is not surprising that the ability to conceive and bear children depends on the hormone levels in the body.
Progesterone deficiency can be determined by the following symptoms:
- emotional instability;
- bleeding between menstruation;
- soreness in the mammary glands;
- problems in the digestive tract;
- bloating.
Progesterone levels must be balanced. In different phases of the cycle and during pregnancy, the level of the hormone is also different. If you suspect that the progesterone in your body is not normal, you should consult a doctor. Tests for progesterone are given 2-3 days after ovulation. The problem of deviations from the norm must be solved in conjunction with a qualified doctor, since excess or lack of hormone negatively affects the female body.
Indicators of the norm of progesterone in the female body:
- follicular phase – 0.32 – 2.23;
- ovulatory period – 0.48 – 9.41;
- luteal phase – 6.99 – 56.63;
- early pregnancy – 8.90 – 468.40;
- second trimester – 71, 50 – 303.10;
- late pregnancy – 88.70 – 771.50;
- after menopause – <0.64.
Luteinizing hormone
LH or luteinizing hormone is a hormone that produces the anterior pituitary gland. For women, this hormone is important as a stimulator of estrogen synthesis, corpus luteum formation, and a regulator of progesterone secretion.
It is possible to understand that luteinizing hormone is not in order by the following signs:
- anovulation;
- decreased sexual desire;
- hirsutism;
- infertility;
- amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea;
- uterine bleeding (dysfunctional);
- not bearing a child;
- delayed sexual development or premature development;
- sexual infantilism;
- growth retardation;
- polycystic ovary;
- zddometriosis.
LH norm indicators in the female body:
- Ovulation period – 17.0 – 77.0;
- Luteinizing period – <14.7;
- Acceptance of oral contraceptives – <8.0;
- The period after menopause is 11.3 – 39.8.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the growth and further maturation of the follicle in women, and in men – sperm maturation. FSH refers to gonadotropic hormones that are produced by the anterior pituitary gland. The action of follicle-stimulating hormone is also associated with the emergence of a new life.
By about the seventh day of the follicular period, one follicle stands out, begins its growth and development. After a 2-week period, the egg matures in the follicle, which is ready for subsequent fertilization with a sperm.
FSH has the ability to enhance:
- transformation of testosterone into estrogens;
- follicle growth process;
- estrogen synthesis process.
With a lack of follicle-stimulating hormone, a woman is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- scanty discharge during menstruation;
- infertility;
- the process of atrophy of the chest and genitals;
- lack of ovulation.
With increased FSH, the woman’s body reacts as follows:
- bleeding between periods;
- lack of menstruation.
If the ratio of FSH and LH hormones is 2.5, then these indicators indicate:
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- exhaustion of the ovaries;
- pituitary tumors.
The norm of follicle-stimulating hormone in the body of a woman also differs at different periods of the menstrual cycle:
- follicular period – 2.8 – 11.3 mU / l;
- ovulatory period – 5.8 – 21.0 mU / l;
- luteal period – 1.2 – 9.0 mU / l.
Testosterone in women
The adrenal glands produce testosterone. The indicators of this hormone in the body are insignificant, since this hormone belongs to the male type. Testosterone promotes sexual desires, affects the severity of such qualities of character as determination and perseverance. A woman under the influence of testosterone becomes passionate and loving. Such women not only know how to take attention from the opposite sex, but also show an active interest in potential partners.
The higher the testosterone levels in a woman’s body, the more she is fond of sports. In addition, testosterone helps build muscle. Women with high levels of testosterone look younger than their age.
An excess of male hormones in women is manifested in such diseases:
- hirsulism;
- amenorrhea;
- infertility;
- anovulation;
- oligomenorrhea;
- acne eruptions;
- bleeding not associated with menstruation;
- miscarriage;
- polycystic ovary;
- endometriosis;
- myoma;
- the appearance of neoplasms in the chest.
The norm of testosterone in women:
- in reproductive age, the hormone level is <4.1 pg / ml;
- with menopause, indicators are <1.7 pg / ml.
Prolactin
Refers to female sex hormones, which produces the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin is actively involved in breast growth and development, as well as lactation. During pregnancy, prolactin supports the corpus luteum and progesterone production. A woman should consult a doctor if she feels these symptoms:
- galactorrhea;
- mastopathy
- recurrent chest pain;
- anovulation;
- amenomea or oligomenorrhea;
- uterine bleeding between menstruation;
- sexual infantilism;
- inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs;
- problems with lactation after childbirth;
- obesity;
- menopause;
- hirsulism;
- osteoporosis;
- low libido.
- infertility
The norm of prolactin is from 109 to 557 mU / ml.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is produced by the adrenal glands. Oxytocin can be called the hormone of tenderness and care. With an excess of oxytocin, hysteria appears, scandalous for no reason, obsession and excessive care for loved ones.
The highest level of hormone in the postpartum period, it is then that oxytocin contributes to love, anxiety. Oxytocin is characterized by increased sensitivity to stress: it is in a stressful state that the maximum release of oxytocin into the blood occurs. As a result, to get rid of anxiety, a woman begins to care for her relatives with greater intensity.
The hormone promotes a feeling of pity, because women pick up homeless animals, are touched by little kittens and puppies.
The lack of oxytocin in the body of a woman manifests itself:
- the depressed state of a woman;
- depressed mood;
- indifference to others;
- lower energy levels.
- overweight
You can restore normal levels of oxytocin without medication. Often it is enough for a woman to change her lifestyle: pay more attention to herself, find an exciting pastime.
Endocrine diseases
The endocrine system is a kind of hormone production factory. The thyroid gland plays one of the main roles. But with a high degree of significance, the level of her moodiness and instability is quite high. Therefore, the thyroid gland in women is a vulnerability. Diseases of the thyroid gland negatively affect the hormonal background, so the logical question arises of how to restore the balance of hormones. In this situation, female sex hormones in tablets help a lot. The main condition for the effectiveness of drugs is a timely visit to a doctor and compliance with his recommendations. A qualified doctor will quickly determine the hormonal imbalance in the body and select the right treatment without complications.
Menopause and hormones
Menopause consists of three phases:
- Premenopause.
- Menopause.
- Postmenopause.
Each of the phases has a different manifestation, but the main symptom of menopause is a significant decrease in hormonal levels.
There are two pauses in the menstrual cycle: in the first, estrogens dominate, and in the second, progesterones. Menopause may have enough hormones to continue menstruating, but these substances are not always enough for a regular cycle. Female hormones during menopause at the beginning of the period gradually decrease and actively respond to indicators of the thickness of the uterine endometrium.
The premenopausal period is characterized by a high degree of risk of malignant neoplasms.
With the onset of menopause, hormones decrease to such levels that menstruation ceases completely. In postmenopausal women’s hormones cease to be produced, and the ovaries and uterus become smaller. So comes the biological aging of the body.
The endocrine system is a really complex mechanism, because immediately after the decrease in hormones the metabolism also worsens. As a result, a woman feels hot flashes, she has nausea, pressure rises, and tinnitus occurs.
Also, a drop in the level of hormones negatively affects the strength of the bones; in women, disorders of the nervous system manifest:
- Depression;
- Fear of dying;
- Anxiety;
- Panic attacks;
- Irritability;
- Tearfulness.
