The two main female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Females also produce and need small amount of testosterone.

Estrogen causes eggs to mature in ovaries once a girl hits puberty.

Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone play a role in female sexual desire and sexual functioning.
Surgery to remove adrenal glands or ovaries cuts down on testosterone production, which can cause a drop in sexual desire.

Testosterone is considered a male hormone.

Testosterone stimulates sperm production in males.

The roles our hormones play change over time !

ESTROGEN

Estrogen is the major female hormone. The ovaries produce the major part, but small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells.
Estrogen plays a major role in reproductive and sexual development, including:

• puberty
• menstruation
• pregnancy
• menopause

 Estrogen also affects the

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

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is produced by the ovaries after ovulation. The role of progesterone is to

• prepare the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg
• support pregnancy
• suppress estrogen production after ovulation

PUBERTY

Production of hormones (LH & FSH) increases at puberty, which stimulates the sex hormones, especially estrogen. This increase results in:

• development of breasts
• growth of pubic & armpit hair
• overall growth spurt
• increase in body fat, especially in the hips and thighs
• maturation of the ovaries, uterus and vagina
• start of menstrual cycle

Estrogen causes eggs to mature in ovaries once a girl hits puberty.

Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone play a role in female sexual desire and sexual functioning.
Surgery to remove adrenal glands or ovaries cuts down on testosterone production, which can cause a drop in sexual desire.