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.