A Guide To Female Hormone

Female hormones are chemicals made in the glands, and they move within the body through bloodstream. Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones associated with females, and along with testosterone, are produced in ovaries. These hormones, along with luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone have specific functions in female reproductive system. Testosterone plays an important role in the females, and influences their sexual drive. In many cases, when given in small doses, the testosterone therapy has helped women with declining sex drive, especially after menopause.

Female Hormones

Female sex hormones are the most important hormones made by the ovaries. During puberty, oestrogen causes the uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina to mature, and is also responsible for breast development. It plays an important role in spurt of growth, and influences the distribution of fat in the body. This results in more fat being deposited around buttocks, hips and thighs.

From puberty, FSH, LH, progesterone and oestrogen female hormones play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle of a woman, resulting in her periods. Each body has its own pattern, and the level of female hormones fall and rise at different points in the cycle. However, together, they all produce a predictable pattern of events.

During fetal development, sex glands are active, but during infancy and childhood, they are relatively inactive. At puberty, sex glands are very active, and produce sexual urges and development. After that, women usually settle down into regular ovulation pattern.

Estrogen is a primary female hormone, and it builds up uterine lining, thickens the vaginal wall and stimulates breast tissue. It affects almost each and every organ of the body, and also plays important role in bone building. Progesterone is made during second half of menstrual cycle only, and prepares the lining of uterus for egg to implant. Testosterone is also made in ovaries, and is responsible for generating energy, stimulating sexual desire and developing muscle mass.

The balance of female hormones in the body is affected by several factors. Ovaries and pituitary glands are constantly communicating with each other through their respective hormones, and dictate the production of eggs and changing hormone levels of monthly cycle.

The internal thermostat of the body is disrupted by falling and fluctuating estrogen levels, causing vasomotor instability. The reduction in estrogen female hormone also affects the muscle tone in the pelvic area and sleep cycles.

Many women seek the female hormone replacement therapy during menopause, as it is a stage of major, permanent changes to the female hormone level and balance in the body. Ovaries stop producing eggs and quit producing their hormones. This therapy provides relief from some very unpleasant symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness.