As a woman, our hormones play a much larger role in our lives than we may realize. From our general health to sexual development and reproduction, our hormones are at the forefront of many systems within our bodies that impact us every day, whether we realize it or not.
For our last post of our 2022 I Am Woman: A Celebration of Womanhood series, we are taking a look at the different types of female hormones, how they affect us, and how to ensure your hormone levels remain normal.
The 3 Main Types of Female Hormones
Before learning how to regulate our body’s hormones, it’s important to understand what the different hormones are and what purposes they serve.
Biological females have three main types of hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of these hormones has different roles within the body, however, they all work together to ensure your overall health and well-being.
Estrogen
A woman’s ovaries are responsible for making the majority of the body’s estrogen. Estrogen’s most important job is to regulate the menstrual cycle through all four phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase, and menstruation. In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen also affects:
- The reproductive tract
- The urinary tract
- The heart and blood vessels
- Bones
- Breasts
- Skin
- Hair
- Mucous membranes
- Pelvic muscles
- The brain
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine gland that the female body produces after ovulation during the menstrual cycle.
The levels of this hormone will rise for roughly 3-5 days in the middle of your menstrual cycle to trigger the thickening of the mucus membrane within the uterus to prepare the body for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur then progesterone levels will drop again.
Testosterone
When people hear the word “testosterone” they most often associate it with males. While testosterone is the main sex hormone in males, it is also a crucial part of the female body as well.
Testosterone combines with estrogen in the female body to support the growth, development, and maintenance of female reproductive tissues. Additionally, testosterone also plays a major role in bone growth and strength, cognitive function, sex drive, and overall feeling of well-being.
Female Hormones and Menopause
Menopause can be defined as the natural decline in reproductive hormones when a woman causing a woman to no longer menstruate.
This process begins to occur as the ovaries make less estrogen over time. Having less estrogen produced within the female body during this time can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms.
Signs of Female Hormone Imbalance
A hormone imbalance happens when there is too little or too much of one or more of these three hormones.
There are many conditions and causes that can create this imbalance such as menopause, that can lead to symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Acne
- Infertility
- Weight gain or loss
- Hair loss
- Hot flashes
- Loss of sex drive
- Excess body or facial hair
- Memory fog
- Issues sleeping and more
Luckily, there are many effective treatments available, from everyday lifestyle adjustments such as embracing a healthier diet, to hormone replacement therapies that can alleviate these symptoms.
Copperstate and Your Female Hormones
If you think you are experiencing signs of a hormone imbalance or beginning menopause, Copperstate can help.
Our practice is recognized as one of the most progressive OB/Gyn groups in Southern Arizona. Our expert physicians offer a number of services focused on helping you feel your best, including menopause and hormone replacement services.
I Am Woman: A Celebration of Womanhood
In March 1992, Dr. Karen Addis and her husband Dr. Walt Patton opened Copperstate OB/GYN, a premier women’s healthcare facility focused on providing exceptional reproductive healthcare to women of all ages, and through every stage of life including menopause. This year we are celebrating 30 years of female empowerment with I Am Woman: A Celebration of Womanhood. In addition to our monthly blog posts, we’ll be hosting Facebook Live sessions and giveaways each month in our Facebook group, Tucson Women: Healthy Living, that will celebrate womanhood and test followers’ knowledge!
Are you looking for an OB/Gyn you can trust to help you balance your hormones in the Tucson area? Let us support you in achieving true health and wellness. Call (520) 721-8605 to book your appointment today.
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