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Written by
Stacy Miller
A woman’s hormones play a powerful role in regulating numerous body functions. Of those, female sex hormones are essential for reproductive health. Having a thorough understanding of the types of hormones in female bodies and how they impact your physical and emotional wellbeing can take the mystery out of why you feel the way you feel. In this article, we’ve made a list of female hormones and functions so you can better understand your body and how it works.
If you’ve never heard that women have specific feminine hormone levels, you’re probably wondering, “What are the female hormones and how many hormones do women have? Female hormones are hormones released in higher concentrations in a woman’s body, helping regulate a wide range of bodily functions. However, men also have these hormones, so the term “female hormones” can be confusing. There are two primary female hormones: estrogen and progesterone, which help regulate the reproductive system, menstrual cycle, and your overall health. So, what are female hormones? Let’s get into it below.
One common question we get is, “How many hormones do females have?” There are plenty of hormones in women. The top list includes 20, however we’ll talk in this article only about a few essential hormones for women. Although you have many hormones, women are primarily affected by their female sex hormone levels.
Estrogen, often called the girl hormone, is a family of hormones that includes estrone, estradiol, estriol, and estetrol. Beginning at puberty, estrogen levels play a key role in initiating and regulating the menstrual cycle, breast development, and fertility. In addition to their role in pregnancy, estrogens support bone and cardiovascular health and can influence mood. Estradiol is a primary hormone in women, it dominates during the reproductive years and is mainly produced in the ovaries. After menopause, as estradiol levels decline, estrone becomes the major form of estrogen, although its concentration is lower than before the menopausal transition. Estrone is primarily produced after menopause by the adrenal glands and fat cells.
When it comes to hormones, female bodies also produce high levels of progesterone. Progesterone is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy, preventing early uterine contractions, and supporting fetal development. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum inside the ovaries after ovulation and aids in menstrual cycle regulation and mood balance.
If you’ve questioned, “What is the female hormone called that helps a woman’s sex drive? The answer may surprise you. Testosterone is one of the key hormones for women, aiding in sexual function, muscle and bone health, and mood. That’s right, testosterone isn’t just for men; it benefits women, too! Without adequate testosterone, you can experience a decreased sex drive and low energy.
LH, or luteinizing hormone, is produced by the pituitary gland and influences the release of a mature egg approximately in the middle of menstrual cycle. LH influences the corpus luteum to produce progesterone and androgens, which are then converted to estrogen.
FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is responsible for recruiting and growing ovarian follicles, which mature an egg for ovulation. The hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and is also a part of a woman’s sexual development. Adequate FSH levels are essential in the ovulation process since the ovaries must release an egg for fertilization to occur.
As a woman hormones not only impact your physical body but also your emotional and mental wellbeing. Oxytocin, also called the “love hormone,” is a perfect example. Although its role in reproductive health is important, triggering contractions during labor, promoting milk let-down when nursing, and returning the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size, it doesn’t stop there. Oxytocin is critical for social bonding, contributing to feelings of empathy, trust, and love. It can help reduce anxiety and stress levels and contribute to positive mental health.
Prolactin also aids in menstrual cycle regulation, interacting with LH and FSH to promote ovulation. It’s also essential in lactation, helping maintain and produce an adequate milk supply. Prolactin also has a part in immune system regulation, stress response, and metabolism, making it another important female hormone.
Now that we’ve answered the question, “What are female hormones called?” it’s time to discuss how they can impact your health. Changes in your hormone levels can cause a range of symptoms like poor sleep, skin issues, mood swings, weight changes, fatigue, and low libido. As your menstrual cycle progresses, these symptoms can come and go as your hormones fluctuate.
One of the best ways to make sense of the physical, mental, and emotional changes that come with hormone fluctuations is by using the Hormona hormone tracker. With Hormona, you can monitor the progression of your cycle, log symptoms, and even test your hormone levels. This award-winning app makes it easy to track and analyze symptoms, putting you in control of your hormone health.
Estradiol is considered the strongest female hormone, playing a key role in menstrual cycle regulation, reproductive organ development, maintaining pregnancy, bone and cardiovascular health, and brain function.
The signs of a hormone imbalance can vary since it depends on the gland being impacted. Symptoms can include weight changes, mood swings, sleep issues, fatigue, hair loss, low libido, and menstrual irregularities.
While there’s no drink to regulate hormones, it’s important to stay hydrated with water. If you notice an imbalance with your hormones, you should address the issue when possible. Hormones are simply messengers, so when their levels change, it’s a reflection of the bodily process or an external factor.
Gender-affirming therapy is when a male takes female hormones to appear more feminine. In time, the hormones can impact sexual characteristics, voice, hair growth, and body composition.
Yes, vitamin D can act like a hormone in the body, regulating phosphate and calcium levels, impacting bone strength, and supporting immune function.
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Dr Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the myriad of sleep.
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