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Written by
Maslowski, MBChB, PGDipOMG
As women age, their bodies go through many changes that affect everything from the way they feel, how they sleep, their menstrual cycles, and more. What causes these often pesky transformations? The answer is quite simple: female hormones. Female hormone levels fluctuate throughout your lifetime, impacting your body in different ways. While it can seem scary at times, these functions are incredible and show how intricate and wonderfully complex women’s bodies are. In this article, we’ll take a closer look into how your hormone levels affect your body and mind and provide wellness tips for greater female hormonal health.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel throughout your blood to your tissues and organs, sending messages and triggering responses. Hormones tell your organs and cells how they should function, making them one of the hardest-working parts of your body! They’re produced in small amounts, so they can work slowly and steadily over time. Both men and women have specific sex hormones that are responsible for proper sexual development and production.
In women, the four main female hormones involved in menstruation are estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH.) When their levels are controlled, these four hormones work together to regulate the menstrual cycle. Along with these roles, estrogen and progesterone have numerous other functions throughout the body. Throughout the menstrual cycle, the sex hormones naturally fluctuate, causing different phases to occur. The diagram below shows these phases and the hormone level changes associated with them.
While most hormones are produced by the endocrine gland, the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced by the ovaries in premenopausal women. Once a woman has undergone menopause, these hormones are produced in the fat tissue and adrenal glands but at much lower levels than when produced by the ovaries. During pregnancy, the placenta also produces hormones for women, which explains why pregnant women often struggle with an onslaught of hormonal changes and mood swings. Unlike estrogen and progesterone, which are produced within the reproductive system, LH and FSH are produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. They travel through the blood to the ovaries, helping coordinate some of the ovarian functions.
Each female sex hormone has a specific job in controlling your overall sexual health. This list of female hormones and functions helps break it down so you can better understand how your body works.
Estrogen is one of the most important female sex hormones because it impacts so many parts of the body. Along with the reproductive tract, estrogen affects the heart, brain, and bones. In women, estrogen levels help coordinate puberty, menstrual cycles, ovulation, pregnancy, and menopause. During menopause and menstruation, estrogen levels drop, causing a wide array of symptoms like vaginal dryness, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain.
When a girl is between the ages of eleven and thirteen, she’ll begin to go through puberty. Of course, this age can differ, but for most, this is when the transformation begins. When puberty starts, a girl’s hormones begin to spike with estrogen, signaling the development of breasts, pubic and underarm hair growth, an increase in body fat with a redistribution toward the hips and thighs, growth spurts, and maturation of the internal reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, and vagina. During this time, the menstrual cycle will also begin.
Estrogen is the main sex hormone responsible for menstruation. It increases during the second half of the follicular phase and helps trigger the LH surge that signals the ovaries to begin ovulation. Estrogen increases again during the luteal phase of your cycle, but to a lesser degree than another of the key female reproductive hormones: progesterone. Interestingly, too little estrogen can cause an irregular menstrual cycle, while too much can cause menstrual cycle pain.
During pregnancy, estrogen plays a role in preparing the body for breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, a woman’s estrogen levels lower, which sends a signal to the ovaries to stop ovulating. This natural phenomenon allows some women to use breastfeeding as a contraceptive (birth control). However, it’s important to note this isn’t a foolproof method. For more information on non-hormonal birth control, you can read this article.
Dropping estrogen levels is the catalyst for the start of menopause. The drop in production happens as the number of eggs in the ovaries diminishes, resulting in fewer follicles (groups of cells with an egg in the middle) to produce estrogen. Lowered estrogen levels are what cause the menopausal symptoms that many women experience.
As we mentioned earlier, estrogen impacts numerous parts of the body beyond the reproductive system. These include the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system), skin, hair, muscles and bone, brain, and the urinary tract. Estrogen also impacts our desire for sex (libido). Higher estrogen levels are associated with a higher sex drive, which is why women are often more aroused and likely to have sex when they ovulate as opposed to other times in their cycles.
Estrogen and progesterone are the female sex hormones that are produced by the ovaries. While estrogen is created prior to ovulation, progesterone is produced after by the corpus luteum. Since it’s the second hormone released by the ovaries, it plays a dominant role in the second half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase.) Progesterone is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
Progesterone has several important jobs regulating a woman’s reproductive system. To start, it prepares the endometrium, or the lining in the uterus, each month for implantation and pregnancy. It then supports the health of the pregnancy by decreasing uterine contractions and promoting gestation. Or, in other words, it tells the body to accept the pregnancy and go forward as planned. Interestingly, low progesterone levels are linked to miscarriage and early labor. After ovulation, progesterone suppresses estrogen levels to prepare the womb for pregnancy. Low progesterone levels, also called progesterone dominance, can indicate underlying health problems, so you’ll want to speak with your doctor if you find your progesterone levels are routinely low.
If you’re trying to get pregnant, you may have heard that you can measure progesterone levels to see if you’ve already ovulated. The corpus luteum left behind in the ovaries produces progesterone. You can then measure the progesterone levels during the luteal phase of your cycle to see if they’re elevated, and if they are, you’ve already ovulated. If the progesterone levels haven’t yet risen, ovulation hasn’t occurred. You can read this article about why you have irregular periods to learn more about what happens when the coordination of ovulation is disrupted, including links to infertility and PCOS.,
FSH and LH send signals to the ovaries to coordinate the production of estrogen and progesterone. While progesterone and estrogen are produced by the ovaries, FSH and LH are two women’s hormones produced by the pituitary gland.
FSH and LH in puberty
At the onset of puberty, the pituitary gland produces LH and FSH, and these hormones increase significantly with the girl’s age. The two hormones in women work symbiotically with estrogen and progesterone to push puberty forward.
FSH is one of the primary hormones for women that tells the follicles in the ovaries to start developing. The follicles are small groups of cells with an egg in the middle, and without FHS, they wouldn’t begin this crucial developmental stage. Every month, lots of follicles develop and start producing estrogen, and as they continue developing, these estrogen levels rise. This growth occurs throughout the follicular phase of the cycle (first half of the menstrual cycle) until they reach maturity and one is “chosen” to be released during ovulation. Once the egg is released, the rest of the follicles regress and are reabsorbed by the body. LH is the hormone that signals ovulation. LH levels surge just before ovulation, triggering the egg to release from the dominant follicle.
Testosterone is usually associated with men, not women, but did you know that everyone has it? While it’s more prevalent in men, testosterone plays an important role in women’s health too. While we know that estrogen and sex drive are linked in women, testosterone also plays a role in promoting a healthy libido. In men, testosterone is the primary sex hormone and helps with muscle mass, but in women, its smaller levels help contribute to bone health and fertility. Low testosterone in women can lead to numerous symptoms like a low sex drive, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis. High testosterone can also be a problem, causing symptoms like PCOS, obesity, infertility, acne, and more. Understanding how testosterone levels can directly affect women’s health is important whether you’re trying to get pregnant or protect the health of your body for the future.
There are countless reasons why women’s hormones can become imbalanced. Understanding these issues and the symptoms they create can often help you take charge of your health and begin to make adjustments where needed.
One of the most common causes of hormonal imbalance in women is diet. Unfortunately, in today’s society, unhealthy foods are everywhere, making them difficult to avoid. Highly processed foods, for example, increase stress and inflammation in the adrenal glands, which can impact hormone production and regulation. Foods containing high levels of hydrogenated and saturated fats can cause abnormally high levels of estrogen, which can put you at a higher risk for breast cancer. Caffeine can alter your sleep cycle and elevate cortisol levels, causing you to feel anxious. Finally, dairy and soy contain phytoestrogen, which the body responds to like estrogen. When consumed in large amounts, it can signal to the body that there’s an oversupply of actual sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. In response, your body won’t release these essential hormones, which can impact your ovulation and menstrual cycles, as well as your overall reproductive health.
In women, hormone imbalances often occur due to normal aging. Menopause can directly impact estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. When a woman begins menopause, these hormone levels drop significantly, which can lead to symptoms like headaches, depression, increased thirst, fatigue, anxiety and irritability, decreased sex drive and libido, and insomnia.
The medications you take can contribute to an imbalance in numerous hormone types in women. Some doctors may prescribe hormone replacement medication to help regulate hormonal fluctuations. As a woman, hormone changes while taking medications are unfortunately common, so be sure to talk to your doctor about any prescription medicines you’re taking and how they may affect your hormone production, regulation, and overall health.
While understanding the long list of female hormones can feel a bit overwhelming, knowing when to talk to a doctor if you believe they’re imbalanced can be even more confusing. Generally speaking, if you’re experiencing new or ongoing symptoms that are extreme or constant, it’s best to discuss your concerns with a doctor. They can work with you to check your hormone levels and discuss ways to improve your overall health. Below is a list of symptoms to keep an eye out for when dealing with fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels.
Maintaining female hormone health and wellness doesn’t have to be hard or complicated; in fact, once you start, you may find that it’s quite enjoyable. Here are some of the top tips you can do to take control of your hormonal health.
Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for combating hormonal imbalance. To help ensure you enjoy higher quality sleep, avoid blue lights from electronics before bed and try meditating, reading, and calming your mind before you go to sleep for the night.
As we discussed earlier, fatty, highly processed foods are not only bad for your overall health, but they’re horrible for your hormonal health. Eating a balanced diet that’s high in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help you control your hormones and feel more energized. Adding in probiotic-rich foods like cabbage, yogurt, and kefir can also promote good gut health, which positively impacts your entire body.
Stress drives up cortisol levels and keeps your body from producing the natural hormones it needs. While reducing stress can be challenging, small and mindful changes can make a huge difference in how you think and feel. Try taking walks outside, limiting screen time, spending time with friends and family, and talking with a therapist. Reducing stress not only helps you control your hormone levels but contributes to a higher quality of life.
Understanding female hormones is a great way to take control of your health. While women have numerous hormones, the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are crucial for reproductive health and well-being. When hormones are out of balance, it can cause a variety of symptoms, so taking steps to maintain healthy levels is key. The better you understand your hormones and how they affect your body, the more empowered you’ll be to take your health into your own hands. For help tracking your hormones, check out the award-winning Hormona App, the first end-to-end solution allowing women to live in harmony with their hormones and discover greater hormonal health.
What happens if estrogen is low?
Many people wonder, “What are sex hormones used for in the body other than increasing libido?” Estrogen is one of the most important female reproductive hormones as it helps with menstrual cycle regulation, but what happens when this sex hormone is too low? Low estrogen can cause menopausal symptoms, mood changes, brittle bones, changes to the skin, headaches, weight gain, trouble concentrating, and more. If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor.
What hormone is the love hormone?
When it comes to guessing the love hormone, you may think you can figure it out by asking what hormone increases sex drive in females. But you may be surprised to hear it’s actually not estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone. In fact, the love hormone is oxytocin!
What is the strongest female hormone?
When it comes to the strongest female hormone, it’s important to consider numerous factors like what hormone causes female arousal and how many hormones do females have. Many people ask, “What is the female sex hormone called that impacts the body the most,” and the answer is estrogen! Another common question is, what are the two primary female sex hormones? Along with estrogen, progesterone has the biggest impact on the sex and reproductive systems. While not as prevalent, testosterone also plays a key role in maintaining hormonal health and balance.
Does progesterone make you gain weight?
While one of the common questions women ask regarding sex hormones is, “Does progesterone increase libido/sex drive,” they also wonder if it will make them gain weight. Progesterone is not only a natural part of a woman’s menstrual cycle, but it’s one of the hormones released during sex in females. Fortunately, progesterone has not been shown to cause significant weight gain!
What happens when a girl has high testosterone?
If a girl has high testosterone, it could cause her to have irregular periods, more facial or body hair, mood swings, obesity, and PCOS. When asked what the two primary female sex hormones are, testosterone doesn’t top the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Having balanced testosterone promotes muscle and bone health, sexual function, normal menstrual cycles, even mood, and high energy levels.
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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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