{"id":36995,"date":"2023-07-28T18:18:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T18:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=36995"},"modified":"2024-10-29T21:46:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T21:46:20","slug":"female-hormones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/female-hormones\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Female Hormones? We break them all down"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you enter a new life stage, your hormones change with you. Female hormones, in particular, evolve through your lifespan to support puberty, pregnancy, menopause<\/a>, and beyond. Understanding hormones, let alone how to manage them, can seem complicated.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Think of this guide as your hormone manual that breaks down female hormones and provides tips on how to navigate them throughout your different life stages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

What are hormones?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Hormones are an umbrella term for chemical substances that carry messages<\/a> and facilitate different functions throughout the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Sex hormones, also known as reproductive hormones, are a more specific group of hormones. These hormones play a major role in the major life stages including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. They also influence sex drive and sperm production.<\/p>\n\n\n

Everyone has the same sex hormones in their body, regardless of gender<\/a>. Your gender, however, will influence hormone amounts, production sites, and their roles within the body. This is why sex hormones are commonly referred to as \u201cfemale hormones\u201d or \u201cmale hormones\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Female<\/figure>\n\n\n

Female hormones\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n

The female hormones that play a key role in the major life stages include estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a breakdown of everything that you need to know about each female hormone:<\/p>\n\n\n

Estrogen: The Queen Bee<\/h3>\n\n\n

The top female hormone is estrogen<\/a>. Estrogen mainly works to regulate the menstrual cycle and oversee reproductive health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

During puberty, estrogen leads the development of sexual characteristics, including breast development and the start of the menstrual cycle. During the menstruation years, estrogen fluctuates monthly and works closely with other hormones to prime the body for ovulation and pregnancy. Then, estrogen levels taper to transition the body into menopause.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Interestingly, estrogen\u2019s influence extends beyond reproduction. It also plays a key role in the maintenance of bone density<\/a> and heart health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Progesterone: The Calming Companion<\/h3>\n\n\n

Like estrogen, progesterone<\/a> is produced in the ovaries and plays a key role in reproductive health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

After estrogen preps the body for a possible pregnancy during the first half of the menstrual cycle, progesterone steps in to prepare the uterus lining to receive a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop, signaling the uterine lining to shed. This shedding is what initiates a menstrual period<\/a>. If pregnancy does occur, progesterone levels stay elevated to further support the pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n

Additionally, progesterone is vital in managing mood. It acts as a natural mood regulator by exhibiting a calming effect. On the other hand, drops in progesterone during the menstrual cycle and menopause<\/a> can have negative effects on mood.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone: The Cycle Conductor\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n

Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH<\/a>, is made in the pituitary gland of the brain. Like all female hormones, it has a significant influence over reproductive health, particularly fertility<\/a> and menstruation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Essentially, FSH kicks-off the menstrual cycle. FSH levels begin to rise which cues the ovaries to start preparing an egg for ovulation. This process requires the stimulation of the egg-containing follicle – hence its name, \u201cfollicle-stimulating hormone\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Luteinizing Hormone: The Key To Ovulation<\/h3>\n\n\n

Luteinizing hormone, known as LH<\/a>, is also produced in the brain\u2019s pituitary gland. FSH essentially functions as the key to ovulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

During the first half of the menstrual cycle, LH and FSH work together to stimulate the growth of a follicle (egg) in the ovaries. As the immature egg develops, estrogen levels begin to rise. Once estrogen levels rise sufficiently, a surge in LH occurs which signals the matured egg to be released from the follicle. This is known as ovulation and the start of the luteal phase.<\/p>\n\n\n

But LH\u00a0 doesn’t stop there \u2013 the LH surge also helps transform the empty follicle into a structure known as the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is responsible for making progesterone, which we know preps the lining of the uterus for a potential pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, causing a drop in progesterone and the start of a new menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Managing Hormones in Your 20’s<\/h2>\n\n\n

During your 20\u2019s, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone usually follow a predictable pattern. As such, many women experience relatively regular menstrual cycles. The word relative<\/em> is key since regular can feel a little different for everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

This may also be the time that you start to recognize patterns or symptoms that occur monthly like clock-work. For many, this includes physical and emotional changes that are linked to hormonal fluctuations that occur as part of your menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n

For instance, estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during the middle of your menstrual cycle in anticipation of a possible pregnancy. These hormonal ups and downs, particularly during the luteal phase, can cause uncomfortable symptoms including breast tenderness, mood changes, and skin blemishes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"hormones<\/figure>\n\n\n

Fortunately, implementing simple lifestyle and dietary<\/a> tips can play a significant role in helping you maintain hormonal balance during this time. Here\u2019s how you can help support a healthy hormonal balance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n