Do you know what hormones are and what they do? Or the unique functions of each type? Join me today as I give you the 101 on hormones. The better you understand your body, the more capable you are of treating it right. And when you treat it right, your health, longevity, fitness, and body goals will be so much easier to meet. Let’s get started!

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are part of the endocrine system, which is made up of special glands that create and send out hormones. These glands include the ovaries (women), testes (men), pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pineal body, and pancreas. Hormones are referred to as the body’s chemical messengers. (For my science lovers out there, though the stomach, intestines, and heart produce hormones, they aren’t considered a part of the endocrine system since hormone production isn’t their primary function.)

Like the mailman, hormones travel to different parts of the body with “messages” that direct them to perform certain functions. While the speed at which they go and get things done varies, most of the time, their effects are slow and build up over time.

Function

The messages that hormones carry initiate several different processes, such as:

• Growth and development (think puberty or childhood, as well as building muscle)
• Reproduction (libido, sex, pregnancy)
• Mood (depression or happiness)
• Metabolism (or how the body obtains energy from food)
• Digestion
• Sleep and circadian rhythms (“internal body clock”)
• Survival
• Heart health
• Bone health
• Internal body temperature
• Hunger and thirst

[1] [2] [3] [4]

A Look into the Different Hormones

Not all hormones are the same. Some are mostly for reproduction, others for survival. Let’s explore what these are!

Androgens

These are referred to as “male” hormones that include testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHT (dihydrotestosterone), and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S). They’re produced both by the adrenal gland and the ovaries (women) and are made from cholesterol. (Muscle and fat tissue can synthesize testosterone, too.) While androgens are especially important for men, both genders require some degree of androgens. [5] [6]

Here’s what they can do for your health:

Testosterone: Sperm production (men). Male development. Regulating luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. Red blood cell production. Muscle mass. Stronger bones. Mood. Memory. Cognition. Sexual arousal. [7]

Androstenedione: Considered a “pro-hormone” due to it having weak, individual effects on the body. However, it’s also viewed as a “stepping stone” for the creation of other hormones like testosterone and estrogen. [8]

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): A precursor to the creation of testosterone and estradiol. The most abundant steroid hormone in the body. [9]

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): Responsible for the body maturing during puberty as well as the development of male genitalia. [10]

Signs of Androgen Excess:

The following symptoms may indicate an excess of androgens:

• Acne or oily skin
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) (women)
• Infertility (women)
• Irregular periods (women)
• Hirsutism (facial hair growth in women)
• Thinning hair (male pattern baldness in women, too)
• Insulin resistance and diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Deep or hoarse voice (women)
• Early puberty (in men)
• Excess hairiness (men)
• Aggression

[5] [11] [12]

Signs of Low Androgen Levels:

Here’s a list of symptoms of low androgen levels:

• Poor sense of well-being or confidence
• Low libido (women)
• Bone loss
• Bone fractures
• Hot flashes (men)
• Erectile dysfunction (men)
• Low sex drive (men)
• Decreased facial hair growth (men)
• Muscle loss (men)
• Poor strength
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Poor concentration
• Infertility (men)

[5] [11] [12]

Estrogen

One of two major sex hormones in women (although men have it too, but in smaller amounts). In women, estrogen is responsible for the development of breasts, pubic and underarm hair, and menstrual cycle. Estrogen mainly comes from the ovaries but is also secreted by the adrenal glands. Other parts of the body make it too, including fat tissue, bones, liver, and skin. 

 Estrogen isn’t only for women’s health. It’s also involved in:

• Bone development
• Brain function
• Heart health
• Urinary Tract health
• Cholesterol balance
• Mood
• Skin health
• Distribution of body fat
• Regulates fat (lipid) and sugar (glucose) metabolism

[13] [16]

Many people aren’t aware that there are different types of estrogen. These include:

Estrone (E1):  A “weak” estrogen produced by body fat, ovaries, and the placenta during pregnancy. Needed for fetal growth and development in the womb. [13]

Estradiol (E2): The strongest and most active estrogen during menstruation. Made from cholesterol. Helps to maintain female reproductive health, thicken the lining of the uterus, and support breast tissue. Also increases the density of bones and cartilage. In men, it’s needed for sperm production. Most of the estrogen in the body is estradiol. [13] [14]

Estriol (E3): The main type of estrogen during pregnancy. The majority is made and released by the placenta. Another weak type of estrogen. Experts believe that it induces labor after becoming the dominant hormone. [13] [15]

Estetrol (E4): Made only during pregnancy from the liver of the fetus. 

Signs of Excess Estrogen:

Here’s a list of symptoms of estrogen excess (or dominance):

• Weight gain (waist, hips, thighs)
• Gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts (men)
• Poor erections (men)
• Infertility (men)
• Light or heavy bleeding (women)
• PMS (women)
• Fibrocystic breasts (non-cancerous lumps in the breasts)
• Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors in the uterus)
• Depression or anxiety (women)
• Low libido (women)
• Fatigue
• Gallbladder problems

[13]

Signs of Low Estrogen Levels:

Here’s a list of symptoms of low estrogen levels:

• Irregular or absent periods (women)
• Hot flashes or night sweats (women)
• Low libido
• Mood swings
• Dry skin
• Painful sex
• Weight gain
• Trouble concentrating
• Infertility
• Weak, brittle bones
• Bone fractures
• Frequent UTI infections
• Breast tenderness
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Migraines (menstrual-related)
• Belly fat (men)

Progesterone

The pregnancy hormone. A way to remember progesterone is by associating it with “pro-gestation.” Like other hormones, the body requires cholesterol to make progesterone. Most of it is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovaries, with smaller amounts coming from the adrenal glands and the placenta during pregnancy. 

 Progesterone does several things to the body, including:

• Maintaining early stages of pregnancy
• Preparing the body for pregnancy (women) by thickening the lining of the uterus
• Supporting lactation (milk production)
• Prevents the buildup of the lining in the uterus

[17] [18]

Signs of High Progesterone:

Here’s a list of symptoms of high progesterone:

• Ovarian cysts and tumors
• Potential risk for the development of adrenal and ovarian cancer
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (however, high progesterone is a symptom, not a cause, of this condition)
• Abnormal pregnancy (hydatidiform mole)
• Constipation

High elevated progesterone levels don’t happen normally. Even then, most experts don’t believe there are any risks to having great amounts, especially during pregnancy, when it’s supposed to elevate. [17] [19]

Signs of Low Progesterone:

Here’s a list of symptoms of low progesterone levels:

• Heavy bleeding
• Irregular periods
• Absent periods
• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous situation when the egg develops outside of the uterus)
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the uterine during pregnancy)
• Poor ovarian function
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Mood changes

[17] [19]

Closing

Whew! There you have it, everyone. A huge 101 into hormones! Learn anything new from this post? Feel free to let me know in the comments down below!

Sources:

[1] https://www.livescience.com/26496-endocrine-system.html
[2] https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/endocrine/glands/
[3] https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html
[4] https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones
[5] https://www.healthywomen.org/condition/androgen
[6] https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/androgens-101
[7] https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-testosterone#side-effects
[8] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/androstenedione/
[9] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dehydroepiandrosterone/
[10] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dihydrotestosterone/
[11] https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/signs-high-testosterone-women
[12] https://www.verywellfamily.com/high-and-low-testosterone-levels-in-men-and-women-1959949
[13] https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/estrogen
[14] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/oestradiol/
[15] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/oestriol/
[16] https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/low-estrogen-symptoms#symptoms
[17] https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/progesterone-101
[18] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/progesterone/
[19] https://www.healthline.com/health/progesterone-function#high-progesterone