Sex Hormones in Women
Pamela W. Smith, MD, MPH, MS
This chapter will begin by examining the major sex hormone in a woman’s body, which is estrogen, produced mainly by the ovaries. Women have estrogen receptor sites throughout their system, including the brain, muscles, bone, bladder, gut, uterus, ovaries, vagina, breasts, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels, to name a few. Estrogen has 400 critical functions, some of which are the following1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13:
Stimulates the production of choline acetyltransferase, an enzyme that prevents Alzheimer disease
Increases metabolic rate
Improves insulin sensitivity
Regulates body temperature
Helps prevent muscle damage
Helps maintain muscle
Improves sleep
Reduces risk of cataracts
Helps maintain the elasticity of arteries
Dilates small arteries
Increases blood flow
Inhibits platelet stickiness
Decreases the accumulation of plaque on arteries
Enhances magnesium uptake and utilization
Maintains the amount of collagen in the skin
Decreases blood pressure
Decreases low-density lipoprotein and prevents its oxidation
Helps maintain memory
Increases reasoning and new ideas
Helps with fine motor skills
Increases the water content of skin and is responsible for its thickness and softness
Enhances the production of nerve growth factor
Increases high-density lipoprotein by 10% to 15%
Reduces the overall risk of heart disease by 40% to 50%
Decreases lipoprotein(a)
Acts as a natural calcium channel blocker to keep arteries open
Enhances energy
Improves mood
Increases concentration
Maintains bone density
Helps prevent glaucoma
Increases sexual interest
Reduces homocysteine
Decreases wrinkles
Protects against macular degeneration
Decreases the risk of colon cancer
Helps prevent tooth loss
Aids in the formation of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin, which decreases depression, irritability, anxiety, and pain sensitivity
Increases glucose and oxygen transport to the neurons
Maintains the blood-brain barrier
Protects neurons
Increases the production of choline acetyltransferase, which is needed for the production of acetylcholine, the main neurotransmitter of memory
Progesterone is another sex hormone synthesized by the ovaries that has many functions in a woman’s body1,14,15,16,17,18,19:
Balances estrogen
Has a positive effect on her sleeping pattern
Helps build bone
Helps prevent anxiety, irritability, and mood swings
Helps bladder function
Regulates the smooth muscle in the gut so that the body can break down food into nutrients that are absorbed to be used elsewhere in the body
Testosterone falls into a class of hormones called androgens, which are commonly referred to as “male” hormones, but they are present in women as well. Testosterone is made in the ovaries, and a small amount is also made in the adrenal glands. It has numerous functions20,21,22,23,24,25:
Decreases bone deterioration
Decreases excess body fat
Aids with pain control
Elevates norepinephrine in the brain consequently having an antidepressant effect
Helps maintain memory
Increases muscle mass and strength
Increases muscle tone
Increases sense of emotional well-being, self-confidence, and motivation
Increases sexual interest
It is paramount that women maintain hormonal balance, of all of their steroid hormones, thrughout their lifetime to help maintain optimal function as well as to aid in pain control.
Sex Hormones in Males
Testosterone is the main sex hormone produced by the male. It is produced by the Leydig cells in the testes, and a small amount is also produced in the adrenal glands. Men have hormone receptors in several locations in their body. Testosterone has many functions including the following26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40:
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