The Different Types of Sex Hormones Knowing and understanding sex hormones and how they work is beneficial to your sexual health. Sex hormones are a group of hormones responsible for regulating the sexual drive and desire of men and women. They serve as chemical messengers of the body. They carry messages specifically between your organs and cells. These hormones keep the body balanced and functioning to its fullest potential. The sex hormones are steroid-based. They come in different names, such as gonadal steroids, sex steroids, and gonadocorticoids. They are produced in specialized tissues known as glands. These include the ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands. Sex hormones are available in small amounts, yet they regulate metabolism, reproduction, and development. They also influence one’s mood. Read on to learn more about them. Testosterone Testosterone, the dominant male sex hormone, is produced in the testes. It plays a crucial role in the production and regulation of sperm cells. This sex hormone is active throughout the body and affects other health areas. It contributes to the production of blood cells, the distribution of fat, hair growth, and heart, bone, and muscle health. But did you know that women also have high testosterone levels? The hormone contributes to fat metabolism and muscle growth in men and women. It also affects women’s libido, fertility, mood, and skin condition. The body starts to produce testosterone during puberty and slows down at 30. Sometimes, chronic health conditions, injury to the testicles, undergoing cancer treatments, and stress can cause testosterone levels to drop. Low testosterone levels can lead to a decrease in sex drive and energy. Men also experience weight gain and hair loss. Since testosterone can affect mood, low T levels can also result in depression, low self-esteem, and moodiness. On the other hand, women’s T levels decline steadily as they age. It can be caused by removing the ovaries and diseases associated with the pituitary, adrenal glands, and hypothalamus. Women with low T levels exhibit poor libido, depression, lack of concentration, and reduced bone strength. Progesterone Progesterone is a female sex hormone produced in the ovaries after ovulation. Its primary job is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. It plays a vital role in the first trimester and regularly maintains menstrual cycles. Also, it is crucial in regulating brain function, sexual health, and mood. The adrenal glands and the testes also produce progesterone, albeit in smaller amounts. In contrast with a woman, progesterone is needed in men’s prostate and sperm health. Progesterone is secreted in the placenta and corpus luteum. It’s combined with other sex hormones to reduce the risks of cervical or uterine cancer. Progesterone and estrogen are essential in feminizing hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. People would typically presume that progesterone is only a sex hormone. The fact is it serves many purposes. It serves as a metabolic intermediate in producing neurosteroids and corticosteroids. It also affects sperm motility. This sex hormone is most active in pregnancy. It’s vital in fetus development, especially in thickening the vaginal epithelium and cervical mucus to avoid penetration by the sperm. It also helps prepare the endometrium for implantation. Decreased levels of this female sex hormone during menopause lead to thinning and wrinkling of the skin and atrophy. It also reduces the elasticity, firmness, and strength of one’s skin. However, these can be remedied by hormone replacement therapy using progesterone alone or combined with estrogen. Did you know that progesterone may cause addiction? It can enhance serotonin receptors’ function and create an imbalance in progesterone, leading to neurochemical issues. Insufficient progesterone can cause one to turn to cannabis, nicotine, or alcohol to help improve serotonin activity. [TEST] Estrogen Estrogen is another sex hormone that helps maintain sexual and reproductive health. It’s normal for estrogen levels to fluctuate during menstruation and to decline during menopause. The ovaries primarily produce it, but the adrenal glands and fatty tissue also secrete it. Also, the placenta secretes this hormone during pregnancy. When released, estrogen travels through your bloodstream and binds with estrogen receptors found all over your body. Estrogen is known for its role in reproductive health. It’s responsible for developing secondary sex characteristics during puberty, like widening the hips and growing breasts. It also affects your menstrual cycle as it plays a crucial role in ovulation and the thickening of the endometrium or uterus in preparation for pregnancy. This sex hormone is vital during pregnancy and fertility. Estrogen levels peak during your most fertile period. During this time, it also makes the cervical mucus thinner to facilitate the passage of sperm to fertilize the egg. However, estrogen levels start to decline during perimenopause, which can last for several years. A perimenopause symptom checker can help determine if you’ve reached this stage. Meanwhile, menopause happens when you don’t menstruate for a year and may start when you reach 51 years old. To be sure, your doctor may ask you to take a menopause test. You don’t ovulate during this period, and estrogen levels start to drop. This can cause vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and moodiness. On the other hand, estrogen has other non-reproductive functions. It affects your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also regulates skeletal processes, including bone and muscle mass. It contributes to collagen production, better blood circulation, and brain function. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Dehydroepiandrosterone is a precursor hormone that has powerful effects when converted into testosterone and estradiol. It’s produced from cholesterol by the adrenal cortex, though the testes and ovaries produce it in small amounts. This hormone provides approximately 75% of estrogen before menopause and 100% after. Women who have too much dehydroepiandrosterone suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism. High levels of this hormone can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. On the other hand, low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone can cause women to have low libido and osteoporosis. Sex hormones play different roles in your body. They significantly affect your reproductive health. Though menopause is normal, women experience varied signs and symptoms. The best thing to do is take a menopause test.