Females produce many sex hormones and understanding the role of each one is something not taught in schools, and yet is something inherently related to us if we are female.
This article is an overview of the female sex hormones.
Hormones are like our boy’s internal courier network. They carry a message or prompt an action from one gland to another gland or organ. For example, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which travels in the blood stream to the thyroid to stimulate metabolism.
Hormone imbalances are occurring en masse and not many traditional doctors (GPs) are trained in the management of these health problems. You are more likely to get answers, direction and results from a “holistic GP” with a hormone specialty or a naturopath.
Hormones are very important in your overall health. When they are out of balance or under produced you may feel low in energy, have poor sleep, have period issues, menopause problems, fertility issues, headaches, sore breasts, bloated stomach and bladder infections to name only a few!
Not only do they affect your physical self, they can also influence your mood, happiness, anger and irritability which in turn affects your relationships and direction in life.
The common female sex hormones include; Estrogens (there are a few types), Progesterone
Testosterone, Dhea –S, Prolactin, Luteinising Hormone (LH), and Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH). And stress hormones include; Cortisol and Melatonin.
Estrogens (spelt oestrogen in the USA)
These are a group of hormones including Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3). These are made by the ovaries (in pre-menopausal women) and fat tissue by conversion of DHEA-S and testosterone. Hence why over weight ladies have higher than normal Oestrogen levels which in turn STOPs them losing weight. Men also make estrogen, but in much smaller doses made in the testes. Imbalances can lead to fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancers, heavy periods, migraines, fat gain, bloating and depression.
Progesterone (P4)
Progesterone is a very important hormone and for various reasons ladies in Australia seem to have low levels. Rarely is it elevated and ideally it is in a ratio of oestrogen 1:50 (during days 1-14) and 1:200 (during days 14-28) in fertile ladies.
Imbalances can lead to heavy periods, miscarriages, dry skin and low mood.
Testosterone (TT)
Ladies produce testosterone in the ovaries and in the adrenal glands. Men make most of their TT in their testes and produce 10-20 times more than ladies throughout their lives. Imbalances can lead to anger, irritability, acne, body and facial hair, PCOS and infertility.
DHEA-S
DHEA -S is a precursor for estrogen and testosterone (in other words it gives birth to these hormones) during its metabolization process in the body. It isn’t as strong as testosterone but very important with anti-ageing and disease protection. Imbalances can lead to low energy levels.
Sam Beau Patrick likes to get a base line for many ladies and this is a straight forward saliva test (you spit into a small test tube) and costs $140. The results take approximately 2 weeks for the results return. You can order these through the www.byebyebridget.com website. Sam has a book called Beauty and the Beast Within also available from the www.byebyebridget.com site.
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