It is known that in the human body there is a so-called hormonal background. It is the balance of all the hormones in our body, and hormonal surges are physiological, that is, a normal reaction of the body, such as a sharp release of adrenaline into the bloodstream with a strong fright. In women and men, this balance, of course, is different, which is associated with different reproductive systems. Hormonal balance affects mood, he alth and even appearance. In the female body, this role is played by estrogens, gestagens and androgens. What are these hormones? And how do they affect a woman's body?
Estrogens
This is the most female hormone ever. It is produced by the ovaries and at the stage of puberty has a “maturing” function: in girls, the mammary glands increase, hair appears in the armpits, on the pubis, and the pelvis expands, acquiring a feminine shape for furtherdelivery. It is these moments that prepare the future girl for sexual life and future conception. In addition, estrogen affects the appearance and well-being of women. With its norm, a woman feels great and looks much better and fresher than her peers who have hormonal problems.
Androgens and estrogens are also jointly produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone is synthesized from fat cells, but not any, namely from those located on the hips, the so-called "ears". For this reason, a he althy woman always has a fatty layer in this area. But here is an interesting fact that not many people know: a woman should have adipose tissue only where the hormone is produced, so there should not be normal fat on the abdomen. The norm is up to 1 cm of fat, which has only one simple function: cushioning during intercourse.
Androgens
These are estrogen precursors. The ratio of androgens and estrogens affects the success of egg maturation. Androgens are considered male sex hormones. The most famous of all is testosterone. We learn about its manifestations on the example of women who use it for sports competitions: a rough, low voice, increased hairiness and male-type pubic hair, increased sweating, a highly developed muscular system.
The causes of inadequate androgen production are:
- The adrenal glands and ovaries produce too many hormonescause benign tumors of these organs. It can occur, for example, with polycystic ovaries. In this case, the level of androgens may be the same as the level of a young sexually mature male.
- The hormone is produced in the proper amount, but not enough protein compounds that carry it.
- Increased sensitivity to androgens.
Gestagens
Also known as progesterone or "pregnancy hormone". Formed in the corpus luteum of the ovaries from cholesterol and in the adrenal glands. The level of estrogens and gestagens in a woman's body depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle: estrogens predominate in the first half, by the time of ovulation they are replaced by gestagens, and the latter begin to predominate in the second phase of the cycle. Progesterone is responsible for the duration of the menstrual cycle: if it is longer than normal (the cycle is more than 35 days), then it indicates progesterone deficiency.
Other functions of progesterone:
- promotes conception and gestation;
- stimulates lactation after childbirth;
- regulator of the menstrual cycle;
- suppresses the immune system during pregnancy to prevent rejection of the fetus as a "foreign object";
- preparing the pelvic muscles for childbirth.
It's not for nothing that it is called the "hormone of pregnancy". But this is not all of its functions: it regulates mood, hair growth, sebum production and so on.
Climax
This is a condition developed due to a decrease or lack offemale sex hormones due to age-related ovarian dysfunction or forced (for example, when they are removed). During this period, women suffer from a feeling of heat, irritability, memory and weight disorders, the development of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Treatment of menopause
It can be done in two ways: drug and non-drug. The last option is the observance of sleep and rest, diet, motor activity according to individual abilities or physical therapy, physiotherapy courses, rest in sanatoriums. Drug therapy is a replacement for what is missing. That is, hormones are prescribed.
Estrogens and androgens: proportion
As mentioned earlier: androgens are the precursors of estrogens. The hormones of most interest to us are representatives of these two groups: estradiol and testosterone. The functions of androgens and estrogens are completely opposite. Therefore, when diagnosing the hormonal background of a woman, the gynecologist pays special attention to this ratio. Normally, estradiol should be 10 times more than testosterone, even though androgens and estrogens are produced by the same organ. The ratio of 7:1 is the limit. A 5:1 ratio is already considered elevated testosterone and is called hyperandrogenism.
Because of this condition, facial hair increases, and on the head, on the contrary, alopecia. The menstrual cycle is disturbed, the voice changes, the shoulder girdle expands and the clitoris enlarges.
When the hormone ratio shifts in the opposite direction,hyperestrogenism. The development of this condition becomes the starting point of various female diseases, one of which is endometriosis. The mechanism of development is that under the influence of an increased amount of estrogen, the endometrium of the uterus grows. If ignored, this disease and its treatment can lead to infertility.
