The production of female sex hormones is affected. Functions of hormones in the human body. Features of hormonal drugs

Text: Evgeniya Bagma

We all know that hormones have a profound effect on our health, beauty, and even our relationships with the opposite sex. The question arises - how exactly and what hormones affect?

What exactly do hormones do?

Before understanding what hormones affect It's worth finding out where they come from. In the human body, there are several endocrine glands that produce special chemical activators, hormones that have a strong influence on our health, controlling and regulating many processes. What hormones affect is not only our physical condition, but also mental. In other words, how and in what ratio hormones are produced depend on such diverse characteristics as a woman’s ability to conceive and bear a child, sexual desire, beauty, growth, the work of certain organs, temperament, and many others.

In general, hormones have several main functions. So what do hormones do? As we already know, first of all, this is the physical, mental and sexual development of a person. Another function is the adaptation of the body to certain conditions. For example, a person's reaction to stress, temperature changes, etc. Thirdly, the constancy of the internal state of the body, that is, homeostasis, depends on hormones. And, finally, hormones are a kind of signal substances for the body, since it is they who establish connections between organs and tissues, signaling certain changes and processes.

Dependence of physical and mental health on hormones

For example, we can consider specifically what hormones affect - at least some of them:

• growth hormone (somatotropin) - as the name implies, determines the growth, as well as the proportions of a person;


• thyroxine - affects the energy exchange of the body, mood, controls the work of the gallbladder, liver, kidneys;


• glucocorticoids - regulate the metabolism of minerals and metabolism;


• testosterone - is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men and his sexual desire;


• acetylcholine - affects concentration;


• vasopressin - regulates the water-salt balance, and is also a hormone of "feeling one's own attractiveness";


• happiness hormone (serotonin) - the production of a hormone improves mood, reduces stress, brings a feeling of pleasure, and more. others

It must be said that the body is a complex system in which all processes are interconnected. So the definition of what hormones affect is rarely limited to any one function. For example, the male hormone testosterone simultaneously increases libido, improves memory, maintains bone strength, slows down the aging process, and much more.

The human body is very complex. In addition to the main organs in the body, there are other equally important elements of the entire system. Hormones are one of these important elements. Since very often this or that disease is associated precisely with an increased or, conversely, underestimated level of hormones in the body.

Let's figure out what hormones are, how they work, what their chemical composition is, what are the main types of hormones, what effect they have on the body, what consequences can occur if they do not function properly, and how to get rid of pathologies that have arisen due to hormonal imbalance.

What are hormones

Human hormones are biologically active substances. What it is? These are chemicals that the human body contains, which have a very high activity with a small content. Where are they produced? They are formed and function inside the cells of the endocrine glands. These include:

• pituitary;
• hypothalamus;
• epiphysis;
• thyroid;
• parathyroid gland;
• thymus gland - thymus;
• pancreas;
• adrenal glands;
• sexual glands.

Some organs can also take part in the production of the hormone, such as: kidneys, liver, placenta in pregnant women, gastrointestinal tract and others. The hypothalamus, a small outgrowth of the main brain, coordinates the functioning of hormones (photo below).

Hormones are carried through the blood and regulate certain metabolic processes and the work of certain organs and systems. All hormones are special substances created by the cells of the body to affect other cells in the body.

The definition of "hormone" was used for the first time by W. Bayliss and E. Starling in their works in 1902 in England.

Causes and signs of hormone deficiency

Sometimes, due to the occurrence of various negative reasons, the stable and uninterrupted work of hormones can be disturbed. These unfortunate reasons include:

• transformations within a person due to age;
• diseases and infections;
• emotional interruptions;
• climate change;
• unfavorable environmental situation.

The male body is more stable in hormonal terms, unlike females. Their hormonal background can periodically change both under the influence of the general causes listed above, and under the influence of processes that are unique to the female sex: menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and other factors.

The following signs indicate that a hormone imbalance has arisen in the body:

• weakness;
• convulsions;
• headache and ringing in the ears;
• sweating.

In this way, hormones in body a person is an important component and an integral part of his functioning. The consequences of hormonal imbalance are disappointing, and treatment is long and expensive.

The role of hormones in human life

All hormones are undoubtedly very important for the normal functioning of the human body. They affect many processes occurring inside the human individual. These substances are inside people from the moment of birth until death.

Due to their presence, all people on earth have their own, different from others, growth and weight indicators. These substances affect the emotional component of the human individual. Also, over a long period, they control the natural order of increase and decrease of cells in human bodies. They coordinate the formation of immunity, stimulating it or suppressing it. They also put pressure on the order of metabolic processes.

With their help, the human body is easier to cope with physical exertion and any stressful moments. So, for example, thanks to adrenaline, a person in a difficult and dangerous situation feels a surge of strength.

Also, hormones to a large extent affect the body of a pregnant woman. Thus, with the help of hormones, the body prepares for successful delivery and care of the newborn, in particular, the establishment of lactation.

The very moment of conception and in general the entire function of reproduction also depends on the action of hormones. With an adequate content of these substances in the blood, sexual desire appears, and with a low and missing to the required minimum, libido decreases.

Classification and types of hormones in the table

The table shows the internal classification of hormones.

The following table contains the main types of hormones.

The main properties of hormones

Whatever the classification of hormones and their functions, they all have common features. The main properties of hormones:

• biological activity despite low concentration;
• action distance. If the hormone is formed in some cells, then this does not mean at all that it regulates these particular cells;
• limited action. Each hormone plays its strictly assigned role.

The mechanism of action of hormones

Types of hormones have an impact on the mechanism of their action. But in general, this action lies in the fact that hormones, being transported through the blood, reach the cells that are targets, penetrate them and transmit a carrier signal from the body. In the cell at this moment there are changes associated with the received signal. Each specific hormone has its own specific cells located in the organs and tissues to which they aspire.

Some types of hormones attach to receptors that are contained inside the cell, in most cases, in the cytoplasm. These species include those that have lipophilic properties of hormones and hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Due to their lipid solubility, they easily and quickly penetrate into the cell to the cytoplasm and interact with receptors. But in water, they are difficult to dissolve, and therefore they have to attach to carrier proteins to move through the blood.

Other hormones can dissolve in water, so there is no need for them to attach to carrier proteins.

These substances affect cells and bodies at the moment of connection with neurons located inside the cell nucleus, as well as in the cytoplasm and on the plane of the membrane.

For their work, an intermediary link is needed, which provides a response from the cell. They are presented:

• cyclic adenosine monophosphate;
• inositol triphosphate;
• calcium ions.

That is why the lack of calcium in the body has an adverse effect on the hormones in the human body.

After the hormone has transmitted a signal, it breaks down. It can split in the following places:

• in the cell to which he moved;
• in blood;
• in the liver.

Or it can be excreted from the body with urine.

The chemical composition of hormones

According to the constituent elements of chemistry, four main groups of hormones can be distinguished. Among them:

1. steroids (cortisol, aldosterone and others);
2. consisting of proteins (insulin and others);
3. formed from amino acid compounds (adrenaline and others);
4. peptide (glucagon, thyrocalcitonin).

Steroids, at the same time, can be distinguished into hormones by sex and adrenal hormones. And the sexes are classified into: estrogen - female and androgens - male. Estrogen contains 18 carbon atoms in one molecule. As an example, consider estradiol, which has the following chemical formula: C18H24O2. Based on the molecular structure, the main features can be distinguished:

• in the molecular content, the presence of two hydroxyl groups is noted;
• according to the chemical structure, estradiol can be determined both to the group of alcohols and to the group of phenols.

Androgens are distinguished by their specific structure due to the presence in their composition of such a hydrocarbon molecule as androstane. The variety of androgens is represented by the following types: testosterone, androstenedione and others.

Name given to chemistry testosterone - seventeen-hydroxy-four-androsten-trione, a dihydrotestosterone - seventeen-hydroxyandrostane-trione.

According to the composition of testosterone, it can be concluded that this hormone is an unsaturated ketoalcohol, and dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione are obviously products of its hydrogenation.

From the name of androstenediol, information follows that it can be classified as a group of polyhydric alcohols. Also from the name you can draw a conclusion about the degree of its saturation.

Being a sex-determining hormone, progesterone and its derivatives, in the same way as estrogens, is a female-specific hormone and belongs to the C21 steroids.

Studying the structure of the progesterone molecule, it becomes clear that this hormone belongs to the group of ketones and there are as many as two carbonyl groups in its molecule. In addition to the hormones responsible for the development of sexual characteristics, steroids include the following hormones: cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone.

If we compare the formula structures of the types presented above, then we can conclude that they are very similar. The similarity lies in the composition of the nucleus, which contains 4 carbo-cycles: 3 with six atoms and 1 with five.

The next group of hormones are amino acid derivatives. Their composition includes: thyroxine, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Peptide hormones are more complex than others in their composition. One such hormone is vasopressin.

Vasopressin is a hormone formed in the pituitary gland, the value of the relative molecular weight of which is equal to one thousand eighty-four. In addition, in its structure it contains nine amino acid residues.

Glucagon, located in the pancreas, is also one of the types of peptide hormones. Its relative mass exceeds the relative mass of vasopressin by more than two times. It is 3485 units due to the fact that in its structure there are 29 amino acid residues.

Glucagon contains twenty-eight groups of peptides.

The structure of glucagon in all vertebrates is almost the same. Due to this, various preparations containing this hormone are created medically from the pancreas of animals. Artificial synthesis of this hormone in laboratory conditions is also possible.

A greater content of amino acid elements include protein hormones. In them, amino acid units are connected into one or more chains. For example, the insulin molecule consists of two polypeptide chains, which include 51 amino acid units. The chains themselves are connected by disulfide bridges. Human insulin has a relative molecular weight of five thousand eight hundred and seven units. This hormone has homeopathic significance for the development of genetic engineering. That is why it is produced artificially in the laboratory or transformed from the body of animals. For these purposes, it was necessary to determine the chemical structure of insulin.

Somatotropin is also a type of protein hormone. Its relative molecular weight is twenty one thousand five hundred units. A peptide chain consists of one hundred and ninety-one amino acid elements and two bridges. To date, the chemical structure of this hormone in the human body, bull and sheep has been determined.

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The development and functioning of the reproductive system of the female body is provided by female hormones, so it is important to know the appropriate level of each of them in order to prevent imbalance. The psychological state, appearance, ability to conceive and bear a child depends on the amount of hormones produced. If there is a feeling of discomfort in any of these areas, it is worth taking tests to check the level of hormonal levels.

What are hormones

A generalized description of the concept of "hormones" is reduced to highlighting their main quality - the impact on other cells. These are biologically active substances produced by the body, which, entering the bloodstream, affect the functioning of physiological systems. Thanks to these substances, each individual species of living beings has its own distinctive features in the method of reproduction and external sexual difference.

Human sex hormones determine the formation of the physique and internal genital organs according to the female or male type. Synthesized by the gonads, these substances act on the receptors of target cells, which ensures the reproductive ability of a person. Any deviation from the norm in their quantity or quality affects both women's and men's health.

female sex hormones

Endocrinology distinguishes two main hormones that play an essential role for the female body. The first is estrogen, which is represented by three types: estrone, estradiol, estriol. Being synthesized in the ovaries, it affects not only the reproductive system, but also the functioning of other systems. The second is progesterone, the production of which occurs after the release of the egg from the follicle and the formation of the corpus luteum. These hormones in girls act only together, having the opposite effect on the body, which achieves the integrity of the system.

In addition to the main ones, there are other female hormones that are no less important for the life of the body. They are relegated to a secondary role only because they are included in the work at certain stages of life. For example, prolactin causes milk production during the lactation period, oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during pregnancy, and luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the menstrual cycle.

Where are produced

The main organs of the endocrine system, which are responsible for the fact that sex hormones in women are produced in the required amount, are the ovaries and the pituitary gland. Information about the producing glands is presented in the table:

Norm of sex hormones

The first symptoms indicating dysfunction of any system are a signal that hormonal tests for women should be taken. The diagnostic results are handed out and contain information about how many hormones are in a woman's body. In order to understand whether the indicators indicated in the transcript are normal, it is worth knowing the norms of sex hormones. The table provides data on the maximum limits of the allowable quantity (in established units of measurement):

The effect of hormones on the body of a woman

Every woman, albeit unconsciously, feels the effects of hormones on herself. It manifests itself in the constant variability of character, changes in appearance, changes in well-being. Hormones for women are able to influence the processes occurring in the body, and the most significant among them are:

• The acquisition of feminine proportions of the figure during the puberty of a girl occurs due to a sharp release of estrogen.
• Hot flashes of tenderness in a woman are evidence of a signal entering the brain about preparation for the synthesis of luteinizing hormones, since the body is ready for fertilization.
• Increased appetite after ovulation is a consequence of a sharp release of estrogen due to the fact that the chemicals continue their work in preparation for bearing a child, regardless of whether conception has occurred or not.
• The period of pregnancy is characterized by a sharp increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone, then oxytocin and prolactin are connected to them.
• The onset of menopause and menopause in adulthood - there is a decrease in estrogen levels.

Which hormones are responsible for what?

The female body is a well-coordinated work of interconnected processes. Each participant in this system performs certain functions and each has its own area of ​​responsibility. Information about this is given in the table:

Excess hormones

A deviation in the amount of chemicals in one direction or another may indicate the presence of a pathology, their excessive production leads to the appearance of such diseases:

• hyperandrogenism - increased production of testosterone, leading to masculinity, problems with conception;
• thyrotoxicosis - an excess of thyroxin, which is characterized by a violation of thermoregulation and, as a result, the possibility of complications in the form of thyroiditis;
• hyperprolactinemia - an increase in the production of prolactin, with a violation of the menstrual cycle;
• hyperestrogenia - an excess of estrogen, which causes obesity, metabolic disorders.

Lack of hormones

Reduced production of hormones in women poses a threat of miscarriage during pregnancy, the inability to bear a fetus, and the inability to fertilize. In addition, there are a number of diseases caused by a lack of certain substances, among them the most common are:

• hypothyroidism - lack of thyroxine and triiodothyronine;
• diabetes mellitus - poor insulin production;
• depression - low levels of oxytocin.

Hormonal tests for women

The level of hormones is determined by donating venous blood. Diagnosis is carried out in the laboratory and takes from 2 to 5 days. For analysis to determine the quantitative composition of each type of chemical substances, it is necessary to fulfill certain conditions associated with the phase of the menstrual cycle. You can get acquainted with the instructions and rules for testing for female hormones at the diagnostic center.

How to increase female hormones

If the test results showed a lack of biologically active substances, there are several options for how to increase the level of female hormones. Ways to increase hormonal levels include:

1. Hormone replacement therapy - treatment with synthetic substitutes.
2. Eating foods containing phytoestrogens.
3. Folk remedies.

Hormones in pills

Drugs prescribed by a doctor must be taken exactly as recommended. Female sex hormones in tablets are: combined and progestin. Combined are designed both to prevent pregnancy and to accelerate its onset. Progestin prevent the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in menopause.

In the human body there are a number of endocrine glands. They are responsible for the production of special chemical activators called hormones. They control and regulate many processes. What exactly hormones affect is described below.

What do hormones affect?

There are several main functions that hormones have:

1. Influence on the mental, physical and sexual development of a person.
2. Adaptation of the organism to various conditions. For example, a person's reaction to a change in temperature or climate, stress, and so on.
3. Influence on the internal state of the body - homeostasis.
4. Hormones are special substances that enhance the connection between organs and tissues.

Since they have such functions and have a serious effect on the body, it is important to ensure that they are normal. After all, an imbalance of hormones can cause serious changes, pathologies and diseases.

How hormones affect the body

There are a huge number of hormones in the human body. Each of them has a certain effect on the body:

• Somatotropin - is responsible for the proportions of a person. With its deficiency, as a rule, excess weight is observed, which diets and sports cannot help to lose. If it is present in excess, then severe thinness can occur. In addition, this hormone affects growth. It is especially important to monitor its balance during puberty. You can read about what else affects a person’s growth in our article.
• Thyroxine is a hormone that affects the body's energy metabolism, a person's mood, the functioning of the liver, kidneys and gallbladder. With its lack, lethargy and chronic fatigue are usually observed. Too much of it can lead to kidney or gallstones.
• Testosterone - is responsible for the sexual desire in men and the development of their secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, it has an effect on bone strength, improves memory, and slows down the aging process in the body. It is very important that the level of this hormone is normal. Otherwise, impotence may appear in men, and in women, its excess leads to excessive hair growth on the body and face, and skin problems.
• Serotonin is responsible for mood. It is also called the hormone of happiness. When it is in excess, then a person’s efficiency immediately increases, he becomes very mobile and has an optimistic attitude. The lack of this hormone leads to depression.
• Glucocorticoids - responsible for the metabolism of minerals and substances. They allow a person to maintain an excellent shape and well-being. With a lack of these hormones, excess body weight and problems with immunity are observed.
• Acetylcholine - has a strong effect on concentration. When it is normal or in excess, the person becomes more assiduous, so he can do the job much faster. The lack of this hormone causes absent-mindedness and lethargy, impairs memory.

How male hormones affect women

Women also have male hormones. They have a serious effect on the body, especially during pregnancy. It is male hormones that are primarily responsible for the maturation of the egg, its attachment to the wall of the uterus and the development of the fetus itself. With a lack of male hormones in the body, women can experience serious problems with conception. But this can only be detected on certain days of menstruation.

An excessive amount of male hormones in women leads to hyperandrogenism - a pathology that can provoke obesity, acne, oncology, and thyroid problems. Also, with their elevated levels, problems with the menstrual cycle can be observed. There are frequent cases of diseases associated with the nervous system, and the onset of early menopause, caused by an excess of male hormones.

Special preparations will help to regulate the level of hormones in the body. They are prescribed exclusively by a doctor after a thorough examination and a series of tests. It is important to take them strictly according to the instructions and within the time specified by the specialist.

Normal hormonal levels depend on the balance of hormones in the body. The glands that produce various hormones make up the endocrine system, which plays a huge role in regulating the weight of each person. The work of the whole organism depends on the activity of hormones, including the processes of losing weight and gaining weight, metabolic rate, appetite, the formation of fat mass, and even the emergence of a sudden desire to eat something delicious. But how can hormones affect a person's weight? To answer this question, you need to know not only what this or that hormone is responsible for, but also how a change in its level affects weight.

Hormones and Weight: Leptin

Translated from the Greek "leptos" - means slender. This hormone is mainly responsible for the feeling of satiety and our appetite, it sends information to the brain about whether the body has enough fat reserves. Therefore, in the event of a decrease in leptin levels, the brain immediately sends a signal to the human body that the fat supply should be replenished. And we, therefore, really want to have a bite to eat urgently.

The conclusion suggests itself - by increasing the level of this hormone, you can "convince" the body of satiety and permanently solve the problem of obesity. However, overweight people also have ten times higher levels of leptin than thin people. Perhaps this is due to the fact that in the body of a full person, sensitivity to leptin is lost, due to which it begins to be produced by the body in increased sizes. As weight starts to drop, leptin levels drop as well.

A decrease in leptin levels is also due to constant lack of sleep. Therefore, usually those whose night sleep is less than 7 hours are prone to obesity. In order for the level of this gotmon in the body to be balanced, it is recommended to eat seafood and fish.

Hormones and Weight: Estrogen

This hormone is female, as it is produced by the ovaries. It performs many functions related to the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the distribution of body fat.

Estrogen is the main reason that fat deposits in young women are usually located in the lower part of the figure, and in men and women after menopause - above the belt, in the abdomen. It is believed that weight gain is associated precisely with the lack of this hormone in the body.

A decrease in estrogen levels in the body - naturally, it usually occurs about ten years before the onset of menopause. This often manifests itself in an increase in love for sweets. The level of estrogen decreases, and the body begins to receive it from fat cells, which it has to store more and more. At the same time, there is a loss of testosterone in the female body, which is manifested in a sharp decrease in muscle mass. Due to the fact that it is the muscles that are responsible for burning fat, the less they become, the more fat is deposited. Therefore, after 40 years it becomes much more difficult to get rid of excess weight.

In order for the body to produce these hormones in sufficient quantities, it needs a mineral such as boron, the amount of which when taken with food is not enough. This means that with a deficiency of estrogen and testosterone, an additional intake of boron is indicated.

A dangerous decrease in these hormones also occurs during stress. And you can maintain muscle mass with the help of strength exercises.

Hormones and Weight: Cortisol

In another way, this hormone is also called the "stress hormone", it is considered a close relative of adrenaline, as it is also produced by the adrenal glands.

In fact, this corticosteroid hormone is part of the human body's defense mechanism, as it is produced involuntarily at times of stress.

The effect of cortisol on the body is not clear. Being an anti-stress mechanism, it launches some protective processes, and suspends others. Therefore, in many stressful situations, appetite increases, thus, the body accumulates strength to withstand a difficult life situation. At the same time, thanks to cortisol, the rate of the metabolic process is reduced, for the same purpose - to conserve energy, which will be required to combat stress.

A person cannot influence the production of this hormone, therefore, with a tendency to “seize” stress, one should try to avoid its sources. In addition, any methods of relaxation are useful (dancing, yoga, meditation, etc.).

Hormones and weight: adrenaline

This cortisol-related hormone also affects metabolism, only in a different way. This is due to the fact that cortisol is the body's response to stress, and adrenaline is a strong emotional arousal. So when skydiving for the first time, a person experiences mostly fear, which means that the body produces cortisol. An experienced skydiver at the time of the jump has an adrenaline rush associated with emotional arousal.

Adrenaline also works in a different way, it speeds up the metabolism, contributing to the breakdown of fats. Adrenaline increases body temperature, which is associated with the burning of fats. In addition, usually with the release of adrenaline, appetite decreases. But the greater the weight of a person, the lower his body's ability to produce adrenaline.

Hormones and Weight: Insulin

Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is responsible for regulating the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Under the action of this hormone, excess sugar is converted into body fat. Disruption in the body's production of insulin leads to diabetes. Simply put, this happens as a result of too intense activity of the pancreas associated with excessive intake of starch and sugar into the human body. This means that you do not need to abuse white products so as not to gain extra pounds and not load the pancreas.

Minerals such as vanadium and chromium, as well as vitamin B3 (niacin), improve the functioning of the pancreas. The additional intake of these substances as part of vitamin-mineral complexes contributes both to the prevention and treatment of disorders associated with the work of the pancreas.

Hormones and Weight: Thyroid Hormones

The short names for these similar hormones produced by the thyroid gland are T1, T2, T3, T4.

If these hormones are not produced enough, then the function of the thyroid gland decreases, which leads to a set of extra pounds. Increased production of these hormones (hyperthyroidism) also leads to disorders.

For the balanced functioning of the thyroid gland, iodine is needed, which enters the body with food in the form of iodized salt, as well as as part of vitamin-mineral complexes and iodine-containing supplements. Iodine is also useful in combination with selenium.

Those with low thyroid function should avoid peanuts and soy products from their diet. It is important to know that stress negatively affects the balance of thyroid hormones.

Hormones and Weight: Ghrelin

This hormone is produced by the stomach and sends hunger signals to the brain. The production of ghrelin provokes increased calorie intake. The stimulator of this hormone production is fructose, which is especially abundant in corn syrup, fruit juices, and carbonated drinks. Thus, regular consumption of foods rich in fructose leads to an increase in hunger and, as a result, overeating.

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that overweight people and those who are not helped by diets are recommended to have a blood test for hormone levels. And in case of detecting a deficiency of any of the hormones, it is enough to change the diet and lifestyle, as well as start taking vitamin-mineral complexes as prescribed by the doctor.