Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Hormones DoFemale and Male HormonesAbnormal FunctionChanging HormonesHormone Replacement TherapyWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Hormones Do
Female and Male Hormones
Abnormal Function
Changing Hormones
Hormone Replacement Therapy
When to See a Provider
Hormones are typically described as chemical messengers that communicate important information to your body’s cells and regulating key functions like growth, reproduction, mood, and metabolism.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
What Hormones Do in Everyone’s Body
Effects on Organs and Different Parts of the Body
The following are a few of the body’s key hormones and their role in various bodily functions:
Function in Females and Males
In women, estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, andluteinizing hormonelevels affect sexual development, fertility, and sexual function, as well as the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Relaxin prepares the body for pregnancy and, later, for childbirth. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) is released during pregnancy, while prolactin affects breast development and milk production when nursing.Anti-Müllerian hormoneaffects fetal development and egg supply.
Men and women have some of the same sex hormones but in different amounts. For example, women have testosterone, and men have estrogen and progesterone but just at much lower levels than the opposite sex.
Abnormal Function and Associated Conditions
Hormonal imbalances—such as excessively high or low hormone levels—and problems with the way your body responds to certain hormones may be a sign of an endocrine disorder. Symptoms of these conditions vary widely, from a low libido and appetite changes to fatigue, unwanted weight gain or loss, irregular periods, heart rate abnormalities, and more.
Some common disorders associated with hormonal imbalances and dysfunction include:
Hormones and Mental HealthBecause hormones are so intricately connected to your mood, they can play a role in various aspects of your mental health. For example, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle contribute to the mood swings often associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Research has revealed that these hormonal changes may be related to the higher incidence of depression in young women.Research suggests that higher levels of cortisol are linked to an increased risk of anxiety.
Hormones and Mental Health
Because hormones are so intricately connected to your mood, they can play a role in various aspects of your mental health. For example, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle contribute to the mood swings often associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Research has revealed that these hormonal changes may be related to the higher incidence of depression in young women.Research suggests that higher levels of cortisol are linked to an increased risk of anxiety.
How Hormones Change Over Time
Our hormone levels change quite a bit as we grow and age. During childhood, hormones—including thyroid hormones,human growth hormone(HGH), and insulin-like growth factor 1—play a major role in healthy growth and development. If children don’t produce enough of these hormones, their growth may slow down.
During the reproductive years, sex hormones, as well as luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, affect sexual function and fertility. People with hormonal imbalances may see changes in their libido or have difficulty conceiving.
The aging process affects many hormone levels as well. Menopause in women leads to shifts inestrogenand progesterone, for example, whiletestosteronelevels gradually decrease as men get older. Meanwhile, older adults often experience shifts in insulin,aldosterone, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone levels, among others.
Function in Hormonal Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy(HRT) involves taking synthetic hormones to replace natural ones and keep them in balance. Women experiencing symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and reduced libido, due to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels may be prescribed both hormones to offer some relief.
Outside of menopause, there are many other conditions that may be treated with hormone therapy. Testosterone supplements may be prescribed to men with abnormally low testosterone levels.Gender-affirming hormone therapy is sometimes used to treat transgender people experiencing gender dysphoria.
When to Check With a Healthcare Provider
If you have symptoms you cannot explain, such as a change in your appetite, weight, mood, energy levels, or sexual function, or you’re having trouble conceiving, they could be due to a hormonal imbalance.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms for a further assessment. In addition to asking you about your current symptoms and medical history, they may refer you to anendocrinologistwho can get more insight into your endocrine function through a comprehensive hormone panel. Hormone levels can be measured through urine, saliva, or serum (blood) tests.
Summary
The endocrine system is made up of many hormone-releasing glands that affect your body’s essential functions, from energy and fertility to mood, growth, and blood sugar regulation. Producing too much or too little of a given hormone could indicate that you have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, or Addison’s disease.
If you think you could have a hormonal imbalance, talk to an endocrinologist or another healthcare provider. They can assess your hormone levels and recommend any treatment you may need, such as hormone replacement therapy.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hormones.National Cancer Institute.Endocrine glands & their hormones.National Cancer Institute.Characteristics of hormones.National Cancer Institute.Homeostasis.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Endocrine Society.Brain hormones.Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Endocrine Society.Thyroid and parathyroid hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. Last updated: September 2018.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Kundakovic M, Rocks D.Sex hormone fluctuation and increased female risk for depression and anxiety disorders: From clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2022;66:101010. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101010Chan II, Wu AMS.Assessing the role of cortisol in anxiety, major depression, and neuroticism: A Mendelian randomization study usingSERPINA6/SERPINA1variants.Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2024;4(3):100294. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294Aref Y, Fat SC, Ray E.Recent insights into the role of hormones during development and their functional regulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1340432. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1340432MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Aging changes in hormone production.National Health Service.About hormone replacement therapy (HRT).MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Testosterone. Last updated: February 28, 2024.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Gender dysphoria.
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hormones.National Cancer Institute.Endocrine glands & their hormones.National Cancer Institute.Characteristics of hormones.National Cancer Institute.Homeostasis.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Endocrine Society.Brain hormones.Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Endocrine Society.Thyroid and parathyroid hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. Last updated: September 2018.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Kundakovic M, Rocks D.Sex hormone fluctuation and increased female risk for depression and anxiety disorders: From clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2022;66:101010. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101010Chan II, Wu AMS.Assessing the role of cortisol in anxiety, major depression, and neuroticism: A Mendelian randomization study usingSERPINA6/SERPINA1variants.Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2024;4(3):100294. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294Aref Y, Fat SC, Ray E.Recent insights into the role of hormones during development and their functional regulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1340432. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1340432MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Aging changes in hormone production.National Health Service.About hormone replacement therapy (HRT).MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Testosterone. Last updated: February 28, 2024.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Gender dysphoria.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Hormones.National Cancer Institute.Endocrine glands & their hormones.National Cancer Institute.Characteristics of hormones.National Cancer Institute.Homeostasis.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Endocrine Society.Brain hormones.Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Endocrine Society.Thyroid and parathyroid hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. Last updated: September 2018.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Kundakovic M, Rocks D.Sex hormone fluctuation and increased female risk for depression and anxiety disorders: From clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2022;66:101010. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101010Chan II, Wu AMS.Assessing the role of cortisol in anxiety, major depression, and neuroticism: A Mendelian randomization study usingSERPINA6/SERPINA1variants.Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2024;4(3):100294. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294Aref Y, Fat SC, Ray E.Recent insights into the role of hormones during development and their functional regulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1340432. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1340432MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Aging changes in hormone production.National Health Service.About hormone replacement therapy (HRT).MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Testosterone. Last updated: February 28, 2024.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Gender dysphoria.
MedlinePlus.Hormones.
National Cancer Institute.Endocrine glands & their hormones.
National Cancer Institute.Characteristics of hormones.
National Cancer Institute.Homeostasis.
Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.
Endocrine Society.Brain hormones.
Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.
Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.
Endocrine Society.Thyroid and parathyroid hormones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. Last updated: September 2018.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Diabetes.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Kundakovic M, Rocks D.Sex hormone fluctuation and increased female risk for depression and anxiety disorders: From clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2022;66:101010. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101010
Chan II, Wu AMS.Assessing the role of cortisol in anxiety, major depression, and neuroticism: A Mendelian randomization study usingSERPINA6/SERPINA1variants.Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2024;4(3):100294. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294
Aref Y, Fat SC, Ray E.Recent insights into the role of hormones during development and their functional regulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1340432. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1340432
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Aging changes in hormone production.
National Health Service.About hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Testosterone. Last updated: February 28, 2024.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Gender dysphoria.
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