Sexual hormones in humans and animals determine secondary sexual characteristics. They are responsible for all changes in the body: they control the processes of puberty, the production of eggs and sperm, pregnancy, the birth of a new organism, breastfeeding and so on.
Genital secretion
The internal secretion of the gonads is due to the production of sex hormones (both female and male), which are released into the blood. In their functionality, they significantly differ from each other, although they are developed according to one biochemical mechanism.
The secretion of the sex glands in different sexes is characterized by a different number of produced estrogens and androgens. This explains the difference in their secondary sexual characteristics. For the production of hormones, the female and male sex glands are largely responsible. Hormones affect puberty in adolescents.
Puberty in girls
In girls aged 10-12 years, the pituitary gland begins to produce luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) hormones. They stimulate the production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries - the so-called sex hormones in girls. Their production in the body explains the beginning of the bodily changes of the girl's body. Secondary sexual characteristics include:
- growth of mammary glands;
- extension of the hips;
- the appearance of hair in the armpits and pubic hair;
- production of ovules by the ovaries;
- the beginning of menstruation.
Puberty in boys
In boys aged 12-15, luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) also begin to be produced. Together they produce male hormones of the gonads, mainly testosterone. This hormone is produced in the testicles and causes the development of secondary sexual characteristics of young men. These include:
- change of voice timbre;
- hair growth on the face and body;
- genitalia development;
- sperm production;
- muscle development.
Gonadal function
The functions of the sex gland significantly affect many acute and chronic somatic diseases. They are determined by the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. To understand their functionality, consider the hormones that are produced by the body of men and women, and the problems that arise as a result of their violation.
What hormones are produced by the genitals in women?
In women, the gonads, adrenal cortex and placenta are responsible for the production of sex hormones. Female gonadal hormones include:
- androgens;
- estrogens;
- gestagens;
- follicle-stimulating hormone;
- luteinizing hormone.
The effect of hormones on the female body
The balanced composition of these substances has a beneficial effect on the body and normalizes metabolism, the psycho-emotional state of women, the proper functioning of the organs of the genital area, strengthens the immune system, affects fertility and much more. Their ratio directly affects female sexuality. Sexual hormones estrogen and progesterone usually regulate sexuality in women. The period of the menstrual cycle is often associated with an increase in desire in the weaker sex, which occurs as a result of a surge in hormones.
Sex hormones and their functions in the body are of great importance for the activity of the whole organism as a whole. Estrogens are important for the normal functioning of the childbearing function of the body. In addition, the right amount of this hormone contributes to the formation of the figure, character, condition of the skin and hair. Progesterone is also produced in the adrenal glands (a small part of it) and in the ovaries, and during a progressive pregnancy the corpus luteum is responsible for its production, and then the placenta. This hormone is called a hormone of pregnancy in medicine, since its duties include preparing the uterus for implantation of the fetus, stimulating its growth. If progesterone is below normal, then a woman has an increased risk of miscarriage.
The pituitary gland is responsible for the production of LH and FSH (luteonizing and follicle-stimulating hormones). FSH stimulates the growth and proper functioning of the follicles, and LH affects the work of the ovaries and produces estrogens. Prolactin is a pituitary hormone. Its main task is to stimulate the development and growth of breasts in girls, as well as to ensure lactation in women who have given birth. If an increase in prolactin is noted in the blood, then it suppresses the production of follicle-stimulating hormone, due to which there is a natural inhibition of follicular maturation and the absence of ovulation in a woman during breastfeeding. Also, prolactin acts as an important element in the normalization of the water-salt balance.
Disruption of the hormonal background of women
Hormones produced by the sex glands do not always remain within the normal range. A decrease in estrogen levels may be a sign of a woman's lack of ovulation, infertility, and during pregnancy may indicate a pathology. Its increased content is characteristic of a developing tumor of the gonads or adrenal glands. People prone to fullness also have an increased amount of estrogen.
Reduced levels of progesterone in the blood can cause miscarriage in women, placental abruption, fetal freezing. Women who have problems with progesterone often can not get pregnant, they may have tumors and other genital pathologies, a cycle disorder and other health problems, including infertility.
Hormones of the sex gland can be a kind of indicator of various human diseases. An increase in luteonizing hormone in the blood indicates a pituitary tumor, polycystic inclusions in the ovaries, their depletion, and so on. However, often an elevated level of this hormone can be associated with a stressful situation, starvation, and exhausting sports.
An increase in follicle-stimulating hormone is observed in patients with impaired pituitary function and ovarian failure. In addition, its level often rises in people who abuse alcohol, as well as after an X-ray examination of the patient. During menopause, an increased amount is normal. An increase in FSH often causes uterine bleeding, and a decrease entails the absence of menstruation, observed with polycystic ovaries and obesity.
During pregnancy and lactation, an increased amount of prolactin in the blood is a normal condition, in other cases it is a sign of pathological disorders. High prolactin indicates impaired pituitary, thyroid, ovarian, and autoimmune diseases.
What hormones are produced by the genitals in men?
Male and female sex glands produce almost the same groups of hormones, with some exceptions. Male hormones include:
- androgens;
- testosterone;
- follicle-stimulating hormone;
- luteinizing hormone;
- SHBG.
The effect of hormones on the male body
Follicle-stimulating hormone in men is also produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates the function of the sex glands, increases the production of testosterone, and promotes sperm maturation. Luteinizing hormone is also produced by the pituitary gland and acts as a regulator of the production of testosterone in men by Leydig cells, and also participates in the production of proteins that bind the sex hormones and increases the permeability of the testes. Testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and gonads, it affects the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men, is involved in the production of sperm, affects potency and libido. Testosterone is important for the man’s body: it affects the development of the skeleton and muscles, improves the emotional state, normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands.
Prolactin, produced by the pituitary gland, is involved in the regulation of water-salt balance and delays the excretion of fluid by the kidneys, and also stimulates the proper maturation of spermatozoa. Estradiol refers to the female hormones that are produced by men. The reason for this is an increased amount of subcutaneous fat in humans, in which the male hormones testosterones are converted to female estradiols. SHBG - the binding globulin hormone or glycoprotein is involved in the transport of sex hormones and is produced in the liver.
Disruption of the hormonal background of men
Male sex hormones and their functions determine the normal functioning of the body. Violation of the hormonal background in men can provoke many diseases.
A high level of FSH indicates a violation of the function of the sex gland, renal failure, and a brain tumor. One of the reasons for high follicle-stimulating hormone is alcoholism. A low level of FSH indicates a decrease in the function of the pituitary or hypothalamus, and is also observed in obesity. In some cases, hormone imbalance can be triggered by completely harmless factors, for example, it increases after passing an x-ray or taking certain medications.
Similar violations cause a change in the level of luteinizing hormone. But in addition to pathological changes in the body, a banal stressful situation, anorexia nervosa, overweight or smoking can become the cause of violations. An increase in the amount of testosterone in the blood is a sign of hyperplasia of the tissues of the adrenal glands, tumors, and its decrease is characteristic of renal failure, excess weight, and disorders of the sex glands.
High or low prolactin in men gives the doctor reason to suspect pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction in the patient, renal failure, cirrhosis, thyroid disorder, autoimmune diseases and other diseases. In addition, stress, vitamin deficiency, chest injuries, and the use of certain medications can cause hormone levels to increase.
A change in the amount of estradiol can be associated both with taking medications, smoking, starvation, and with the onset of various diseases, such as cirrhosis, testicular tumor, prostatitis, hyperprolactinemia and others. By the way, sometimes in men, the hormone of pregnancy (human chorionic gonadotropin) can be detected in the blood, which indicates testicular oncology.
What you need to know about the sex hormone binding globulin?
The binding globulin hormone is called glycoprotein. It binds to androgens and estrogens. Other steroid hormones such as progesterone, cortisone and other corticosteroids bind to transcortin. PGSG has the following functions:
- The optimal position of sex hormones, including a healthy balance of testosterone and estradiol, is the main component of any anti-aging strategy.
- The hormone is an important regulator of testosterone and estrogen, is responsible for the distribution of sex hormones throughout the body.
- Violation of the sex hormone binding globulin is associated with premature aging of both sexes and some fatal diseases, including cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes, metabolic sleep apnea and osteoporosis.
Male hormones in women
It may surprise someone, but women need male hormones. In small quantities, they bring benefits to the body, the main thing is that their number be within the limits established by the norms. For example, the production of testosterone in women contributes to their sexuality and sexual desire, it has a beneficial effect on the sebaceous glands, development and function of the brain. If testosterone in the blood is contained in a small amount, a woman is characterized by increased lethargy, weakness, we can say, turns into a "gray mouse." The increased hormone content, on the contrary, increases aggression, makes the figure more masculine, and also provokes skin problems. Increased testosterone in women can also indicate health problems: impaired functioning of the adrenal glands, ovaries, pituitary gland or hypothalamus. A decrease in hormone levels is caused by renal failure, weight problems.
Androgen imbalance also causes disturbances in the body. A woman suffers from increased hairiness on her legs, arms, chest, face, acne. An increased content of androgens can lead to female infertility, miscarriages.
How to pass a test for hormones?
To check the level of hormones in the body, you should take blood from a vein for analysis. In order for the results to be more accurate, you can’t eat before taking the test, at least 8-10 hours should pass from the last meal. For a day, you should give up smoking, alcohol, sex and excessive physical exertion. Ignoring these rules can lead to a significant distortion of the results.
Women should notify the health worker taking the blood for analysis about the bottom of the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as some of the hormones should be taken only on certain days, otherwise this fact may also affect the quality of the result. If it will be necessary to repeat the analysis after treatment, then both tests should be taken in the same laboratory.