What are the Main Female Sex Hormones?

Introduction

Female needs not just her own female hormones, but also male hormones in adequate amounts for proper functioning and well-being. The ovaries produce both female and male hormones. The main female hormones are estrogen and progesterone and the main male hormones are testosterone and androstenedione. Let’s review these hormones and their functions for female body functioning in more details.

Estrogen

Estrogen refers to a group of female "sex" hormones, produced primarily in the ovaries, and to a lesser extent in the body's fat cells. It is important for adolescent sexual development and for regulating the menstrual cycle. Estrogen prepares the uterus for receiving the fertilized egg by stimulating the uterine lining to grow. During days 10 - 14 in a woman's cycle, the uterus is mainly under the influence of estrogen, which begins to climb right before ovulation, which is usually between days seven to fourteen, peaking at ovulation in preparation for a fertilized egg. Estrogen also improves skin tone and reduces vaginal dryness. There are three main types of estrogen that a woman makes: Estradiol (E2), which accounts for 80% of her estrogen, Estriol (E1), and Estrone (E3), each accounting for 10% of the remaining estrogen.

Estradiol is the main source of estrogen for women up until the time of the menopause, and is produced by the ovaries.  From puberty to around the age of 30, the levels of estradiol reach their highest (average blood levels of 450 to 550 pmol/l). After around the age of 30 years the production of estradiol gradually lessens. A few years before the menopause, estradiol blood levels are around 200–300 pmol/l. After the menopause, however, levels of estradiol fall to around 80 pmol/l.

The other source of estrogen (estrone) comes from the adrenal glands, which sit on the top of each kidney. These glands produce a male hormone called androstenedione, which is converted in the fatty tissue to an estrogen  called estrone. The average level of estrone after the menopause is around 100 pmol/l. Since the conversion of androstenedione takes place in the fatty tissue, women with greater amounts of fatty tissue produce higher levels of estrone.

Each individual hormone follows its own pattern, rising and falling at different points in the cycle, but together they produce a predictable chain of events. One egg (out of several hundred thousand in each ovary) becomes 'ripe' (mature) and is released from the ovary to begin its journey down the Fallopian tube and into the womb. If that egg isn't fertilized, the levels of estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovary begin to fall. Without the supporting action of these hormones, the lining of the womb, which is full of blood, is shed, resulting in a period.

The main functions of estrogen are to:

• Help regulate menstruation.
• Help in growth and development of female organs.
• Help prepare the body for fertilization.
• Stimulate the lining of the womb so that it thickens.
• Maintain lubrication of the vagina.
• Help maintain the acid level in the vagina, thereby protecting against infections.
• Work in conjunction with progesterone to help with the breakdown of the endometrium (lining of the womb) in the second stage of the menstrual cycle.
• Maintain a supply of calcium to the bones.
• Help maintain the health of blood vessel walls.
• Reduce the blood cholesterol level.
• Bring about the development of secondary sex characteristics, i.e. the breasts and nipples.
• Influence body shape at puberty, resulting in women having broader hips and narrower shoulders than men, and a tendency to deposit fat on the hips and thighs.
• Increase elasticity of the skin, promoting performance of hormone collagen.
• Influence the growth of body hair, so that women have less body hair and more scalp hair than men.
• Stop the growth of the arm and leg bones, resulting in women being generally shorter than men.

Progesterone

Progesterone is another female "sex" hormone, produced in the ovaries, that prepares the uterus for a fertilized. Its sudden withdrawal causes the uterus to shed its lining if pregnancy does not occur. While estrogen is high (during days 1-10 of the menstrual cycle), progesterone is at its lowest level. Its levels climb to a peak between days 14 - 24, and then dramatically drop off again just before the start of menstruation. Ideally, women should have five to ten times more progesterone than estrogen in the blood and 40 to 150 times in the saliva. The lower the ratio of progesterone to estrogen, the higher the risk of health problems. Progesterone has the unique ability to change its structural form to become other hormones, allowing it to be converted and utilized by the body to the point of depletion.

The main functions of progesterone are to:

• Help prepare the body for fertilization and maintain pregnancy. Progesterone during pregnancy and prolactin during lactation promote nest building.
• Work in conjunction with estrogen, to help with the breakdown of the endometrium (lining of the womb) in the second stage of the menstrual cycle.
• Help regulate menstruation.
• Change the mucus produced by the glands in the cervix so that it becomes thick and acidic, thus protecting a potential pregnancy from infection.
• Aid development of the glands in the breast.
• Increase water and salt retention, which may lead to painful breasts and weight gain.
• Improve the immune system.
• Have a relaxant effect on some of the muscles in the body (i.e. stomach, uterus, and fallopian tubes).
• Increase production of sebum, leading to more oily skin and spots.
• Increase the body temperature.

In addition, progesterone may have an impact on mood, leading to an increased irritability. Hence, women often report experiencing changes in mood prior to having a period when the levels of progesterone are at their highest.

Testosterone and androstenedione

Both female and male sex hormones are produced by men and women, but at different levels. Up until the menopause, women have about one-tenth of the amount of male sex hormones that are found in men.

Both testosterone and androstenedione are produced in the ovary, and after the menopause, these hormones go on being produced for a few years. In addition, androstenedione is produced by the adrenal glands (on top of each kidney). The amount of androstenedione produced by the adrenal glands is unchanged after the menopause, although after the menopause it is converted to a form of estrogen (estrone) in the fatty tissue.

The role of male hormones in women is not fully understood, although they have been shown to:

• Increase libido.
• Stimulate the growth of pubic, facial and underarm hair.
• Possibly enhance mood.
• Increase the density of specific bones (for example, the hip bone).

As can be seen from the above lists, both male and female hormones have a number of functions within the body. Although levels of these hormones change around the time of the menopause, this does not happen suddenly. Ovarian changes occur from around the age of 35 until around the age of 55 to 60 years.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/1X/04708447/047084471X.pdf

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womenshealth/features/hormone.htm

http://www.worldhealth.net/pages/the_female_sex_hormones_extrogen_and_pro/

http://www.sabresciences.com/sexHormones.htm

http://m.healthcaremagic.com/articles/Female-sex-hormones/7405

Home Self-Test Kits for Menopause - Overview

There are many developed clinical tests and examinations that may help in determining menopause. Most of these tests involve drawing a little blood from your veins and arteries. You could feel slight pain and discomfort as a result. In some cases, it could cause excessive bleeding. Infection is possible. Sometimes, though rarely, you could experience dizziness or could lose consciousness for some time. But, doctors take all necessary precautions before undertaking any of these tests.

Before going to the doctor in order to perform clinical tests, you may start from the readily available home self-test kits, which may be not so accurate and scientifically conclusive as tests in the frames of the medical institution, but they may offer you pretty good initial insight on your medical condition as well.

Types of Self-Tests Available

A number of self-tests are now being marketed to individual consumers. Most of these tests are inexpensive and easy to perform, and many offer surprisingly accurate results. The FDA has also approved many "at home" menopause test kits. It is important to keep in mind that menopause tests analyze different hormones in your body. Although each of these hormones plays an important role in your reproductive system, you should get a menopause test that you feel will provide you with the results you are most interested in. It is also suggested that tests are repeated on a regular basis in order to ensure the most accurate results possible.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone Tests (FSH Tests)

FSH levels and menopause are related. FSH tests measure levels of a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone that is present in your body. FSH is responsible for stimulating ovulation during your monthly cycle. FSH rises each month in order to encourage egg follicles to be released from the ovaries and travel through the fallopian tubes for fertilization. As FSH rises, levels of estrogen will drop. Once the egg has been released, your body recognizes the need to either prepare for pregnancy or produce a period, causing estrogen levels to rise and FSH levels to drop.

FSH tests can tell you if your FSH levels are particularly high. A high level of FSH may indicate that your body is trying to stimulate ovulation but isn't getting anywhere with it. This is generally one of the initial signs of menopause. Normal FSH levels are typically between 5 and 25 mlU/mL. An FSH test that tells you that your FSH levels are higher than 25 mlU/mL may indicate that you are entering perimenopause, the initial stage of menopause. If your FSH levels are higher than 50 mlU/mL, then you are in menopause.

Taking the Test

FSH self-tests are available as both urine and saliva tests and can be purchased online or at your pharmacy. Urine tests consist of a stick that you place in your urine stream and allow to process until it produces a result. Chemicals in the test device react with FSH and produce a color. Read the instructions with the test you buy to learn exactly what to look for in this test. Saliva tests involve you taking a sample of your saliva and sending it to a lab where it can be processed. Results are then mailed back to you.

Urine FSH tests are FDA approved and typically about 90% accurate. Saliva tests are not as accurate, and tend to be influenced by environmental stressors, including cigarette smoke, certain foods, hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives. However, saliva tests can give you an excellent idea of whether or not you should pursue further menopause testing.

Both of these tests should be performed on particular dates of you cycle. It is important to read the directions on the test carefully. If you are no longer menstruating, you can perform the test at any time. A follow-up test should be performed 5 to 7 days after the first test. It is also helpful to conduct a baseline test before your body begins to be menopausal; a test around age 35 should be helpful in establishing your "normal" FSH levels.

Progesterone and Estradiol Tests

These tests measure levels of individual sex hormones in your body. Both progesterone and estradiol, a type of estrogen, play important roles in triggering reproductive functions. Low progesterone or estrogen levels may indicate the beginning of menopause.

These tests are typically saliva tests, though your doctor can also perform them using a blood sample. Hormone tests are available for order online at relatively low cost. Saliva tests may not be as accurate as a blood test, because they can only measure the amount of unbound or "free" estrogen or progesterone in the body. Your body also stores estrogen and progesterone by binding them to certain receptors, but only blood tests can measure levels of these bound hormones.

Like the FSH saliva test, this test is sent in to a laboratory and then results are mailed back to you. Normal estrogen levels usually measure between 30 and 400. Estrogen levels lower than 30 could indicate the onset of menopause.

Things to Remember

When taking a self-test for menopause it is important to remember that the results are merely an indication that you might be entering into a stage of menopause. The tests themselves cannot correctly determine if you are actually in menopause they merely measure levels of certain hormones. An abnormal hormone level may indicate menopause or it could be a symptom of another complication. All tests should be repeated on a fairly consistent basis, because hormone levels do fluctuate.

Do not use menopause tests as a form of birth control. Even if you test positive, you could still be ovulating and can still get pregnant. You should also discuss the results of your test with your health care provider. She may be able to use these test results along with evidence of any signs of menopause in order to make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate menopause treatment.

Some home menopause tests are identical to the one your doctor uses. However, doctors would not use this test by itself. Your doctor would use your medical history, physical exam, and other laboratory tests to get a more thorough assessment of your condition. Note that FSH test may produce highly variable results during the time when periods are irregular just before periods cease permanently. For example, a woman might skip 3 periods, and then have periods for a few months, and then skip several periods again. During this time of irregular periods the FSH level can fluctuate tremendously. Therefore, no matter what the received results are, you should visit your doctor to confirm your menopausal stage and to get observed in case of the extreme appearance of menopausal symptoms.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.jacobeducation.com/MH/HM/Meno/How-Is-the-Menopause-Diagnosed.html

http://www.epigee.org/menopause/self_testing.html

http://www.solveyourproblem.com/menopause/home-menopause-test.shtml

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/home-menopause-testing-kits

http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/fshtests.aspx