Hormones

“Hormones are chemicals made in your body
that relay messages through your bloodstream.
For example, your hormones tell your body to eat and…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormones Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Estrogen
  • Hormones
  • Oestrogen
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone
  • Women’s Sex Hormones

Hormones

What are hormones?

DotS the definition of hormones may vary. The (United States) Endocrine Society’s definition is:

“Hormones–Made by endocrine glands, hormones are chemical messengers that travel in the bloodstream to tissues or organs. They affect many processes, including growth, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, and mood”.2

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“Hormones are chemicals made in your body that relay messages through your bloodstream. For example, your hormones tell your body to eat and sleep”.3

Menopause

What causes menopause?

In What Causes Menopause? the JH explain:

“Menopause happens when your reproductive hormones change and there are no eggs left in your ovaries. Menopause can happen at the expected age, prematurely or early”.4

Menopause Hormones

What three hormones are of particular relevance at menopause?

In What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause the JH elaborate on:

“The three main hormones that change as you approach menopause are:

  • Oestrogen
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone.

The change in hormone levels can lead to different menopausal symptoms”.5

Oestrogen

What is the role of oestrogen?

In Changes In Hormone Levels the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:

“As the primary “female” hormone, estrogen promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs and keeps the vagina moisturized, elastic (stretchy), and well supplied with blood”.6

Perimenopause

What is the association between perimenopause and hormones?

The JH explain:

“Your oestrogen production increases and decreases in the lead-up to menopause. As you approach your final period, your number of eggs decreases and oestrogen levels drop by up to 90%”.7

During perimenopause, does oestrogen decline in a nice neat regular fashion, getting less and less each month?

No. The NAMS note:Hormones

“Estrogen levels generally decline during perimenopause, but they do so in an irregular fashion. Sometimes there can be more estrogen present during perimenopause than in the past”.8

Progesterone

What is the role of progesterone?

The JH explain:

“Progesterone is responsible for things like mucus levels in your cervix, acidity levels in your vagina and milk cells in your breasts. It can also make you moody.

Progesterone is produced when an egg is released. It prepares your uterus for a fertilised egg and pregnancy. As you approach your final period, your progesterone levels decrease”.9

Testosterone

What is the role of testosterone?

The JH note:

“Testosterone is produced by your ovaries and other parts of your body.

You might think testosterone is a male hormone but it also plays an important role in women’s sexual desire, emotional wellbeing and bone and muscle strength.

Testosterone decreases gradually with age. In some women, levels fall by half between the ages of 20 and 40 years”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I need help with my hormones?

If you need help with your hormones, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can clarify your signs and symptoms, discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormones?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormones?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. A Guide To Birth Control In Your 40s and 50s
  2. About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  3. Aging Changes In Hormone Production
  4. Are My Hormones Making Me Fat?
  5. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  6. BMS Statement on Testosterone
  7. BMS TV: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  8. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  9. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  10. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  11. Brain Hormones
  12. Centre for Research Excellence In Women’s Health In Reproductive Life (CRE WHiRL)
  13. Consumer Health: Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  14. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  15. Do You Need Hormone Testing?
  16. Endocrine Diseases
  17. Endocrine Library
  18. Endocrine Society [United States]
  19. Endocrine Society [United States]: Patient Engagement
  20. Endocrine Topics
  21. HormonesEndocrine-Related Organs [+ The Essential Guide To Your Hormones]
  22. Estrogen
  23. Estrogen: What It Does and 5 Benefits
  24. Find An Endocrinologist
  25. Feel-Good Hormones: How They Affect Your Mind, Mood and Body
  26. Glossary
  27. Health-Related Quality of Life In Women With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Scoping Review of the Literature and Implications for Targeted Interventions
  28. Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
  29. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  30. Hormones
  31. Hormones Are Key In Brain Health Differences Between Men and Women
  32. Hormones and Endocrine Function
  33. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  34. Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Genetic?
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Postmenopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
  36. Knowledge & News on Women: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Blog
  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  38. Menopause
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormones
  42. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Hormones
  43. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  44. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  45. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  46. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  47. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  48. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  49. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  50. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  51. Multilingual Resources
  52. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  53. PCOS
  54. PCOS Awareness Association
  55. PCOS Awareness Month [September 1-30, 2023]
    Hormones
  56. PCOS Guideline
  57. PCOS and Healthy Eating
  58. PCOS: Emotions
  59. PCOS: Symptoms & Causes
  60. Pcoschallenge.org [PCOS Challenge, The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, United States]
  61. Perimenopause
  62. Perimenopause
  63. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  64. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  65. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  66. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  67. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  68. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  69. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  70. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  71. Reproductive Hormones [+ What Does Estrogen Do?]
  72. Society for Endocrinology [United States]
  73. Testosterone Replacement In Menopause
  74. The Chemical Question: Does Focusing on Hormones Undermine Mental Healthcare?
  75. The Effects of Estrogen on the Risk of Developing Dementia: A Cohort Study Using the UK Biobank Data
  76. The Many Ways Hormones Can Impact Your Health
  77. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  78. Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
  79. Thyroid Hormone: How It Affects Your Heart
  80. Video Series-2023: Premature and Early Menopause
  81. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  82. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Long-Term Health Implications of PCOS
  83. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  84. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  85. Webinars: Previous – Genetic Causes of POI
  86. Webinars: Previous – Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause
  87. Webinars: Previous – Reproductive Conditions and Consequences for Menopausal Health and Management
  88. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  89. What Are Hormones and What Do They Do?
  90. What Causes Menopause?
  91. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  92. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  93. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause
  94. What Is PCOS?
  95. What’s the Connection Between Estrogen and Osteoporosis?
  96. Yourhormones.info [You and Your Hormones: An Educational Resource From the Society of Endocrinology, United States]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  2. Glossary. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/glossary Accessed: 14 December 2023
  3. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  4. What Causes Menopause? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  5. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  6. Changes In Hormone Levels. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-hormone-levels Accessed: 14 December 2023
  7. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Oestrogen. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  8. Changes In Hormone Levels. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-hormone-levels Accessed: 14 December 2023
  9. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Progesterone. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
  10. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Testosterone. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 11 February 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 December 2023

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