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/Oestrogen
  • Hormones
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • 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

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

HormonesWhat is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

DotS the definition of PCOS may vary. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) the JH’s definition is:

“PCOS is a hormone imbalance that affects about one in 10 women. This condition is associated with increased levels of two hormones in the body – insulin and androgens (male-type hormones) – that cause symptoms such as absent or irregular periods, excessive facial and body hair, pimples, weight gain and challenges with fertility”.11

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. ACOG Explains: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  3. About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  4. Aging Changes In Hormone Production
  5. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  6. HormonesAskpcos.org [Ask PCOS]
  7. BMS Statement on Testosterone
  8. BMS TV: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  9. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  10. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  11. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  12. Brain Hormones
  13. Centre for Research Excellence In Women’s Health In Reproductive Life (CRE WHiRL)
  14. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  16. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  17. Do You Need Hormone Testing?
  18. Endocrine Diseases
  19. Endocrine Library
  20. Endocrine Society [United States]
  21. Endocrine Society [United States]: Patient Engagement
    Hormones
  22. Endocrine Topics
  23. Endocrine-Related Organs [+ The Essential Guide To Your Hormones]
  24. Estrogen
  25. Estrogen: What It Does and 5 Benefits
  26. Exploring PCOS Throughout the Body
  27. Find An Endocrinologist
  28. First Symptoms of Menopause
  29. Feel-Good Hormones: How They Affect Your Mind, Mood and Body
  30. Glossary
  31. Health-Related Quality of Life In Women With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Scoping Review of the Literature and Implications for Targeted Interventions
  32. Healthyhormones.au [Healthy Hormones, Australia]
  33. Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
  34. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  35. Hormones
  36. Hormones Are Key In Brain Health Differences Between Men and Women
  37. Hormones and Endocrine Function
  38. How To Talk To Your Doctor About PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
  39. Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Genetic?
  40. Knowledge & News on Women: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Blog
  41. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s] [Other Languages and Formats]
  42. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  43. Let’s Talk About PCOS
  44. Let’s Talk About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  45. Mayo Clinic Minute: Endometrial Cancer Associated With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [+ Video]
  46. Menopause
  47. Menopause
  48. Menopause
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormones
  50. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Hormones
  51. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  52. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  53. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  54. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  55. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  56. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  57. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  58. Multilingual Resources
  59. Myth-Busting: Truths About PCOS
  60. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  61. PCOS Awareness Association [United States]
  62. PCOS Guideline
  63. PCOS and Healthy Eating
  64. Pcosawarenessmonth.org [PCOS Awareness Month, United States [September 1-30, 2024]
    Hormones
  65. Perimenopause
  66. Perimenopause
  67. HormonesPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
  68. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  69. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  70. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  71. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  72. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  73. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  74. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  75. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Emotions
  76. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes
  77. Promoting Shared Decision-Making In PCOS Management
  78. Q&A: Understanding the Unique Health Care Needs of Midlife Women With PCOS
  79. Reproductive Hormones [+ What Does Estrogen Do?]
  80. Society for Endocrinology [United States]
  81. Testosterone Replacement In Menopause
  82. The Chemical Question: Does Focusing on Hormones Undermine Mental Healthcare?
  83. The Effects of Estrogen on the Risk of Developing Dementia: A Cohort Study Using the UK Biobank Data
  84. Video Resource: Menopause and Health Living – What Is Early Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  85. Video Resource: Menopause and Health Living – What Is Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  86. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  87. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Long-Term Health Implications of PCOS
  88. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  89. Webinars: Previous – Genetic Causes of POI
  90. Webinars: Previous – Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause
  91. Webinars: Previous – Reproductive Conditions and Consequences for Menopausal Health and Management
  92. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  93. What Are Hormones and What Do They Do?
  94. What Causes Menopause?
  95. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  96. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause
  97. What Is PCOS?
  98. What’s the Connection Between Estrogen and Osteoporosis?
  99. 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: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  2. Glossary. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/glossary Accessed: 01 September 2024
  3. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  4. What Causes Menopause? Last Updated: 06 August 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  5. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  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: 01 September 2024
  7. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Oestrogen. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  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: 01 September 2024
  9. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Progesterone. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  10. What Is Menopause? Hormones and Menopause: Testosterone. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 September 2024
  11. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos Accessed: 01 September 2024
Topic Last Updated: 01 October 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 September 2024

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