Estrogen Progesterone Prolactin Human Chorionic THE ESSENTIAL 1 (es·tro·gen) 2 (pro·ges·ter·one) 3 (pro·lac·tin) 4 Gonadotropin (HCG) (hu·man cho·ri·on·ic go·nad·o·tro·pin) GUIDE TO YOUR The female sex hormone, and one The reason for that week circled in red Moms-to-be are faced with major that teenage girls know all too well, on your calendar, progesterone is a changes, including this hormone that HORMONES is responsible for setting off puberty. crucial player in your menstrual cycle. rises during pregnancy. Fun fact: the Congratulations you’re pregnant! What You Need to Know Produced primarily in your ovaries, After ovulation these levels rise to pituitary gland releases prolactin after HCG is the hormone that a pregnancy estrogen regulates your menstrual prepare your uterus for the implantation childbirth to trigger lactation, which test can detect about two weeks after conception. Hormones play a critical role in our bodies, cycle, maintains pregnancy and keeps of the embryo. If pregnancy doesn’t enables moms to breastfeed. but what exactly are hormones and why are bones strong for women and men too! occur, the levels drop again, causing they important for our health? We’ll decode Watch out, world. you to get your period. the body’s most important hormones and explain how changes in hormone levels can affect your body and your well-being.
Testosterone Peptide YY (PYY) Glucagon-Like Thyroid Hormones 5 (tes·tos·ter·one) 6 (pep·tide) 7 Peptide 1 (GLP-1) 8 (thy·roid hor·mones) (glu·ca·gon like pep·tide) Surprisingly, this male sex hormone The original weight loss program, Two of the primary players that are plays a big role for women, too. It PYY is produced in the small intestine released by your thyroid are: contributes to your sex drive, bone and released into your bloodstream Feeling extra satisfi ed after lunch? triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). TOP density and muscle strength. But when after you eat to decrease appetite These hormones dictate your weight, 23 It could be GLP-1, the appetite- levels are too high, it can cause male and make you feel full. regulating hormone produced in determine your energy levels, internal HORMONES pattern balding (buzzkill!). the gut after eating. temperature, skin, hair, nail growth, and more.
There are many different hormones in the human body. Here is a look at the leading hormones, their role and why they’re important to know about.
Insulin Glucagon Serotonin Follicle Stimulating Leptin 9 (in·su·lin) 10 (glu·ca·gon) 11 (ser·o·to·nin) 12 Hormone (FSH) 13 (lep·tin) (fol·li·cle-stim·u·lat·ing hor·mone) As any diabetic knows, insulin couldn’t Produced by cells in your pancreas If you have major mood swings, you This hormone is your very own be more important. After you eat, cells in and works to keep your blood sugar can thank this hormone that boosts and personal trainer. It controls appetite your pancreas release insulin that shuttles levels stable, this hormone breaks stabilizes mood. Dark chocolate converts Couples struggling with infertility know by signaling your brain to stop eating. glucose from your bloodstream into your down stored glucose so your body a compound called L-tryptophan to the importance of FSH. In women, it helps It also helps your brain regulate body’s tissues to use for energy later. can use it for energy. serotonin, explaining why eating control the estradiol hormone synthesis, how much energy your body burns People with type 1 diabetes can’t make chocolate makes us feel happier. menstrual cycling and the production throughout the day. insulin; people with type 2 diabetes can’t of eggs by the ovaries. In men, it helps make enough or make too much and the control the production of sperm. body does not respond correctly.
Luteinizing Melatonin Oxytocin Growth Hormone Cortisol 14 15 (mel·a·to·nin) 16 (ox·y·to·cin) (growth hor·mone) (cor·ti·sol) Hormone (LH) 17 18 (lu·te·in·iz·ing hor·mone) Insomniacs may feel too familiar with Cupid’s arrow is dipped in this stuff. As its name implies, it promotes Stressed out? This hormone is released this sleep hormone, which regulates Dubbed the love hormone, oxytocin human growth and plays a crucial role during times of stress, increasing heart Puberty relies on LH and knows no bounds. our sleep and wake cycles. levels rise when we make physical contact in increasing muscle mass and bone rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, It controls the production of estrogen with another human. It’s also the maternal development. It’s our own personal respiration and muscle tension in response. or testosterone from the ovaries or hormone because large amounts of it are Game of Thrones shield, protecting It also temporarily shuts down the body’s testes and is often measured during an release during childbirth and helps with our tissues from breaking down to systems that aren’t needed in the face of infertility workup to evaluate ovulation milk letdown during lactation. avoid injury. crisis, such as digestion and reproduction. in women or testicular function in men.
Adrenaline Dehydroepiandrosterone Parathyroid Ghrelin Aldosterone 19 (a·dren·al·ine) 20 (DHEA) 21 22 (ghrel·in) 23 (al·dos·te·rone) (de·hy·dro·ep·i·an·dro·ste·rone) Hormone (PTH) The fl ight or fi ght hormone allows you (par·a·thy·roid) Got a rumbling in your tummy? You can Craving pickles? Made by the adrenal to battle a danger head-on or escape to Responsible for gossipy teenage sleep- thank this hunger hormone made by glands, it regulates blood pressure by safety. Persistently high levels of adrenaline overs, this hormone from the adrenal Strong bones are key to a long, happy the stomach. It stimulates appetite and increasing salt and water reabsorption from chronic stress, however, increases gland and ovaries initiates production life, and so is PTH. From the parathyroid prepares the body for food. Researchers in the kidney. your risk for anxiety, depression, heart of male and female sex hormones, glands, it’s vital to our bone health believe blocking ghrelin levels may be disease and weight gain, which is why welcoming fun things like pubic hair, and essential for normal calcium and the key to weight loss. laughter really may be the best medicine. acne and body odor. phosphorus balance in the body. HORMONES AND THE HORMONE KEY FACTS ENDOCRINE SYSTEM • Hormones play a critical role in our body’s chemistry, carrying messages between cells and organs. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and are part of the endocrine system. Endocrine glands make hormones, which travel • Hormones affect our body’s functions, from growth and sexual through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, and control most development and mood to how well we sleep, how we manage of our body’s major systems. The endocrine system regulates our stress and how our body breaks down food. heart rate, metabolism – how the body gets energy from the foods • When they are in proper balance, hormones help the body thrive. we eat – appetite, mood, sexual function, reproduction, growth But sometimes hormone levels are too high or too low. Hormone and development, sleep cycles, and more. imbalances can occur any time regardless of one’s age and cause serious health problems requiring ongoing medical management.
ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND HORMONES Endocrine glands are special groups of cells that make hormones. The major endocrine glands are:
Adrenal Glands – produce androgens and cortisol; gives your body odor and pubic hair, helps in how we respond to stress; regulates blood pressure and more.
Hypothalamus – produces hormones that regulate body temperature, appetite and weight, mood, sex drive, sleep, and thirst.
Ovaries – female reproductive glands that produce eggs and sex hormones – including estrogen, testosterone and progesterone – which are vital to reproductive organ development, breast development, bone health, pregnancy, and fertility.
Pancreas – produces insulin, glucagon and other hormones but primarily responsible for controlling blood sugar levels.
Parathyroid – controls the amount of calcium in our bones and blood.
Pineal Gland – produces melatonin, which is important for sleep cycles.
Pituitary Gland – the “master control gland” makes hormones that control growth, reproduction, lactation, and the activity of other glands.
Testes – male reproductive glands produce sperm and secretes testosterone.
Thymus – active until puberty, produces cells crucial to the immune system that protect the body from threats such as viruses and infections.
Thyroid – produces hormones that control the rate at which the body burns calories and how fast the heart beats.
Vital to our overall health, hormone levels change as we grow and age. Knowing more about the role they play in our bodies can help you protect and manage your health. Download Journey through the Endocrine System Mobile App.
Visit hormone.org for more information.
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