Sex Steroid Hormones and Their Effects on the Body
ESTROGEN-
Creates proliferative endometrium
Responsible for female secondary sex characteristics
Protects against osteoporosis, heart disease (?), Alzheimer’s disease (?), colon cancer, incontinence, and tooth loss and decay
Increases levels of serotonin and endorphins, as well as other neurotransmittors
Enhances sleep, emotional well-being, mental acuity and focus, memory, attention span, communication ability, sensory function (vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell), digestion, libido, and skin tone
Relieves menopausal symptoms and depression
Increases tolerance to pain
Necessary for fertility
Creates Progesterone receptors
Increases risk of breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers, and autoimmune disorders
Increases salt and fluid retention, body fat, and blood clotting
May reduce cell oxygen levels
Can interfere with thyroid hormone and function
PROGESTERONE-
Maintains secretory endometrium
Necessary to fertility and maintaining pregnancy- allows embryo to survive
Has a calming effect
Enhances mood
Regulates fluid balance, acts as a natural diuretic
Increases energy and libido
Balances blood sugar, thyroid function, and mineral balance (zinc/copper ratio)
Relieves menopausal symptoms
Decrease risk of endometrial cancer and may help protect against breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts, and osteoporosis (stimulates osteoblast bone building)
Restores proper cell oxygen levels
Increases sensitivity of the estrogen receptor
Helps utilize fat for energy
Helps prevent prostate cancer
TESTOSTERONE-
Women make 1/10th the Testosterone of men-ovaries supply 50%, adrenal glands supply 50%- levels slowly decline starting at age 35
Increases energy and libido and orgasmic response
Decreases body fat, builds muscle and promotes muscle tone
Enhances sense of well-being, mood, memory, and structural integrity of the brain
Helps strengthen bone
Increases levator ani support and control of sphincters
Protects against plaque in blood vessels
Promotes higher nitric oxide, a naturally occurring substance that helps keep blood vessels dilated and open
DHEA-
Is the precursor to Estrogens and Testosterone in our bodies
Helps protect against heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
Can increase and enhance energy levels, libido, memory, and immunity
Protects against the effects of stress
Aids weight loss and healing of burns
Helps to prevent wrinkles and dry eyes
CORTISOL-
Helps in responding and coping with stress, trauma, infection, and environmental extremes
