Sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, androgens

Women’s dominant sex hormones serve to lubricate, nourish and build our bodies. While there are many different sex hormones in the body, the most important ones are estrogen & progesterone. If your hormones are not in balance, you will not feel at your best so it is a step into the right direction for you to learn more about those.

1) Estrogen

Estrogen regulates menstruation, builds the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy, and keeps women lubricated, from joints to vagina.

Low estrogen

Symptoms include:

• Irregular periods,
• Vaginal dryness,
• Painful intercourse,
• Hot flashes and night sweets,
• Bladder infections,
• Dry skin,
• Lethargy and depression, and
• Signs of premature aging, such as memory problems.

High Estrogen

Symptoms include:

• Puffiness and bloating,
• Water retention,
• Rapid weight gain,
• Breast tenderness,
• Heavy bleeding,
• Mood swings (causing anxiety, depression, and weepiness),
• Sleep problems,
• Migraine,
• A flushed face,
• Reduced libido,
• Foggy thinking, and
• High levels of copper in the bloodstream.

In the long term, women with too much estrogen may develop conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids – associated with the stimulatory effects of estrogen – gall bladder problems, poor blood-sugar control, and an underactive thyroid.

2) Progesterone

Progesterone counterbalances estrogen by helping regulate uterine lining, emotions and sleep.

Low Progesterone

Symptoms include:

• Painful or lumpy breasts,
• Headaches that are linked to your menstrual cycle,
• Anxiety and irritability,
• Sleeping problems,
• Unexplained weight gain,
• PMS (premenstrual syndrome),
• Bleeding between periods, and
• Reduced libido.

3) Androgens

Androgens are male hormones present in the blood. Ovarian overproduction of androgens is a condition in which the female ovaries make too much testosterone.

High Androgens

Symptoms include:

• Acne,
• Ovarian cysts – which are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS,
• Excess body hair,
• Instable blood-sugar levels,
• Thinning hair on the head,
• Mid-cycle pain, and
• Erratic menstruation.

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