Understanding Sex Hormones
Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone
(a.k.a. Gender Specific Hormones)
There are 3 types of sex hormones (a.k.a gender hormones): Estrogen, Testosterone and Progesterone.
In the womb, genetics determines if a baby is to be effected estrogen – becoming a female; or a male that is effected by testosterone.
The specific characteristics of the dominant sex hormone manifest during puberty – continuing, more or less, through maturity.
The balance between the dominant sex hormone – mediated by progesterone – and the subordinate sex hormone impacts the physical and mental well-being of that person – female or male – throughout their lives.
Estrogen is the dominant female sex hormone – testosterone is subordinate.
Perimenopause is a term sometimes used and means “the time around menopause.” It is often used to refer to the menopausal transitional period. It is not officially a medical term, but is sometimes used to explain certain symptoms of the menopause.
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when the function of the ovaries ceases and she can no longer become pregnant. Menopause is defined as the state of an absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period.
Postmenopausal is a term used as an adjective to refer to the time after menopause has occurred. This refers to women who have already reached menopause.
There are pharmaceutical means and natural supplements to help maintain and promote balanced female hormones. learn more »
Testosterone is the dominant male sex hormone – estrogen is subordinate.
Andropause is a condition that comes about when masculinity declines. It is caused by the reduction of testosterone in middle-aged men.
The word andropause is formed by combining two Greek words – andro meaning male and pause meaning stop.
Unlike females going through menopause, the decline in testosterone in men is gradual with variation among individuals ranging from 1%-2% each year after 28 years of age. At the same time, estrogen levels rise in older men, creating a hormone imbalance.
There are pharmaceutical, holistic supplements and natural remedies to support the special need of a man. Learn more …
Progesterone is a hormone found in men and women.
Everyone needs progesterone for good health and longevity. Women of reproductive age need, and produce the most, but men need progesterone for good health, too.
Progesterone is not a “feminizing” hormone. That reputation belongs to estrogen.
Excess estrogen or estrogen-imitators in the environment – including food additives, certain medications, agricultural chemicals and residue, and air and water-borne pollutants – may cause a variety of sex hormone issues for both men and women.
Progesterone is a natural antagonist to estrogen. Progesterone helps to balance and neutralize the powerful effects of excess estrogen in both men and women. Without sufficient progesterone in the body, estrogen becomes harmful and out of control (unopposed estrogen or estrogen dominance).
The use of natural progesterone was pioneered the 1990’s by an American medical doctor, John R. Lee. Dr. Lee emphasized the use of natural progesterone with its dynamic, holistic properties, and warned doctors to avoid synthetic progesterone look-a-likes or analogs, because they were not as effective and have unwanted side-effects.
Progesterone supplements are often used to treat hormone imbalances. Often, It is the first hormone that men and women consider using to address issues arising from deficiencies or imbalances of gender hormones.
There are topical Progesterone Creams to help maintain and promote Progesterone balance. Learn more …
Hormone and Endocrine System Take Aways
- Diet, lifestyle, hormone feedback control and proper hormone cascading helps produce proper sex hormone balance and supports the body’s ability to function efficiently.
- Precise control over endocrine function and circulating concentrations of sex hormones is crucial.
- Small problems with your sex hormones can cause uncomfortable symptoms and serious, life-altering conditions.
- Adding specific prescription hormone may further disrupt the orderly functions of your hormones.
Reference:
The Endocrine System: read more …
Hormonal Disruptors: read more …
« Back to Hormones – Part 1
Professional Help and Guidance …
 Dr. Frank A. Lucas, PhD, NHC has been helping people, just like you, understand and restore balanced sex hormones for more than 20 years. He uses holistic methods, natural supplements and remedies to help people address the rigors of unbalanced sex hormones.
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