I'm popping over today to let you know about the different hormones that play a role throughout your entire menstrual cycle. If you don't have a perfect period, it's important to understand all the hormones that play a role in your cycle.
12 Hormones In A Woman's Cycle
There are 12 in total so it’s easy to see how complex a woman’s cycle is. If you don't have a perfect period, it's important to understand all the hormones that play a role in your menstrual cycle.
1. Estrone (E1)
Estrone is the most inflammatory estrogen. It has 3 different metabolites and metabolites are what are excreted through the urine. 2 out of the 3 metabolites are more prone to causing breast or endometrial cancer. Obese women tend to have higher levels of estrone produced from fatty tissue.
2. Estradiol (E2)
Estradiol is the most abundant and most potent estrogen. This hormone is primarily made in the ovaries, so when menopause is reached, estradiol is obsolete. Estradiol is responsible for egg maturation, egg releasing, and uterine lining growth.
3. Estriol (E3)
The third primary estrogen, however, estriol is really only elevated in pregnancy. Estriol is produced by the placenta.
4. Progesterone
The QUEEN….but only in its natural state. Synthetic progesterone, or progestin, has been linked to worsening symptoms of mood, and increased risk of breast cancer among others. Your natural progesterone is what rises in the luteal phase and stimulates the endometrial lining to grow to prep for pregnancy. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum (which is made from the mature egg follicle that was released during ovulation).
5. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
SHBG carries our hormones around in our blood, but has a specific affinity to testosterone. SHBG is made in the liver.
6. Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S)
This hormone is produced in our adrenal glands, which sit on top of our kidneys. DHEA-s helps to make other hormones in the body, specifically testosterone.
7. Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, but is also essential for women. It is produced in the ovaries and adrenals. Testosterone is helpful for libido, mood, bone growth, and muscle mass.
8. Free Testosterone (fTest)
Free testosterone isn’t attached to any other molecules. It is what is actively available to your cells.
9. Total Testosterone (tTest)
The total amount of your testosterone, both free and bound.
10. Prolactin
Made by our pituitary gland in our brain is responsible for the production of breast milk.
11. Cortisol
Produced by our adrenal glands, this is our stress hormone.
12. Thyroid
The thyroid is the small butterfly gland that sits above your Adam’s apple and produces two thyroid hormones, t4 (thyroxine) and t3 (triiodothyronine).
Why Understanding Your Hormones Matters
See how easy it is to have hormone imbalances?!
A woman’s menstrual cycle is far more complex than most people realize. These twelve hormones work together in a carefully balanced system that influences not only your cycle, but also your mood, energy levels, metabolism, sleep, fertility, and overall health.
When even one hormone is out of balance, it can affect the entire system. This may show up as irregular cycles, PMS, fatigue, mood changes, weight fluctuations, sleep issues, or difficulty concentrating. Because hormones are interconnected, symptoms that seem unrelated can often trace back to the same underlying imbalance.
Ready to Learn What Your Hormones Are Telling You?
If your cycle doesn’t feel “normal” or you’re experiencing symptoms that are affecting your daily life, it may be time to take a closer look at your hormone health. At Hope Natural Health, we take a root-cause approach to women’s health by evaluating hormone levels, lifestyle factors, nutrition, stress, and other underlying contributors.
If you’re ready to understand your cycle and support your body in a more natural, personalized way, consider scheduling a discovery call with Dr. Erin to begin your health journey.