Hormones play a vital role in a woman’s body. Knowing what they are and what they do can help you better understand your body.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the body. Their job is to act as messengers to trigger reactions and regulate bodily processes. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland Hormones

Located within the brain, the hypothalamus is responsible for producing a number of hormones. Some work directly on the body, while others stimulate the pituitary gland located directly below it, causing it to release other hormones that do important work in the body. Some key hormones released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland include:

• Growth hormone: Stimulates the growth of long bones and muscles
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH): Work together to control ovulation and the menstrual cycle

Thyroid Hormones

Your thyroid is a gland positioned in the front of the neck. It releases hormones when activated by thyroid-stimulating hormone that comes from the pituitary gland. Thyroid hormones include:

• Thyroxine (T4)
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)
• Calcitonin

Together, these hormones help control metabolism, the process of turning the food you eat into energy.

Adrenal Hormones

The adrenal glands are found at the top of the kidneys. They release the following hormones:

• Cortisol: Helps your body use nutrients from food, fights inflammation, raises blood sugar levels when needed and aids in sleep and the body's natural stress response
• Aldosterone: Involved in regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline: Work together to trigger the body's fight-or-flight response during times of stress

Pancreatic Hormones

Glands located within the pancreas also produce hormones, including:

• Insulin: Lowers blood sugar levels when they become elevated
• Glucagon: Raises blood sugar levels when they become too low

Kidney Hormones

In addition to removing waste from blood and producing urine, the kidneys manufacture hormones, such as:

• Calcitriol: Aids in the absorption of calcium from food
• Erythropoietin: Assists with the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body

Other Hormones

Some other vital hormones include:

• Ghrelin: Made by the stomach, this hormone sends signals to your brain that lead to feelings of hunger
• Somatostatin: Produced in the nervous and digestive systems, this hormone stops the release of other hormones to regulate the endocrine system
• Angiotensin: Assists in blood pressure regulation

Reproductive Hormones

The following are key reproductive hormones produced by the ovaries:

• Estrogen: Helps regulate the menstrual cycle and plays a role in bone health and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
• Progesterone: Helps regulate the menstrual cycle and aids in blood pressure control, sleep and mood balance
• Testosterone: Contributes to libido and gets converted to a form of estrogen by the body

What Happens to Hormone Levels During Menopause?

During menopause, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone at a slower rate, and levels of these hormones remain low after menopause. It’s primarily the drop in hormone levels that causes menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, hair loss and urinary incontinence.

What Can Cause Hormonal Imbalances?

Many things can lead to hormonal imbalances, which occur when levels of certain hormones are too high or too low for a prolonged period of time. Some things that can directly cause or contribute to hormone imbalances in women include:

• Stress
• Some medications
• Tumors and noncancerous growths in and around glands
• Excessive blood loss
• Bacterial and viral infections that damage glands
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Radiation therapy for cancer treatment
• Diabetes
• Grave's disease, a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland
• Thyroid disease
• Obesity

What Is Hormone Therapy?

You may sometimes hear women who are going through menopause or are post-menopausal say that they're “taking hormones.” Usually, this refers to hormone therapy, a medical treatment for menopausal symptoms. It's available in a variety of forms, including:

• Creams
• Nasal spray
• Patches
• Pills
• Vaginal rings
• Vaginal tablets

Which form is right for each woman depends on her symptoms and her personal preferences. Typically, health care providers prescribe pills for things like hot flashes and mood and creams, vaginal rings and vaginal tablets to address vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence.

There are a number of potential benefits to hormone therapy, including:

• Relief from menopause symptoms
• Improvements in bone and tooth health
• Mental health benefits
• Lower risk of certain medical conditions like colon cancer and diabetes

For all its benefits, hormone therapy does pose some risks. They include:

• Side effects like breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding and mood swings
• Potential for the formation of  blood clots and an increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of breast cancer, though typically only with long-term use
• Greater risk for endometrial cancer, gallstones and gallbladder disease

Talk to Your Health Care Provider

If you have concerns about hormone changes due to menopause or a medical condition, talk to your health care provider. They can run tests as needed and help you weigh your treatment options. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss hormones. Residents of ViewPointe senior living community in Colorado Springs, CO, can arrange for transportation to and from the appointment as part of our services and amenities.