Many people think of sex hormones as mainly involved in libido and reproduction, but their role extends far beyond these functions. While they are essential for sexual health and fertility, sex hormones also play a significant part in a wide range of bodily functions. This article provides an overview of the sex hormone system, the causes of hormone imbalances, and steps you can take to support balanced hormone levels.
What is the Sex Hormone System?
The sex hormone system is composed of hormones such as pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones act as chemical messengers, transmitting signals and binding to receptors in various cells and tissues throughout the body. They are primarily produced in specialized glands like the ovaries and testes, with the adrenal glands also playing a role in producing hormones like DHEA and pregnenolone. As we age, the adrenal glands may also produce small amounts of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate critical aspects of development, puberty, reproduction, and maintain bone, brain, and metabolic health.
All sex hormones are steroid hormones, synthesized from cholesterol through a process called steroidogenesis.
Let’s dive into each of the main sex hormones and their key functions:
Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is often referred to as the “mother hormone” because it is the precursor to all other sex hormones. Produced in various parts of the body, including the brain, adrenal glands, and ovaries, pregnenolone helps maintain the balance of steroid hormone production. It is well-known for supporting brain health, memory, and promoting healthy aging.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an androgenic hormone produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and brain. It is vital for energy, strength, and libido. DHEA levels peak in early adulthood but begin to decline with age, often as a result of physical or emotional stress. Maintaining optimal DHEA levels is associated with better blood sugar balance, immune health, and improved brain function, and may even enhance skin health and libido in older women.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a major sex hormone in women and plays a minor role in men. In women, it is primarily produced by the ovaries and adrenals, but it can also be converted from testosterone. Estrogen includes several forms, such as estriol, estradiol, and estrone, each contributing to reproductive function, mood, energy levels, skeletal health, and brain health.
Progesterone
Progesterone is essential for fertility and pregnancy and is synthesized in the ovaries, placenta, adrenal glands, and brain. It helps maintain a healthy menstrual cycle and reduces symptoms like heavy periods and PMS. Outside of reproduction, progesterone supports the body’s stress response, promotes restful sleep, and aids cognitive and cardiovascular health.
Testosterone
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but women also produce it, though in smaller amounts. It plays a role in libido, mood, and body composition for both genders. In women, it is produced from DHEA in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Low testosterone can lead to a decrease in libido, energy, and muscle mass, while excessive testosterone can cause issues like blood sugar imbalance in women.
What Is a Hormone Imbalance?
Hormone imbalances occur when there are too many or too few hormones in the body. Below are common imbalances seen with sex hormones:
Estrogen dominance/progesterone deficiency: Often caused by exposure to environmental toxins, stress, and poor diet, this imbalance can result in symptoms like heavy periods and breast tenderness.
Estrogen dominance/androgen deficiency in men: Estrogen can overpower testosterone and DHEA in men due to factors like poor diet, excess body fat, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Low testosterone in men: Natural aging can reduce testosterone levels in men, causing symptoms like low libido and erectile dysfunction, as well as contributing to cardiovascular disease.
Low estrogen in women: This can occur due to stress, menopause, or dietary factors, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and poor mood.
Low DHEA and pregnenolone: Known as “youth hormones,” both DHEA and pregnenolone decrease with age or stress. Deficiency can lead to sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and poor memory.
4 Tips to Address Hormone Imbalances
Several diet and lifestyle changes can help balance your hormones naturally:
Eat a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet: Focus on healthy fats, adequate protein, and minimal refined carbohydrates to support hormone production.
Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours per night, practicing good sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality and circadian rhythms.
Get sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can stimulate the skin-brain-gonad axis, which increases testosterone synthesis. Aim for 15-20 minutes of sun on your skin each day.
Lift weights: Strength training helps promote testosterone production and insulin sensitivity, improving body composition as you age.
Understanding how your sex hormones work and making small lifestyle changes can go a long way in restoring balance to your hormone system.
What is the Sex Hormone System?
The sex hormone system is composed of hormones such as pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones act as chemical messengers, transmitting signals and binding to receptors in various cells and tissues throughout the body. They are primarily produced in specialized glands like the ovaries and testes, with the adrenal glands also playing a role in producing hormones like DHEA and pregnenolone. As we age, the adrenal glands may also produce small amounts of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate critical aspects of development, puberty, reproduction, and maintain bone, brain, and metabolic health.
All sex hormones are steroid hormones, synthesized from cholesterol through a process called steroidogenesis.
Let’s dive into each of the main sex hormones and their key functions:
Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is often referred to as the “mother hormone” because it is the precursor to all other sex hormones. Produced in various parts of the body, including the brain, adrenal glands, and ovaries, pregnenolone helps maintain the balance of steroid hormone production. It is well-known for supporting brain health, memory, and promoting healthy aging.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an androgenic hormone produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and brain. It is vital for energy, strength, and libido. DHEA levels peak in early adulthood but begin to decline with age, often as a result of physical or emotional stress. Maintaining optimal DHEA levels is associated with better blood sugar balance, immune health, and improved brain function, and may even enhance skin health and libido in older women.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a major sex hormone in women and plays a minor role in men. In women, it is primarily produced by the ovaries and adrenals, but it can also be converted from testosterone. Estrogen includes several forms, such as estriol, estradiol, and estrone, each contributing to reproductive function, mood, energy levels, skeletal health, and brain health.
Progesterone
Progesterone is essential for fertility and pregnancy and is synthesized in the ovaries, placenta, adrenal glands, and brain. It helps maintain a healthy menstrual cycle and reduces symptoms like heavy periods and PMS. Outside of reproduction, progesterone supports the body’s stress response, promotes restful sleep, and aids cognitive and cardiovascular health.
Testosterone
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but women also produce it, though in smaller amounts. It plays a role in libido, mood, and body composition for both genders. In women, it is produced from DHEA in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Low testosterone can lead to a decrease in libido, energy, and muscle mass, while excessive testosterone can cause issues like blood sugar imbalance in women.
What Is a Hormone Imbalance?
Hormone imbalances occur when there are too many or too few hormones in the body. Below are common imbalances seen with sex hormones:
Estrogen dominance/progesterone deficiency: Often caused by exposure to environmental toxins, stress, and poor diet, this imbalance can result in symptoms like heavy periods and breast tenderness.
Estrogen dominance/androgen deficiency in men: Estrogen can overpower testosterone and DHEA in men due to factors like poor diet, excess body fat, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Low testosterone in men: Natural aging can reduce testosterone levels in men, causing symptoms like low libido and erectile dysfunction, as well as contributing to cardiovascular disease.
Low estrogen in women: This can occur due to stress, menopause, or dietary factors, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and poor mood.
Low DHEA and pregnenolone: Known as “youth hormones,” both DHEA and pregnenolone decrease with age or stress. Deficiency can lead to sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and poor memory.
4 Tips to Address Hormone Imbalances
Several diet and lifestyle changes can help balance your hormones naturally:
Eat a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet: Focus on healthy fats, adequate protein, and minimal refined carbohydrates to support hormone production.
Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours per night, practicing good sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality and circadian rhythms.
Get sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can stimulate the skin-brain-gonad axis, which increases testosterone synthesis. Aim for 15-20 minutes of sun on your skin each day.
Lift weights: Strength training helps promote testosterone production and insulin sensitivity, improving body composition as you age.
Understanding how your sex hormones work and making small lifestyle changes can go a long way in restoring balance to your hormone system.
Sex Hormones 101!