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What Are Natural Female Hormones?
The hormones most commonly referred to as Natural Female hormones, are those female hormones that are primarily produced and involved in the female reproductive system. These “natural” hormones play crucial roles in the development and functioning of female sexual characteristics, menstrual cycles, and fertility.
The terms Natural and Bio-identical Female Hormones are generally used interchangeably. The only difference is that bio-identical hormones can be made in a lab and are exactly identical to natural hormones except that they have been made in a lab.
The Main Natural Female Hormones include:
- Estrogens: Estrogens are the group of female hormones which include estradiol, estrone, and estriol. They are primarily produced by the ovaries, although small amounts may also produced by the woman’s adrenal glands and fat cells. Estrogens are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in females, such as breast growth, widening of hips, and the growth of pubic and underarm hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and play a role in maintaining bone density.
- Progesterone: Progesterone is produced by the ovaries, specifically the corpus luteum, after ovulation. It prepares the uterus for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining and maintaining its receptivity for implantation of a fertilized egg. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone continues to be produced to support the developing embryo and maintain the pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels decrease, leading to menstruation.
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. In females, FSH plays a key role in the development and maturation of ovarian follicles, which contain the eggs. FSH stimulates the follicles to produce estrogen and promotes their growth.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): LH, also produced by the pituitary gland, works together with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle. In the middle of the menstrual cycle, a surge in LH triggers ovulation, the release of a mature egg from the ovary. After ovulation, the remnants of the ovarian follicle form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.
All of these hormones interact with each other in a complex feedback system known as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis to regulate the menstrual cycle and maintain female reproductive health. It’s important to note that hormone levels and interactions can vary throughout a woman’s life, depending on factors such as age, pregnancy, and menopause.
At Advanced Wellness Medical we use estrogen (particularly Estradiol) and progesterone as the Natural or Bio-identical female hormones for HRT.
Article by Dr. Allen Lawrence, M.D.
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