Hormones are the chemical substances which are at the center of controlling all the functions of the body and which especially have a strong effect on the female organism. Hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are examples of hormonal balance that is critical for pregnancy, mental health and more.
Reproductive Health
Some of the most significant hormones include estrogen and progesterone, which play critical roles in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the stage in a woman’s life when she is in menopause. Estrogen maintain the menstrual cycle, development of sexual characteristics in female and helps to prepare the uterus for the implantation of the fertilized egg. Progesterone on the other hand helps maintain the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg and supports early part of pregnancy.
Menstrual Cycle
Menstrual cycle remains another factor that is regulated by hormones. The follicular phase characterized by the hormone estrogen enables the preparation of the body for ovulation. This switches to the luteal phase where progesterone dominates prepares the uterus for pregnancy if the egg was fertilized. An imbalance in these hormones causes complication such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, among other related complications.
Pregnancy
Hormones production also goes up during pregnancy to cater for fetal growth and development. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) sustains secretion of progesterone important in sustaining the pregnancy. Their levels still rise and this helps in pushing the changes that happen on the body of a woman that is pregnant.
Menopause
Actually, a woman’s menopause is when she stops being able to reproduce, resulting from a great decrease in the concentration of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift results in to the symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and osteoporosis. These symptoms are commonly treated using Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Mood and Mental Health
The mental wellbeing is also affected by hormones in the body. This is always evident during PMS and menopause when a female’s estrogen and progesterone are on the low or high peaks, this alters neurotransmitter activity leading to mood swings, anxiety, and even depression.
Conclusion
Perhaps the most important reason why it is vital to understand hormones in women is that numerous stages of women’s life may be associated with certain conditions. If you have normal weight, you should have medical check-ups frequently and lead a healthy lifestyle implied in consuming the mentioned foods.
