Hello Ladies!

Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone…..WHAT are the differences of those hormones, causing me so much trouble?

Let’s say that ESTROGEN is the diva of the group. She’s always getting attention and making sure everything is just perfect. She’s the one responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, keeping your skin and hair looking great, and making sure you’re feeling all kinds of emotions. Estrogen is the hormone that best defines femininity: gorgeous curves, romance and drama all rolled into one.

PROGESTERONE is the reliable friend of the group. She’s always there to back up Estrogen and make sure everything runs smoothly. She’s the one who helps you get pregnant, and keeps your uterus healthy. She is easy going, likes surfing and dancing and is totally chilled.

TESTOSTERONE is the wild child of the group. She’s always up for a good time, and likes to keep things exciting. She is smart and witty, loves her motorbike and is a judo champion. She’s the one responsible for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive.

So, to put it simply, Estrogen is the queen bee, Progesterone is the worker bee, and Testosterone is the party animal.

Estrogen affects many organs such as the blood vessels, heart, brain, our joints, breasts, skin and even bones. Estrogen is our fuel that provides our entire body. That’s why we have estrogen receptors throughout the body.

Estrogen is responsible for:

• Monthly periods
• Pregnancy
• Breast growth and body fat distribution
• Bone health
• Emotions and mood
• Heart and blood vessels.
• Growth and function of the uterus lining and ovaries during the first half of our menstrual cycle.
• Vaginal moisture and tissue
• Collagen formation in the skin and in the connective tissue
• Vaginal flora
• Protection against arteriosclerosis
• Brain protection
• Water retention in the body in general – but especially in the breasts, hands and feet

Progesterone balances out the effects of estrogen. For example, mucous membrane build-up in the uterus, water retention or mood swings.

Progesterone plays several key roles in the female body, including:

• Regulating the menstrual cycle
• Maintaining pregnancy
• Activates GABA receptors, docking points in the brain, to relax the nerves.
• Drainage of the body in case of water retention
• Relaxing of the mammary gland
• Preparing the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg in the second half of our menstrual cycle.
• Stimulating the growth of milk-producing glands in the breast during pregnancy
• Helping to regulate the balance of other hormones such as estrogen.
• Helps in maintaining the thickness of endometrial lining.
• It has also a role in modulating mood, sleep, and appetite.
• It helps to prevent overgrowth of the uterus lining which can lead to certain cancers.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that plays a role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males, but it is also present in females, although in lower levels.

The main functions of testosterone in the female body are:

• Regulating bone density and muscle mass
• Maintaining libido (sex drive) and sexual function
• Affecting mood and cognitive function (keeping a clear head)
• Playing a role in the growth and function of the ovaries
• Participating in the regulation of the menstrual cycle
• Helping to regulate the balance of other hormones such as estrogen.
• It is also involved in the growth of hair and the distribution of fat in the body.

I hope I could bring some light into the dark.

Take care!

Tara