THE ESSENTIAL

1 Estrogen
(estrogen)
2 Progesterone
(progesterone)
3 Prolactin
(prolactin)
4 Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin (HCG)
GUIDE TO YOUR The female sex hormone, and one The reason for that week circled in red Moms-to-be are faced with major
(human chorionic gonadotropin)
HORMONES that teenage girls know all too well,
is responsible for setting off puberty.
on your calendar, progesterone is a
crucial player in your menstrual cycle.
changes, including this hormone that
rises during pregnancy. Fun fact: the Congratulations youre pregnant!
What You Need to Know Produced primarily in your ovaries, After ovulation these levels rise to pituitary gland releases prolactin after HCG is the hormone that a pregnancy
estrogen regulates your menstrual prepare your uterus for the implantation childbirth to trigger lactation, which test can detect about two weeks after
cycle, maintains pregnancy and keeps of the embryo. If pregnancy doesnt enables moms to breastfeed. conception.
Hormones play a critical role in our bodies,
bones strong for women and men too! occur, the levels drop again, causing
but what exactly are hormones and why are
Watch out, world. you to get your period.
they important for our health? Well decode
the bodys most important hormones and
explain how changes in hormone levels can
affect your body and your well-being.

5 Testosterone 6 Peptide YY (PYY) 7 Glucagon-Like 8 Thyroid Hormones

(testosterone) (peptide)
Peptide 1 (GLP-1) (thyroid hormones)

TOP 23
Surprisingly, this male sex hormone The original weight loss program, (glucagon like peptide) Two of the primary players that are
plays a big role for women, too. It PYY is produced in the small intestine released by your thyroid are:
contributes to your sex drive, bone and released into your bloodstream Feeling extra satised after lunch? triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

HORMONES
density and muscle strength. But when after you eat to decrease appetite It could be GLP-1, the appetite- These hormones dictate your weight,
levels are too high, it can cause male and make you feel full. regulating hormone produced in determine your energy levels, internal
pattern balding (buzzkill!). the gut after eating. temperature, skin, hair, nail growth,
and more.

There are many different

hormones in the human body.
Here is a look at the leading
hormones, their role and why
theyre important to know about.

9 Insulin
(insulin)
10 Glucagon
(glucagon)
11 Serotonin
(serotonin)
12 Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH)
13 Leptin
(leptin)
As any diabetic knows, insulin couldnt Produced by cells in your pancreas If you have major mood swings, you
(follicle-stimulating hormone) This hormone is your very own
be more important. After you eat, cells in and works to keep your blood sugar can thank this hormone that boosts and personal trainer. It controls appetite
your pancreas release insulin that shuttles levels stable, this hormone breaks stabilizes mood. Dark chocolate converts Couples struggling with infertility know by signaling your brain to stop eating.
glucose from your bloodstream into your down stored glucose so your body a compound called L-tryptophan to the importance of FSH. In women, it helps It also helps your brain regulate
bodys tissues to use for energy later. can use it for energy. serotonin, explaining why eating control the estradiol hormone synthesis, how much energy your body burns
People with type 1 diabetes cant make chocolate makes us feel happier. menstrual cycling and the production throughout the day.
insulin; people with type 2 diabetes cant of eggs by the ovaries. In men, it helps
make enough or make too much and the control the production of sperm.
body does not respond correctly.

14 Luteinizing
Hormone (LH)
15 Melatonin
(melatonin)
16 Oxytocin
(oxytocin)
17 Growth Hormone
(growth hormone)
18 Cortisol
(cortisol)
(luteinizing hormone) Insomniacs may feel too familiar with Cupids arrow is dipped in this stuff. As its name implies, it promotes Stressed out? This hormone is released
this sleep hormone, which regulates Dubbed the love hormone, oxytocin human growth and plays a crucial role during times of stress, increasing heart
Puberty relies on LH and knows no bounds. our sleep and wake cycles. levels rise when we make physical contact in increasing muscle mass and bone rate, blood pressure, blood glucose,
It controls the production of estrogen with another human. Its also the maternal development. Its our own personal respiration and muscle tension in response.
or testosterone from the ovaries or hormone because large amounts of it are Game of Thrones shield, protecting It also temporarily shuts down the bodys
testes and is often measured during an release during childbirth and helps with our tissues from breaking down to systems that arent needed in the face of
infertility workup to evaluate ovulation milk letdown during lactation. avoid injury. crisis, such as digestion and reproduction.
in women or testicular function in men.

19 Adrenaline 20 Dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA) 21 Parathyroid 22 Ghrelin 23 Aldosterone
(adrenaline)
(dehydroepiandrosterone) Hormone (PTH) (ghrelin) (aldosterone)

The ight or ght hormone allows you (parathyroid) Got a rumbling in your tummy? You can Craving pickles? Made by the adrenal
to battle a danger head-on or escape to Responsible for gossipy teenage sleep- thank this hunger hormone made by glands, it regulates blood pressure by
safety. Persistently high levels of adrenaline overs, this hormone from the adrenal Strong bones are key to a long, happy the stomach. It stimulates appetite and increasing salt and water reabsorption
from chronic stress, however, increases gland and ovaries initiates production life, and so is PTH. From the parathyroid prepares the body for food. Researchers in the kidney.
your risk for anxiety, depression, heart of male and female sex hormones, glands, its vital to our bone health believe blocking ghrelin levels may be
disease and weight gain, which is why welcoming fun things like pubic hair, and essential for normal calcium and the key to weight loss.
laughter really may be the best medicine. acne and body odor. phosphorus balance in the body.
HORMONES AND THE HORMONE KEY FACTS
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Hormones play a critical role in our bodys chemistry, carrying
messages between cells and organs.
Hormones are the bodys chemical messengers and are part of the
endocrine system. Endocrine glands make hormones, which travel Hormones affect our bodys functions, from growth and sexual
through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, and control most development and mood to how well we sleep, how we manage
of our bodys major systems. The endocrine system regulates our stress and how our body breaks down food.
heart rate, metabolism how the body gets energy from the foods When they are in proper balance, hormones help the body thrive.
we eat appetite, mood, sexual function, reproduction, growth But sometimes hormone levels are too high or too low. Hormone
and development, sleep cycles, and more. imbalances can occur any time regardless of ones age and cause
serious health problems requiring ongoing medical management.

ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND HORMONES

Endocrine glands are special groups of cells that make hormones.
The major endocrine glands are:

Adrenal Glands produce androgens and cortisol; gives your body odor and pubic
hair, helps in how we respond to stress; regulates blood pressure and more.

Hypothalamus produces hormones that regulate body temperature, appetite

and weight, mood, sex drive, sleep, and thirst.

Ovaries female reproductive glands that produce eggs and sex hormones
including estrogen, testosterone and progesterone which are vital to reproductive
organ development, breast development, bone health, pregnancy, and fertility.

Pancreas produces insulin, glucagon and other hormones but primarily

responsible for controlling blood sugar levels.

Parathyroid controls the amount of calcium in our bones and blood.

Pineal Gland produces melatonin, which is important for sleep cycles.

Pituitary Gland the master control gland makes hormones that control growth,
reproduction, lactation, and the activity of other glands.

Testes male reproductive glands produce sperm and secretes testosterone.

Thymus active until puberty, produces cells crucial to the immune system that
protect the body from threats such as viruses and infections.

Thyroid produces hormones that control the rate at which the body burns
calories and how fast the heart beats.

Vital to our overall health, hormone levels change as we grow and age. Knowing more about the role they play in our bodies can help
you protect and manage your health. Download Journey through the Endocrine System Mobile App.

Visit hormone.org for more information.

Coming Soon!