Hormone Levels in Women

When a woman's hormone levels drop or skyrocket, it has a profound effect on her emotions and her physical self. Hormones fluctuate drastically during puberty, before a woman's menstrual period, during pregnancy, after giving birth and again during perimenopause and menopause. When cyclical changes disrupt the levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones, this affects the ability of brain chemicals, such as serotonin, which controls moods, to function properly, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• Women and Their Hormones

Controversial

• The medical community knows that estrogen is critical to a woman's health, although its benefits are mixed when it comes to how it affects the cardiovascular system. Estrogen is considered a controversial hormone. Continued research into its benefits and risks, particularly when it comes to perimenopausal and menopausal woman, must be done so physicians and scientists can glean more information on how it affects a woman's cardiovascular system.

The Good

• The Cleveland Clinic points out that estrogen decreases bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL). Estrogen also absorbs free radicals that can harm body tissues and arteries, and promotes blood clot formation, although it can also prompt changes in the body that have the opposite effect. This hormone dilates blood vessels, which allows the increase of blood flow, and estrogen smooths and relaxes vessels.

  When estrogen levels drop significantly during perimenopause and menopause, physicians believe that females are at a higher risk of developing heart disease because they are no longer protected by natural estrogen. When estrogen declines, bad cholesterol builds up and this can lead to the development of cholesterol and fat in the arteries, which contributes to heart attacks and strokes. As a result, women are regularly prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The Bad

• In 2002, scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute put an end to a study by the Women's Health Initiative, in which women were taking combined estrogen and progestin therapy. It was discovered that hormone replacement therapy upped the risks of a woman acquiring breast cancer, blood clots in the lungs and legs and suffering from a stroke or heart attack. Two years later, the NIH halted the estrogen-only study that was being conducted on women who had undergone hysterectomies. It was discovered that estrogen-only therapy did not reduce a woman's chances of suffering from a heart attack but clearly did increase her risks of blood clots and stroke.

Androgens and Their Role

• Testosterone is a male hormone (androgen) but women have it, too. It is the hormone that kicks the libido into action. If a woman's testosterone levels become too high it can result in male-pattern baldness, acne, the development of facial and body hair, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, a deeper voice, redistribution of body weight and infertility. Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome have high levels of testosterone. Low levels of testosterone can lead to lack of libido or sexual disinterest.

The "Other" Hormone: Progesterone

• Progesterone is another female sex hormone. In fact, it is the dominant hormone from the time a woman ovulates each month until she begins her menstrual period. This hormone plays a vital role in the development of the fetus as well as the entire pregnancy, according to Power-surge.com. If a woman has too little progesterone, she may have problems conceiving. In addition, if her progesterone production is insufficient she may suffer from estrogen dominance or overload, breast tenderness, irritability, bloating, PMS mood swings and crave sweets.

Considerations

• Do not underestimate the power of your hormones. If you think your hormones may be out of kilter, discuss this with your physician. Some women find relief in herbal remedies while some perimenopausal and menopausal women opt for hormone replacement therapy despite the risks. Consider improving your diet and taking a daily vitamin supplement. This may help you get back on track. Exercise is always beneficial.