Table of contents:
- What are hormones?
- Where do hormones come from?
- Glands and hormones
- 1. The pituitary gland
- 2. Pineal gland
- 3. Pancreas
- 4. Testes
- 5. Ovaries
- What can cause hormonal imbalances?
- How to deal with hormonal imbalances?
There are many components that keep your body working and functioning properly. One of them is hormone. Maybe you have had health problems caused by hormones. Indeed, hormones are important substances in the body that play a role in various things. But what are hormones, really? What does it do in the body?
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemicals in the body, part of the endocrine system that affect most of the major systems and processes in the body, including:
- Digestion of food
- Absorption of nutrients
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Growth and development
- Heart rate, body temperature, sleep cycle, mood, thirst, appetite control, cognitive function and more.
Hormones are substances that move in the bloodstream to tissues and organs. This substance is very influential for bodily functions, just a little change in the amount of hormones will affect a certain body function and even your health in general. Therefore, it is important to balance the amount of hormones in the body.
Where do hormones come from?
Hormones are substances that are produced naturally by endocrine glands. Because endocrine glands have no ducts, hormones are passed directly into the blood vessels, without passing through any channels. Some of the major endocrine glands in the body are:
- The pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
- Thymus gland
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreas
- Testicles
- Ovaries
Glands and hormones
Each of these glands will produce different hormones and affect different organs in the body as well. Here are the types of hormones that are produced based on their respective glands.
1. The pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is the size of a pea and is located in the lower part of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose. This gland is called the "master gland" because it controls several other hormonal glands, including the thyroid and adrenals, ovaries and testes.
The hormones produced by the pituitary gland include:
- Growth hormone (GH) to influence the development and production of body cells
- Prolakti to stimulate the production of milk, affect behavior, reproduction and the immune system
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to regulate egg production in women and sperm production in men
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) to regulate the menstrual cycle, works together with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to produce sperm.
2. Pineal gland
These glands are located near the back of the skull. The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin, which regulates the biological clock and sleep schedule. This hormone will increase when the environment around you darkens and stimulates drowsiness, so you will fall asleep at night.
3. Pancreas
The pancreas produces the hormones insulin, amillin and glucagon which regulate blood glucose levels in the body.
4. Testes
This organ produces male hormones, such as testosterone and other hormones, including estrogen. Testosterone plays a role in sex drive, bone mass formation, plays a role in the production of oil in the skin and makes men have distinctive features, such as growing facial hair and weighing down the voice. This hormone also plays a role in male genital development during fetal development for male babies.
5. Ovaries
The ovaries or ovaries produce estrogen to regulate reproduction. This hormone is also responsible for breast development and increased fat storage in women. The ovaries also produce progesterone - the "pregnancy hormone" that controls the menstrual cycle and the development of pregnancy.
What can cause hormonal imbalances?
Causes of hormonal imbalance
- Age
- Genetic disorders
- Certain medical conditions
- Poison exposure
- Disruption of the biological clock (circadian rhythm)
The above factors can affect the body's ability to produce the required amount of hormones. The improper production of hormones can cause a variety of serious health problems.
How to deal with hormonal imbalances?
For hormone deficiency, the doctor may recommend synthetic hormone replacement, as well as for excess hormone production, medication can be used to restrain the effects of the hormone.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
