Your hormones influence your mood, energy, metabolism, and long-term health. Understanding how female hormones and other hormone types work can help you spot imbalances early and take charge of your well-being.
Table of Content
Key Takeaways
8 Types of Hormones That Affect Your Health
List of Female Hormones and Functions
What Is a Female Endocrine Disorder?
What Is the Most Common Female Endocrine Disorder?
What Is a Full Hormone Panel?
Can I Check My Hormone Levels Myself?
What Symptoms Do Endocrinologists Say You Shouldn’t Ignore?
Should I Get Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Control of Your Hormone Health with BioRestore
| Key Takeaways ✔ Female hormones regulate everything from mood and energy to bone health and fertility. ✔ A full hormone panel reveals imbalances across different types of hormones, not just estrogen. ✔ Common signs of hormone imbalance include fatigue, irregular cycles, weight changes, and mood swings. ✔ Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can restore balance, improve quality of life, and reduce long-term health risks. ✔ Professional testing and guidance are essential before starting any hormone treatment. |
8 Types of Hormones That Affect Your Health
1. Insulin: The Energy Regulator
Insulin is critical for converting food into usable energy. When insulin functions properly, your blood sugar stays stable, helping you feel energized throughout the day. If insulin becomes unbalanced, it can lead to weight gain, fatigue, or even diabetes. For women, insulin resistance is often linked to PCOS and other hormone-related conditions.
2. Thyroid Hormones (Thyroxine/T4 & Triiodothyronine/T3)
Thyroid hormones keep your metabolism running smoothly. They control how quickly your body burns calories, influence heart health, and affect hair and skin. Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to sluggishness, weight gain, and depression, while overactive thyroids may cause rapid heartbeat and anxiety.
3. Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
Cortisol helps your body respond to stress. In short bursts, it’s helpful, but when levels remain high due to chronic stress, it can disrupt sleep, weaken immunity, and increase belly fat. Many women notice cortisol imbalance during high-pressure life stages, which also impacts other women’s hormones.
4. Testosterone
Though often labeled a “male hormone,” testosterone is also essential for women. It supports lean muscle mass, bone density, and sexual health. Low levels can result in fatigue, decreased motivation, and low libido.
5. Estrogen and Progesterone
The female hormone is called estrogen. Estrogen and progesterone are the cornerstone female hormones that shape reproductive health. They regulate menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy, but they also influence mood, skin, and bone strength. Changes in these hormones during menopause or conditions like PCOS can cause irregular cycles, hot flashes, or mood swings.
6. Growth Hormone (GH)
Growth hormone is responsible for cell growth, repair, and muscle tone. It helps maintain a youthful body composition by reducing fat and building lean muscle. Imbalances can contribute to early aging or difficulty recovering from exercise.
7. Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
Adrenaline provides your fight-or-flight response. It sharpens focus, boosts energy, and prepares your body for action. But if your body is constantly pumping out adrenaline due to chronic stress, it may leave you feeling anxious or exhausted.
8. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
PTH plays a big role in maintaining strong bones by regulating calcium levels. Too much or too little can lead to brittle bones, muscle weakness, or nerve problems. This hormone type is especially important for women as bone density naturally decreases with age.
List of Female Hormones and Functions
When people ask, “What are the female hormones?” the answer is far more complex than a single word. While estrogen and progesterone are often considered the primary female hormones, they’re just part of a larger hormonal network that keeps the body functioning at its best.
Hormones are chemical messengers that influence nearly every body system. They help regulate metabolism, energy levels, mood, reproduction, and even bone health. Below is a list of female hormones and their functions—each one playing a unique role in maintaining balance throughout the body:
- Estrogen: Regulates menstrual cycles, supports reproductive health, and maintains bone density.
- Progesterone: Prepares the uterus for pregnancy and helps balance the effects of estrogen.
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Stimulates egg growth and ovarian follicle development.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Triggers ovulation and supports hormone production in the ovaries.
- Testosterone: Present in smaller amounts; contributes to muscle strength, libido, and mood stability.
- Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4): Regulate metabolism, energy, and body temperature.
When these hormones work together in balance, the body feels energized, focused, and strong. However, when even one hormone is out of sync, it can disrupt the delicate balance of a woman’s endocrine system—the intricate network of glands responsible for producing and regulating hormones throughout the body.
What Is a Female Endocrine Disorder?
A female endocrine disorder is any condition that disrupts the normal production, balance, or function of hormones in a woman’s body. The endocrine system comprises glands such as the ovaries, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas, all of which release hormones that regulate essential processes, including metabolism, reproduction, growth, and mood.
When this system is thrown off balance, even slightly, it can trigger a chain reaction of symptoms. For women, endocrine disorders often affect reproductive health, menstrual cycles, fertility, weight regulation, and emotional well-being.
What Is the Most Common Female Endocrine Disorder?
The most common endocrine disorder affecting women is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This condition occurs when the body produces higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), which disrupt the balance of female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
The result can include irregular menstrual cycles, difficulty with ovulation, weight gain, acne, and excess hair growth.
PCOS is closely tied to insulin resistance, which is why many women with this condition also experience challenges with blood sugar regulation. Because different types of hormones interact with one another, an imbalance in insulin often worsens reproductive symptoms.
What Is a Full Hormone Panel?
A full hormone panel is a comprehensive lab test that evaluates multiple hormone levels in one screening. Instead of measuring just one hormone, it looks at a broad range, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, insulin, and cortisol. This type of test helps doctors understand how many hormones females have in balance at one time and how those levels affect overall health.
When it comes to understanding what hormones women have, a hormone panel provides a straightforward insight. By reviewing our list of female hormones and functions above, you can identify whether fatigue, mood swings, or reproductive issues are tied to imbalances. A full panel is often the first step endocrinologists recommend when exploring hormone-related symptoms.
Can I Check My Hormone Levels Myself?
The idea of checking hormones at home is appealing, but the reality is more complex. At-home test kits can give you a snapshot of certain hormone levels, yet they often fall short of accuracy and context. For example, saliva or finger-prick tests may not reflect the full range of women hormones or account for daily fluctuations.
Professional testing through an endocrinologist or hormone health clinic is far more reliable. These providers can evaluate a list of female hormones and functions, compare them against normal ranges, and connect the dots between symptoms and lab results.
What Symptoms Do Endocrinologists Say You Shouldn’t Ignore?
Hormone imbalances don’t always show up in obvious ways, but endocrinologists highlight several red flags you should never dismiss:
- Unexplained weight gain or loss – May indicate issues with thyroid hormones, insulin, or cortisol.
- Irregular menstrual cycles – Often tied to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone.
- Persistent fatigue or brain fog – Can stem from low thyroid hormones, cortisol imbalance, or other hormone type deficiencies.
- Hair thinning or unexpected hair loss – Linked to thyroid changes, testosterone imbalance, or low estrogen.
- Severe mood swings or heightened anxiety – Frequently connected to changes in female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
If you’ve asked yourself “what are the female hormones doing in my body right now?” these symptoms may hold the answer. Since different types of hormones influence nearly every organ system, ignoring these warning signs can delay care and worsen long-term health outcomes.
Should I Get Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be a powerful tool for women experiencing imbalances in female hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, or even testosterone. Whether HRT is right for you depends on your symptoms, age, and overall health goals.
Benefits of HRT
Restores Balance of Different Types of Hormones
Hormone Replacement Therapy helps stabilize the delicate system of female hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone. By restoring balance across these different types of hormones, HRT can relieve common symptoms like irregular cycles, hot flashes, and fatigue.
Improves Mood, Sleep, and Mental Clarity
Fluctuating hormone levels can cause irritability, anxiety, or brain fog. By replenishing the body’s natural supply, HRT supports emotional stability, reduces sleep disturbances, and improves focus—helping women feel more like themselves again.
Supports Skin Elasticity and Muscle Tone
As estrogen levels decline with age, skin can become thinner and less elastic, while muscle mass may decrease. Hormone therapy helps protect collagen production and muscle health, leading to stronger physical resilience and a more youthful appearance.
Reduces Risk of Certain Long-Term Conditions Tied to Low Estrogen
Beyond easing daily symptoms, maintaining healthy estrogen levels may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Some evidence also suggests that balanced women hormones contribute to better cardiovascular health when therapy is carefully monitored.
Risks and Considerations
While Hormone Replacement Therapy offers meaningful benefits, it isn’t the right fit for every woman. The decision should always be based on a full hormone panel and an individualized medical review.
Potential Health Risks
Depending on age, lifestyle, and medical history, HRT may carry risks such as blood clots, stroke, or an increased chance of certain hormone-sensitive cancers. These risks vary by the type of hormones used, the delivery method, and how long therapy is continued.
Individual Response Varies
Just as what hormones women have differ in balance from person to person, the response to therapy can vary widely. Some women experience rapid relief, while others need adjustments in dosage or delivery method (pills, creams, patches, or injections).
Importance of Professional Oversight
Because different types of hormones interact in complex ways, self-medicating or relying on over-the-counter supplements can do more harm than good. A professional evaluation ensures you’re receiving the safest, most effective therapy for your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the female hormone called?
The female hormone is called estrogen, but that’s only part of the picture. Women also produce progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones, among others. Each hormone type plays a role in maintaining reproductive health, mood, energy, and overall wellness. So while estrogen is a primary female hormone, it works alongside many others to keep the body in balance.
What hormones do women have?
Women produce a wide range of hormones, not just those related to reproduction. The key women’s hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and parathyroid hormone. This list of female hormones and functions highlights just how interconnected they are—affecting everything from fertility to metabolism and stress response.
How many hormones do females have?
In general, the human body has over 50 hormones. Females rely on dozens of different types of hormones to regulate daily functions. The most impactful ones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and insulin. Together, these hormones shape physical development, manage energy, and influence mental well-being. Understanding how many hormones females have helps explain why imbalances can cause such widespread symptoms.
What are the female hormones responsible for?
Female hormones are responsible for a wide variety of functions beyond reproduction. Estrogen supports bone strength and skin health, progesterone prepares the body for pregnancy, and testosterone enhances energy and muscle tone. Even stress hormones like cortisol interact with women hormones to influence mood and metabolism. Learning about the list of female hormones and functions helps women better understand their health at every stage of life.
Do female hormones change with age?
Yes, hormone levels shift significantly as women move through different life stages. During puberty, estrogen and progesterone rise to regulate the menstrual cycle. Pregnancy creates major surges in these hormones, while menopause leads to gradual declines. At the same time, other hormones—like thyroid hormones, insulin, and cortisol—may also fluctuate. These age-related changes explain many of the symptoms women experience, from hot flashes to fatigue.
Take Control of Your Hormone Health with BioRestore
Your hormones affect far more than you might realize—from mood and energy to bone health and aging. Understanding what female hormones are and how they function is the first step in protecting your long-term well-being.
If you suspect a hormone imbalance, don’t wait. BioRestore in Connecticut offers personalized treatments designed to restore balance.
Take control of your health today. Visit BioRestore to schedule your consultation and start feeling your best again.