Hormones Glossary

Hormones are the chemical messengers that drive everything in your body – from skin, metabolism, mood, sleep, and stress to fertility and, sexual health. Balanced hormones are essential to a healthy inner ecosystem that allows you to thrive.

Sex Hormones

Sex hormones play vital roles in sexual development, reproduction, and general health. Sex hormone levels change over time (and throughout the menstrual cycle), but some of the most significant changes happen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

DHEA

DHEA is an androgen and has far-reaching effects on the entire body as it is the key building block of other hormones.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

DHT, an androgen, is responsible for some aspects of female puberty like the growth of body hair.

Estradiol (E2)

Estradiol, one of the three types of Estrogen, is the one commonly referred to as “estrogen” as it dominates during the reproductive years.

Estriol (E3)

Estriol, one of the three types of Estrogen, is much more prevalent during pregnancy when it is produced by the placenta as well as the ovaries.

Estrone (E1)

Estrone, one of the three types of Estrogen, is the only type of estrogen that is produced after menopause.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

FSH, acts as a messenger during the menstrual cycle telling your ovaries that it’s time to produce an egg.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

HCG is known as the “pregnancy hormone” that both at-home and doctor’s office tests measure to confirm pregnancy.

Kisspeptin

Kisspeptin is produced in your brain to stimulate production of sex hormones - testosterone and estrogen.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

LH acts as a messenger during the menstrual cycle telling your ovaries that it’s time to release an egg.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” because it is associated with human bonding behaviors like trust, empathy, and sexual arousal.

Progesterone

Progesterone is a female sex hormone that regulates menstruation and pregnancy while also influencing skin, physical, and mental health.

Prolactin

Prolactin's primary role is milk production, but it also plays a role in metabolism, the immune and reproductive systems and helps to regulate behavior.

Relaxin

Relaxin is most well known for its role in pregnancy, allowing your muscles to literally “relax” and make room for a growing baby.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

SHBG helps to signal how well sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone are being absorbed or used by the body.

Testosterone

Testosterone, an androgen, is part of the delicate hormonal balance that leads to healthy menstrual cycles and a properly functioning fertility system.