In a woman, hormonal changes cause a desire for sex. Hormones are the chemical messengers in the bloodstream produced by the endocrine glands in the body. These are responsible for many bodily processes such as sleep, development, appetite, etc.
Hormones that are particularly important for sexual arousal in women are known as female sex hormones. Sex hormones are also called sex steroids. The levels of female sex hormones change throughout women’s lives. However, the changes are most significant during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. The female sex hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and gonads that include ovaries.
This article discusses the roles of female sex hormones, their factors, types, and impact on female arousal.
Role Of Female Sex Hormones
Female sex hormones are responsible for carrying out a number of bodily processes, sexual processes, and maintaining general health. They are involved in:
- Puberty
- Sexual development
- Sexual desire
- Reproduction
- Maintaining bone health and density
- Regulating metabolism
- Immunity
- Hair growth
- Regulating body lipids
Factors Affecting Female Sex Hormones
As said earlier, female sex hormones continue to fluctuate throughout a woman’s life. There are some factors that affect the levels of female sex hormones, that include:
- Menstrual cycle
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Stress
- Medications
Types Of Female Sex Hormones
There are different types of female sex hormones that include: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of them is discussed below:
Estrogen
Estrogen is the most famous female sex hormone. It is crucial for sexual development during puberty and reproduction. Most of the estrogen in women is produced in the ovaries, but adrenal glands and the fat cells also make it in small amounts.
Progesterone
Progesterone is responsible for stabilizing the menstrual cycle and preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy. It is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta. The level of progesterone increases at the time of ovulation and pregnancy.
Testosterone
Testosterone is basically a male sex hormone. However, it is also produced in women in very small amounts. It plays an essential role in fertilization, sexual desire, menstruation, tissue mass, bone density, and blood production in women.
Role Of Female Sex Hormones In Sexual Urge
Female sex hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, are all very important, and these affect arousal and sexual desire in women. Increased amounts of estrogen in women cause the vagina to wet and increase sexual desire. Conversely, too much progesterone can reduce sexual desire. However, nothing can be said about testosterone if it increases or decreases a woman’s sexual urge.
