Female Hormones: How do they Effect Mood, Appetite and Libido?

It's not unusual when we are asked if it is our "Time of Month," just because we get angrier or sadder than usual in a situation. While many women find this offensive, others believe it to be true. Female hormones affect their moods and actions way more than we give them credit for. They even affect our sex-drive and appetite to a great extent. Studies have also indicated that our hormones play a huge role in selecting mates: for both males and females. While male subconsciously feels more attracted to women who are ovulating (the part of a woman's cycle when she is most fertile); women are attracted to men who produce Androstenol (the scent produced by fresh male sweat). Read: 5 reasons why you should be having more sex Lower levels of estrogen and testosterone, right at the beginning of your cycle, may cause a drop in your energy levels and make you want to stay home. They may also affect the quality of your sleep negatively and have an impact on the fullness of your breasts. During mid-cycle or when you are ovulating, you will experience a high sex-drive, that's when testosterone levels spike up. On the other hand, high levels of estrogen just before you start ovulation will make you feel more energetic. Read: 5 Superfoods to Reduce PMS Symptoms The fort, however, starts to tremble at the end of your cycle. This is when progesterone will settle in and make you feel "moody." This is where PMS or Pre-Menstrual Syndrome can be blamed for all the mood-swings, food craving and bloating.

Important Female Hormones

Here's a short guide to the important female hormones:

ESTROGEN

Produced mainly in the ovaries, Estrogen is a female hormone that plays a significant role in the development of secondary sex characteristics. These include breasts, pubic and armpit hair. It regulates the menstrual cycle since its onset and along with Progesterone, makes sure there is no ovulation while a woman is pregnant. It is also present in men in a smaller amount. PROGESTERONE Again, released by the ovaries, Progesterone's main role is to assist in conception and to maintain the pregnancy. When the egg is released from the ovary during ovulation, this hormone makes sure that the fertilized fetus is attached to the uterus and stimulates the growth of blood vessels to nurture the baby. Best Gynecologists in India from Trusted Hospitals Delhi NCR | Kolkata | Mumbai | Hyderabad | Chennai | Bangalore | Gurgaon

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