Hormone - [Gr.
hormon, urging on]
1. A subsubstance that originates in an organ, gland, or
part and is conveyed through the blood to another part of the
body, stimulating it by chemical action to increase secretion
of another hormone. 2. The secreation of the ductless glands,
e.g., insulin from the pancreas
Estrogen - [Gr.
oistros, mad desire, + gennan, to produce]
Any natural or artificial substance that induces estrogenic activity;
more specifically the estrogenic hormones, estradiol and estrone,
produced by the ovary; the female sex hormone. Estrogens are responsible
for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and for
cyclic changes in the vaginal epithelium and endothelium of the
uterus. Natural estrogens include setradiol, estrone, and their
metabolic product estriol. When used therapeutically, estrogens
are usually given in the form of a conjugate such as ethinyl estradiol,
conjugated estrogens, USP, q.v., or the synthetic estrogenic substance,
diethylstilbestrol. These preparations are effective when given
by mouth.
Estrogens provide a satisfactory replacement hormone for the treatment of menopause. It is important to observe closely patients treated this way for any malignant changes in the breast or endometrium. Estrogen should be administered intermittently and in the lowest effective dose.
Estrogen’s, conjugated - USP - Estrogenic substances, principally estrone and equilin, excreted in the urine of pregnant mares. Trade name is Premarin.
There have been six estrogens discovered in the body
the three most abundant are:
Estradiol - USP - C18H24O2
- a steroid produced by the ovary and possessing estrogenic properties.
Large quantities are found in the urine of pregnant women and
mares and in the urine of stallions, the latter two serving as
sources of the commercial produce. Estradiol is effective when
given subcutaneously or intramuscularly but not when administered
orally. It is converted to estrone in the body. Trade names are
Estrace and Progynon.
Estriol - USP - C18H24O3 - Estrogenic hormone considered to be the metabolic product of esterone and estradiol. It is found in the urine of the female.
Estrone - USP - C18H22O2 - An estrogenic hormone found in the urine of pregnant women and mares. It is also prepared synthetically. Used in the treatment of estrogen deficiencies. It is less active than estradiol but more active than estriol. Trade name is Theelin.
Progesterone - [pro,
for, + gestation, pregnancy]
USP - C21H30O2 - A steroid hormone obtained from the corpus
luteum and placenta. It is responsible for changes in the endometrium
in the second half of the menstrual cycle preparatory for implantation
of the blastocyst, development of maternal placenta after implantation,
and development of mammary glands.
In treatment of menstrual disorders (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea) and threatened abortion.
Progestin
1. A corpus luteum hormone that prepares the endometrium for implantation
of the fertilized ovum. 2. The term used to cover a large group
of synthetic drugs that have a progesteronelike effect on the
uterus.
Testosterone -
[L. testis, testicle]
An andrigen isolated from the testes of a number of animals including
man and considered to be the principal testicular hormone produced
in man. It is a steroid produced by the interstitial cells of
Leydig of the testicles. This hormone is also normally produced
by the adrenal cortex of both human males and females. It has
been prepared synthetically by conversion of other sterols, esp.,
cholesterol.
It accelerates growth in tissues upon which it acts and stimulates blood flow. It stimulates and promotes the growth of secondary sexual behavior and the occurrence of erections. It is essential for normal growth and development of the male accessory organs. It is responsible for deepening of the male voice at puberty, greater muscular development in men, development of beard and pubic hair, and distribution of fat in adult men. It also affects many metabolic activities.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Hormone secreted by anterior lobe of the hypophysis that stimulates
development of the corpus luteum
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Hormone produced by the anterior pituitary. It stimulates growth
of the follicle in the ovary and spermatogenesis in the testis.
Androgen - [Gr. andros, man + gennan, to produce]
Substance producing or stimulating the development of male characteristics
(masculinization0, such as the hormones testosterone and androsterone,
q.v.
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| Major Source | Ovary: developing follicles and corpus luteum | Ovary: mainly the corpus luteum | Testes: interstitial cells |
| Stimulus for release | FSH (and LH) | LH | LH and declining levels of inhibin produced by the sustentacular cells |
| Feedback effects exerted | Both negative and positive feedback exerted on anterior pituitary, release of gonadotropins | Negative feedback exerted on anterior pituitary release of gonadotropins | Negative feedback suppresses release of LH by the anterior pituitary (and perhaps release of GnRH by the hypothalamus) |
| Effects on reproductive organs |
Stimulates growth & maturation of the internal & external genitalia & breasts at puberty; maintains adult size & function of the reproductive organs. Promotes the proliferative phase of the uterine (menstrual) cycle; raising levels stimulate production of watery (crystalline) cervical mucus & activity of the fimbriae & cilia of the uterine tubes; promotes oogenesis & ovulation by stimulating the formation of FSH receptors on follicle cells & acts with FSH to induce formation of LH receptors on the follicle cells. Stimulates capacitation of sperm in the female reproductive tract via its effect on vaginal, uterine, and tubal secretions. During pregnancy stimulates mitoses of myometrial cells, growth of the uterus, & enlargement of the external genitalia & mammary glands. |
Cooperates with estrogen in stimulating growth of breasts & in regulating the uterine cycle (promotes the secretory phase of the uterine cycle); stimulates production of viscous cervical mucus. During pregnancy, quiets the myometrium & acts with estrogen to cause mammary glands to achieve their mature milk-producing state (stimulates formation of alveoli). |
Stimulates growth & maturation of the internal & external genitalia at puberty; maintains their adult size & function. Required for normal spermatogenesis via ABP on spermatogenetic cells; suppresses mammary gland development. |
| Somatic effects |
Stimulates lengthening of long bones & feminization of the skeleton (particularly the pelvis); inhibits bone reabsorption and then stimulates epiphyseal closure; promotes hydration of the skin; stimulates female pattern of fat deposit, and appearance of axillary & pubic hair. During pregnancy acts with relaxin (placental hormone) to induce softening & relaxation of the pelvic ligaments & pubic symphysis. |
Stimulates the growth spurt at puberty; promotes increased bone mass & skeletal mass & then epiphyseal closure at the end of adolescence; promotes growth of the larynx & vocal cords & deepening of the voice; enhances sebum secretion & hair growth, especially on the face, axillae, genital region, & chest. |
| Metabolic effects | Generally anabolic effects; stimulates Na+ reabsorption by the renal tubules, hence inhibits diuresis; enhances HDL (and reduces LDL) blood levels (cardiovascular sparing effect) | Promotes diuresis (antiestrogenic effect); increases body temperature. | Generally anabolic effects; stimulates hematopoiseis; enhances the BMR (basal metabolic rate) |
| Neural effects | Feminizes the brain | Responsible for sex drive (libido) in both sexes; masculinizes the brain; promotes aggressiveness |
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced by the hypothalamus, which causes the the anterior pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH), and also follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These two, LH & FSH, then signal the gonads (ovaries & testes) to secreate and release estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Additionally, there is a small amount of testosterone produced in the adrenal gland of both males and females. It is the overall balance of estrogen & progesteron vs. testosterone which determine if the body becomes male or female.
Through the use of anti-hormones, the specific hormonic actions can be blocked to assist HRT of the purpose of gender transition. Androgen receptor antagonists block the action of androgens at specific receptor sites. Androgen conversion inhibitors block the conversion of various androgens into other androgens. And, GnRH itself can overstimulate and finally surpress the production of both LH & FSH.
In other words, by taking high dosages of contrasexual hormones, you can cause your body to begin the process of rebalancing the male-female hormone levels. This is the process of Transitioning. While I primarily address myself to the male-to-female transition therapy, the reverse is possible. However, the number of possible herbs available to supply the male phyto-hormones is much more limited than for the female ones. I intend to begin research into this area in the future.
Aggressive exogenous hormone therapy indirectly reduces endogenous
(natural) gonadal hormone production by fooling the pituitary into thinking that
there are plenty of hormones already in the body; consequently, the pituitary reduces
the LH and FSH signals that stimulate the gonads.
Postnatally administered hormones do not cause development of genitals opposite those of birth. However, postnatal contrasexual hormone therapy does cause development of secondary sex characteristics opposite to the birth sex.