Sex Steroid Hormones - Impact on Reproductive Physiology

Sex steroid hormones, including estrogens, progestins, and testosterone, are vital for reproductive physiology and overall health. Estrogens are key in developing female reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics, while progestins prepare and maintain the uterus for pregnancy. Testosterone influences libido, hair growth, bone strength, and muscle mass. Imbalances in these hormones can lead to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome and reproductive cancers. Understanding their regulation through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is crucial for managing reproductive health and related medical conditions.