Many people associate hormones with puberty, but hormones play an important role in every stage of a woman’s life, including menopause. You can think of hormones as chemical messengers: They travel throughout your body to tell it what to do and when to do it. Different hormones carry different messages, but they all work together to support your overall health and well-being. Understanding which hormones do what can help you recognize signs of a hormonal imbalance.

Estrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries, although your adrenal glands and body fat produce small amounts. Estrogen is responsible for a woman’s sexual and reproductive development. In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, it also affects cholesterol levels, bone health and brain function. During menopause, estrogen levels decrease, resulting in hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Progesterone, which is produced by the ovaries, plays an important role in a woman’s reproductive health. It is responsible for preparing the uterine lining for pregnancy and maintaining a pregnancy if conception occurs. Progesterone works closely with estrogen to maintain hormonal balance. During menopause, progesterone levels drop, which can contribute to irregular periods, mood swings, sleep disturbances and other symptoms.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. As its name implies, the primary function of FSH is to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles, which produce estrogen and progesterone and help maintain the menstrual cycle. As a woman approaches menopause, the ovaries become less responsive to FSH, resulting in decreased production of estrogen and progesterone and, eventually, the cessation of menstrual cycles.

Like FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland. The two hormones work together to regulate processes in the reproductive system. LH plays a crucial role in triggering ovulation and the production of progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. As menopause approaches, LH levels increase while estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, leading to irregular periods and other symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced by the adrenal gland. It helps produce other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. DHEA levels typically peak in a woman’s 20s and slowly decline thereafter. Normal DHEA decline is regular and expected, but conditions that cause unusual or unexpected drops in DHEA can cause hormonal imbalances.

Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and prepares the body for the fight-or-flight response, resulting in increased glucose levels, a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. It also slows nonessential systems, such as the digestive and reproductive systems. During menopause, cortisol levels may rise, causing irritability, weight gain and other troublesome symptoms.

Melatonin is produced primarily by the pineal gland in the brain. It is released in response to darkness and signals the body to sleep. Because sleep is crucial to both physical and mental well-being, melatonin is an important hormone. Similar to estrogen and progesterone, melatonin may decrease during menopause, resulting in poor sleep and other concerns.

Typically associated with men, testosterone is a vital hormone for women as well. Testosterone helps maintain an active sex drive and regulate mood, weight and muscle mass. During menopause, testosterone levels may drop, resulting in a decreased libido, fatigue and other symptoms.

Treatment options are available to help you navigate hormone imbalances during menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a natural solution that can help regulate your hormone levels and bring your life back into balance. If your body isn’t producing enough of a particular hormone or if it needs more of one hormone to counteract the effects of another, BHRT is a way to supplement the body with natural hormones.

Take control of your menopause before it takes control of you.

Find a menopause provider near you and schedule your bioidentical hormones consultation today.