Sex hormones in humans
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sex hormones/seks ˈhɔːməʊnz/ | sex hormones |
| menstrual cycle/ˈmenstruːəl ˈsaɪkl/ | The roughly monthly cycle of ovulation and womb-lining changes in women. |
| oestrogen/ˈiːstrədʒn/ | A group of steroid hormones involved in reproductive development and regulation of the menstrual cycle. |
| ovulation/ˌɒvjʊˈleɪʃn/ | The release of an egg cell from an ovary. |
| progesterone/prəʊˈdʒestərəʊn/ | A hormone that helps maintain the uterine lining and supports pregnancy. |
The hormones of growing up
- At puberty, the body changes dramatically — driven by sex hormones 性激素.
- These same hormones control the monthly menstrual cycle 月经周期.
Testosterone is produced mainly in the:
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Testosterone comes from the testes.
Oestrogen causes female puberty changes and is made in the:
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The ovaries produce oestrogen.
Testosterone and oestrogen 雌激素
- Testosterone (from the testes) causes male puberty changes (deeper voice, body hair).
- Oestrogen (from the ovaries) causes female puberty changes and controls the menstrual cycle.
Hormones drive the menstrual cycle each month
The menstrual cycle
Hormones control a roughly monthly cycle that prepares the uterus for a possible pregnancy.
The release of an egg during the menstrual cycle is called:
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Ovulation is the release of an egg, around day 14.
If the egg is not fertilised, the uterus lining breaks down (a period).
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The lining is shed if there is no pregnancy.
The roughly monthly cycle controlled by sex hormones is the ______ cycle.
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It lasts about 28 days.
The menstrual cycle
- About every 28 days: the uterus lining thickens, an egg is released (ovulation 排卵), and if no fertilisation occurs the lining breaks down (a period).
- Hormones including oestrogen and progesterone 孕酮 control these stages.
Pregnancy and hormones
- If the egg is fertilised, progesterone keeps the uterus lining in place.
- Hormone levels then stop the cycle during pregnancy.
Worked example. Around day 14 of the cycle, a surge of hormones triggers ovulation — the release of an egg. This is when fertilisation is most likely if sperm are present.
You've got it
- testosterone drives male puberty; oestrogen drives female puberty
- the menstrual cycle (≈28 days): lining thickens → ovulation → period (if no fertilisation)
- oestrogen and progesterone control the cycle and maintain pregnancy