Chapter 5 - Sex Hormones

Question 1

Three groups of hormones

Answer 1

• Lipid and phospholipid hormones
• Peptide hormones
• Monoamine hormones

Question 2

What do hormones do

Answer 2

• Connect the reproductive and nervous system
• Very potent, takes small amounts to change the function of the organ

Question 3

The HPG Axis

Answer 3

• Hypothalamis pituitary, gonad axis
• The brain connects with the reproductive system through the HPG axis
• The pituitary and the hypothalamus communicate with each other and with the gonads via hormones
• Two way system

Question 4

Why are human birth rates affected by season

Answer 4

• Our bodies detect seasonal change and that changes the hormones they send throughout the body

Question 5

The stages of the menstrual cycle

Answer 5

• 0 to 7 days: meses, uterine lining is shedding
• 7 to 14 days: proliferative phase, building the lining
• 14 to 28 days: secretory phase, basically waiting to get pregnant

Question 6

The development of secondary sex characteristics

Answer 6

• Males: facial hair, muscle mass, etc.
• Females: Breasts and an increase in fat tissue and widening hips

Question 7

Testosterone levels

Answer 7

• Higher levels in men and women are linked to
• Frequency of sex
• Shorter term relationships
• Polyamorous relationships
• More frequent masturbation in males (related to estrogen in women)

Question 8

How does sexual activity and other life factors affect hormone levels

Answer 8

• Sexual activity correlates with higher testosterone in men and women
• Intimate physical contact correlates with higher testosterone in women
• Sexual arousal decreases the stress hormone and increases estradiol in women

Question 9

Oxytocin and vasopressin

Answer 9

• The love and bonding hormones

Question 10

Prolactin

Answer 10

• Surge at the time of orgasm and have been associated with feelings of sexual satisfaction
• Excess of this hormones can cause sexual function and fertility issues in both men and women

Question 11

Perimenopause

Answer 11

• Occurs usually for women in their late 40s and signals a decline in estrogens and progestogens

Question 12

Postmenopausal

Answer 12

• Haven’t had a period in a year
• May experience changes in their libido due to declining estradiol levels

Question 13

Andropause

Answer 13

• Levels of testosteron fall
• Can lead to many symptoms, like decreased muscle mass and changes in cognition
• May see erectile dysfunction