Sex Hormones Flashcards

1
Q

Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis

A

Maintains hormonal balance within the female reproductive system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

GnRh

A

GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary
to produce and release LH and FSH.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

LH and FSH

A
  • LH and FSH support follicle development, ovulation, corpus luteum maintenance and the production of progesterone, oestrogen and inhibin.
  • Raised oestrogen and testosterone exert
    negative feedback over FSH and LH secretion.
  • Progesterone and oestrogen regulate the function of target organs, e.g., uterus, mammary glands.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Pregnenolone

A

A hormone synthesised from cholesterol in steroidogenic tissues such as the adrenal gland, gonads, and brain by the mitochondrial enzyme CYP11A1.
* A precursor of DHEA, testosterone, DHT, oestradiol, progesterone and cortisol.
* Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Low levels of Pregnenolone

A
  • Advancing age (>30)
  • Statin use.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Symptoms of low pregnenolone

A

Poor memory; declining concentration and attention; fatigue; dry skin; joint and muscle pain; decreased libido.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Supporting healthy pregnenolone levels:

A
  • Improves sleep, manages stress. Healthy fats.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Pregnenolone steal theory’

A

States that high stress increases the use of pregnenolone for cortisol production, reducing the total amount of pregnenolone available for production of sex
hormones.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Progesterone

A
  • Produced: In the corpus luteum after ovulation, in the adrenal cortex and by the placenta during pregnancy. So, a lack of ovulation = a lack of progesterone.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Progesterone: Functions

A

‒ Maintains the endometrium for implantation and pregnancy. Increases cervical mucus (producing a barrier)
‒ Progesterone metabolites potentiate the inhibitory actions of GABA by modulating receptors; help relax smooth muscle.
‒ Supports bone health and mammary development.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Progesterone Imbalances

A

Perimenopause, PCOS, infertility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Low progesterone:

A

Leads to oestrogen dominance / tipping the ratio of oestrogen:progesterone (O:P).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Low Progesterone: Causes

A

Chronic stress, synthetic progesterones, xenoestrogens.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Low Progesterone: Signs and Symptoms

A

Irritability, mood swings and insomnia.
Also = a h igher risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

To balance progesterone

A

Support oestrogen detoxification , increase fibre , 3 balanced (not processed) meals / day, no snacking, avoid alcohol until balanced, magnesium, vitamin C and B6, zinc. Vitex Agnus castus , Australian bush flower essence ( she oak ), exercise and box breathing with anxiety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Oestrogens

A

A group of steroid hormones, including
oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2) and oestriol (E3).

Produced: By conversion of androgens via aromatase (aromatisation), e.g., in the ovaries, bone, breast, adipose
* Activity: Oestrogens exert their actions by binding to specific oestrogen receptors : ER α, ER β, and GPER . Oestradiol (E2) ―
most physiologically active during reproductive years.

17
Q

Oestrogen Functions

A

Reproductive tract development, menstrual cycle, promotes cell proliferation (esp. breasts), glucose homeostasis, immune robustness; bone and cardiovascular health.

18
Q

Oestrogen dominance

A

A state of excess
oestrogenic activity encompassing some or all of:
 Elevated oestrogen relative to progesterone.
High O:P ratio despite normal oestrogen.
 Elevated specific types of oestrogen or metabolites due to poor detoxification and elimination.
 Excess oestrogen induces an overexpression of ER α and ER β.
* Associated with: Fibroids, endometriosis, PMS, fibrocystic breasts, dysmenorrhea, infertility, miscarriages, perimenopause, breast / ovarian / endometrial cancers, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction (e.g., Hashimoto’s), brain fog, anxiety and depression.

19
Q

Oestrogen dominance ― aetiology

A
  • Synthetic HRT and oral contraceptive pills
  • Xenoestrogens
  • Heavy metals
  • Obesity
  • Poor liver detoxification and methylation
  • Constipation
  • Genetic mutations
  • Intestinal dysbiosis
  • Chronic stress
20
Q

2 OH E (CYP1A1)

A

Weakest, protective form. COMT de-activates 2 OHE1 to the protective 2 MeOE1 metabolite.

21
Q

4 OH E (CYP1B1)

A

A pro-carcinogenic oestrogen metabolite
n eutralised by COMT into protective 4 MeOE1 metabolites. Overuse of this pathway is, therefore, problematic.

22
Q

16 α OH E (CYP3A4)

A

Highest binding affinity for
oestrogen receptors with high proliferative effects.
High 16 α OH E is associated with a higher risk of oestrogen dependent conditions, e.g., breast cancer, fibroids, endometriosis.

23
Q

Oestrobolome

A

A collection of microbes
capable of metabolising oestrogens .
* These bacteria produce beta-glucuronidase
Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus ,
Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens.
* Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme which deconjugates (reactivates)
oestrogens that were already conjugated for elimination.
* These deconjugated oestrogens can be reabsorbed via the
enterohepatic circulation increasing oestrogen load in the body.
* A healthy gut produces the right amount of beta glucuronidase to maintain oestrogen homeostasis.
* A dysbiotic microbiome, especially when coupled with low fibre intake and poor bile flow , increases
the chances of the entero
toxigenic circulation. Hence why improving GIT function and microbial patterns can help with overall oestrogenic load.

24
Q

Beta-Glucuronidase conditions

A

Endometriosis
Ovarian Cancer
PCOS
Breast Cancer
Endometrial Hyperplasia

25
Q

Maintaining healthy beta
glucuronidase levels

A
  • Optimise the microbiome ( probiotics, prebiotics
  • If high: ↑ dietary fibre ; calcium D glucarate (a beta glucuronidase inhibitor) and glucaric acid rich foods such as mung bean sprouts, apples, cruciferous vegs. Milk thistle, Lactobacilli and Bi fidum bacteria. Consider the 5R protocol.
  • If low: Focus on
    commensal support (e.g. probiotics ).
26
Q

Testosterone

A
  • Produced: In the ovaries and adrenal cortex.
  • Converted to: E2 via aromatase (most testosterone), and DHT.
  • Functions: Ovarian density, libido, bone strength, mood, cognition.
  • Testosterone imbalances:
    ‒ Androgen dominance is seen in PCOS. Associated with anovulation, hirsutism and acne vulgaris. This is driven by insulin resistance so create your client’s plan accordingly.
    ‒ Low testosterone may be associated with low mood, low libido and cognitive dysfunction. This is noted during perimenopause.
    L-tyrosine may help but also address the cause.
27
Q

Testosterone
DHT:

A
  • 5α-reductase converts
    testosterone into a more potent form (DHT). This pathway is:
  • Upregulated by:
    Insulin, inflammation, obesity.
  • Downregulated by:
    Nettle (esp. nettle root),
    saw palmetto, lycopene,
    turmeric, green tea, zinc,
    GLA and EPA.
28
Q

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)

A

Sex hormones are not water soluble so need to be transported in blood bound to SHBG.
* Produced: A glycoprotein synthesised by the liver.
* Functions: Binds to oestradiol , testosterone, DHT. Only unbound hormones are biologically active.
* SHBG imbalances:
‒ Lower levels = higher circulating free / active levels of these hormones. Associated with hyperinsulinemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, 2DM, hypothyroidism, PCOS.
‒ High levels: Seen in anorexia, pregnancy, androgen deficiency, hyperthyroidism, liver disease.

29
Q

Prolactin

A

A key hormone controlled by oestrogen and dopamine.
* Functions: Lactation, breast maturation, inhibits menstruation.
* Hyperprolactinaemia: Occurs naturally in pregnancy and lactation but can also occur in non pregnant women.
- Associated with: Infertility, menstrual
irregularities, low libido, osteopenia, breast pain and vaginal dryness.
* Increased by: High cortisol (stress), pituitary tumours, circadian disruption, renal failure, vitamin D deficiency, drugs
e.g., domperidone (dopamine antagonists).