Problems with reproductive hormones

What are reproductive hormones?

Reproductive hormones (such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) affect puberty, fertility, the menstrual cycle, muscle mass, bone density and libido, among other things. Disturbed production or function of these hormones can lead to a variety of symptoms in both women and men.

Common male disorders

Common disruptions in male hormone production (including testosterone):

• Gynaecomastia or excessive breast development
• Hypogonadism or male hormone deficiency
• Impotence
• Reduced fertility

Common female disorders

Disorders of the ovaries and/or disorders in the production of female hormone can also occur in women. One common disorder is hirsutism.

• Hirsutism: a condition with excessive hair growth in women on parts of the body where little or no hair normally grows such as the face, chest and back. A common cause of this is PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).