Chapter 3 Hormones and Sexuality

The Endocrine System: It’s All About Hormones Pituitary gland under control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) GnRH produced in brain’s hypothalamus and released directly into pituitary gland Hormones secreted by ductless glands directly into bloodstream Carried to other parts of body and influence other glands or target organs

Reproduction Starts in Your Head! Pituitary gland hormones: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Luteinizing hormone (LH) Prolactin Oxytocin

Pituitary Hormone Levels Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Reproductive and Sexual Hormones of Gonads and Adrenal Glands Testosterone Estrogen Progesterone Inhibin

Brain Pituitary Gonad Feedback Loop in Women Hormones produced by gonads Released into bloodstream “Read” by pituitary gland Altered its output of FSH and LH in response

The Menstrual Cycle: Which came first, the woman or the eggs? Each ovum (egg) surrounded by cells which form a protective “follicle” At birth Each month At puberty

In uterus and ovaries Cyclic Changes

Menstruation

Myth of the 28-Day Cycle 28 days is statistically average length of adult human woman’s menstrual cycle Variance between and within individuals “Day 1” is first day of menstrual bleeding (menstruation), so menstruation is days 1 through 4 of menstrual cycle

Menstrual Cycle

Changes Within the Ovaries During the Menstrual Cycle

Personal Reflections Do you regard menstruation as a normal bodily process that is experienced by all women in good health (between puberty and menopause)? If your answer is “yes” but you answer “no” to either one of the next two Personal Reflections, examine your feelings more carefully.

Pheromones What are pheromones?

Menstrual Synchrony Women who live together and are regularly exposed to pheromones often experience synchronized menstrual cycles Women with abnormal cycles tend to develop more normal cycles when exposed to male sweat

Aphrodisiac Colognes? No evidence that human sexual desire and behavior affected by natural body odors

Menstrual versus Estrous Cycle Monthly menstrual cycle allows opportunities for procreation Regular menstruation allow body to rid itself of potentially harmful bacteria Most animals experience estrous discharge and sexual/reproductive receptivity just once or twice a year

Historical Hebrew and Modern Jewish Attitudes Menstruating women “impure” All contact with men forbidden for 7 days Ritual bath required

Personal Reflections How was menstruation first describe to you: as something positive (e.g., “becoming a woman”), as just a fact of life, or as something negative? What effect do you think these early experiences have had on your present attitudes about menstruation. Are you able to talk about menstruation in your family today? If not, why not?

Current American Attitudes How would you describe American attitudes about menstruation?

Menstrual Taboos vs. Menstrual Celebrations Taboos Celebrations

Personal Reflections Women, would you feel comfortable asking your boyfriend or husband to buy you some tampons or sanitary napkins at the store? Men, if your girlfriend or wife asked you to do so, would you feel comfortable buying her some tampons or sanitary napkins at the store? Why or why not?

Menstrual Products

Menstrual Problems – Amenorrhea Amenorrhea Ogliomenorrhea

Menstrual Problems: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) PrevalenceTiming Physical symptoms Emotional symptoms

Menstrual Problems: PMS vs. PMDD

Personal Reflections Do you or your partner suffer from premenstrual syndrome? If the answer is “yes,” is it possible that any negativity that you or your partner have about menstruation may contribute to it? What do you do about PMS?

Menstrual Problems Prevalence and Symptoms and Causes Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Toxic Shock Syndrome

Menstrual Suppression: A Cure or More Negativity? Seasonale® and Lybrel ® Used for various menstrual disorders, female athletes and military personnel Is this a new lifestyle choice or the propagation of old attitudes of menstrual shame?

Regulation of Male Hormones

Brain Pituitary Gonad Feedback Loop in Men

Anabolic Steroids Derivatives of testosterone Synthetic drugs promote muscle growth and enhance muscle mass and strength Penis size is not enhanced by steroids Therapeutic value for use with certain illnesses

Misuse of Anabolic Steroids Uses Physical harm Psychiatric harm

Hormones and Sexual Desire Testosterone: related to sexual desire in both genders linked to biological factors, levels of sexual activity, and exposure to non- sexual psychological arousal