Difference between Estrogen, Testosterone and Progesterone
Estrogen functions as the primary sex hormone in women. This group of steroid composites is called so for their significance in the estrous cycle of women. These hormones help in the fertility of women and their ability to produce or have children. Testosterone on the other hand is the main steroid hormone of men. These testosterones come from the androgen group which is secreted in the testes of the male species, which are also used as anabolic steroids. Testosterone is present to almost all male species, both human and animals. Progesterone on the other hand is a steroid hormone (C-21) which is primarily involved in the pregnancy of women and their menstrual cycle.
Functions
Estrogen plays a significant role in the women’s estrous cycle. These hormones are the one that aids in the reproduction of women. Estrogen is also widely used by pharmaceutical companies and medicine developers as an oral contraceptive. Testosterone, the male sex hormone plays a major role in the development of the testis and prostate and it also helps in the development of the male’s secondary characteristics like hair growth and increased muscle and bone growth. The hormone of pregnancy, more popularly known as progesterone, has different functions with the development of fetus. They also are used as a contraceptive because this chemical makes the cervical mucus thick, which does not allow sperm to get in.
Effects
Estrogen has been found to help in healing wounds. There was also a time where these chemicals were manipulated to treat disabled girls to grow into an adult size. The chemical is also used, through recent studies to treat bulimic people, and is also an effective drug to treat traumatic liver injury. Progesterone on the other hand is used to synthesize within the central nervous system because of the fact that it belongs to the group known as neurosteroids. These chemicals directly affect nerve myelination which improves cognitive ability and memory. Finally, testosterone has different effects on males especially during the puberty stage. This includes the growth of hair in different parts of their body and the development of muscles and sexual organs.
Specific Actions
Both estrogen and progesterone are known to be present and dominant inside the female body. Estrogen is primarily responsible for aiding in the different changes inside a woman’s body like the growth of breasts and menstruation, while progesterone aids in the function of women to reproduce. Testosterone on the other hand specifically targets the change in men’s physical appearance like the growth of Adam’s apple and hair and muscle development.
Summary
- Estrogen can be found in some oral contraceptives. It aids in the development of different changes in women going to adulthood like the development of breast and the menstrual cycle.
- Progesterone is the dominant hormone in women. It helps in the menstrual cycle in women and it also helps in their pregnancy.
- Testosterone is the hormone that is majorly present in the body of a male. They help in the development of the primary and secondary sexual development of men such as the development of the muscles, the body hairs and the deepening of the tone of voice. Mainly, it also aids in the development of the reproductive organs and its fluids.
