Hormone Glossary

All of the time in a woman’s life that take place after her last period ever, or more accurately, all of the time that follows the point when her ovaries become inactive. A woman who still has her uterus can be declared to be in post menopause once she has gone 12 full months with no flow at all, not even any spotting. Also seen as postmenopause or post-menopause.

A chemical that can be converted by the body into another is a precursor of the latter chemical.

An unsaturated hydroxyl steroid that is formed by the oxidation of steroids (like cholesterol) and yields progesterone on dehydrogenation.

A varied group of physical and psychological symptoms, including abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, irritability, anxiety and depression that occur from 2 to 7 days before the onset of menstruation and cease shortly after menses begins.

A direction, usually written by the physician to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy.

Measures taken to prevent illness or injury, rather than curing them. Preventive care may include examinations and screening tests tailored to an individual’s age, health and family history. Also called preventive care or preventative medicine.

A hormone that prepares the uterus for the fertilized ovum and maintains pregnancy.

A protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland of mammals that acts with other hormones to initiate the secretion of milk by the mammary glands. It also acts to maintain the corpus luteum of the ovary, which is the source of the female sex hormone progesterone. In males, high levels of prolactin can cause testosterone levels to decrease.

A protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. PSA is present in small quantities in the serum of normal men and is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer and in other prostate disorders.

A molecular structure or site on the surface or interior of a cell that binds with substances such as hormones.

A molecule which is an isomer of triiodothyroniine and derived fromo thyroxine through the use of deiodinase. Blocks the action of T3.

The act of injecting oneself with a drug or other substance.

An inhibitory neurotransmitter required for sleep.

The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components after it has been allowed to clot.

A physiological need for sexual activity.

Any of a class of steroid hormones that regulate the growth and function of the reproductive organs or stimulate the development of the secondary sexual characteristics.

A glycoprotein produced by the liver cells that binds to sex hormones, specifically testosterone and estradiol.

A temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain’s respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness.