Human Sexuality: Hormones And Sexuality

Chemical substances that are secreted by ductless glands into the bloodstream. They are carried in the blood to other parts of the body, where they exert their effects on other glands or target organs. hormones A network of ductless glands that secrete their chemical substances, called hormones, directly into the bloodstream where they are carried to other parts of the body to exert their effects. Endocrine system A hormone that is produced by the testicles (and in very small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands). Testosterone A hormone that is produced by the ovaries (and in very small amounts by the testicles and adrenal glands). Estrogen A hormone that is produced in large amounts by the ovaries after ovulation. It prepares the endometrium of the uterus to nourish a fertilized egg. Progesterone A gonadotropin hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the development of a follicle in a woman's ovary and the production of sperm in a man's testicles. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) A gonadotropin hormone released by the pituitary glad that triggers ovulation in women and stimulates the production of male hormones in men. Luteinizing hormone (LH) A hormone released from the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production in the breasts. Prolactin A pituitary hormone associated with milk release, labor and orgasmic contractions, and erotic attraction and touch. Oxytocin A hormone released by the hypothalamus in the brain that causes the pituitary gland to release the hormones FSH and LH. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) A hormone produced by the testicles and ovaries that inhibits release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland. Inhibin The monthly cycle of hormonal events in a woman that leads to ovulation and menstruation. Menstrual Cycle A sac in the ovary containing an ovum and surrounding follicular cells. Follicle The monthly discharge of endometrial tissue, blood, and other secretions from the uterus that occurs when an egg is not fertilized. Menstruation The follicular cells that remain in the ovary after the follicle expels the ovum during ovulation. They begin to secrete progesterone in large quantities in the postovulatory stage. Corpus luteum Chemical substances secreted externally by animals that convey information to, and produce specific responses in, members of the same species. Pheromones The cycle of hormonal events that occurs in most nonhuman mammals. The females are sexually receptive ("in heat," or estrus) to males only during ovulation Estrous cycle Incorrect negative attitudes about menstruating women. Menstrual taboos The absence of menstruation for 6 months or longer. Amenorrhea The term for a girl's first menstrual period Menarche A group of physical and/or emotional changes that many women experience in the last 3 to 14 days before the start of a menstrual period. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) A severe form of PMS that markedly interferes with social relations, work, or education. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Painful menstruation Dysmenorrhea Heavy vaginal bleeding Menorrhagia The growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Endometriosis A syndrome with symptoms of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness; caused by toxins produced by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) Synthetic steroid hormones that combine the growth (anabolic) effects of adrenal steroids with the masculinizing effects of androgenic steroids. Anabolic steroids Produce small amounts of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Adrenal glands Preovulatory phase when the pituitary secretes FSH and the follicle secretes estrogen. Follicular or proliferative phase The gland located at the base of the brain that secretes follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Pituitary gland If an egg is fertilized by a sperm and implantation occurs, the corpus luteium is maintained by a hormone from the developing placenta called... Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) Postovulatory phase when the corpus luteum begins to secrete large amounts of progesterone Luteal phase Cramps experienced for about a day during ovulation Mittelschmerz Substances that cause contractions of the uterus Prostaglandins True or False: Hormones are important for women's sexual desire, but not for men's. False True or False: Testosterone is found only in men, and estrogen is found only in women. False True or False: All female mammals have menstrual cycles. False True or False: Most women's menstrual cycles are 28 days in length. False True or False: It is medically safe for a man have sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman. True True or False: Women who use tampons should change them three or four times a day, even if the tampons are advertised as long lasting. True True or False: Women show a dramatic increase in sexual desire around the time of ovulation. False True or False: Women's ovaries produce new eggs throughout their lifetimes. False True or False: Near the end of the postovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, there is an LH surge. False True or False: There is some evidence suggesting that women's menstrual cycles can be altered by odorless body secretions. True True or False: Only women can get toxic shock syndrome. False True or False: Estrogen, according to most research, is the primary hormone responsible for sexual desire in women. False