The small but mighty adrenal glands produce a host of hormones that influence the health of both men and women. These glands are located at the top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands have two main parts, the outer cortex, which itself is divided...
The adrenal glands produce three types of steroid hormones: corticosteroids ("stress hormones"), androgens and mineralocorticoids. Steroid production occurs in steps; for example, progesterone can be made into the corticosteroids cortisol or...
The adrenal glands are hormone manufacturing organs located in the area above the kidneys. These glands produce hormones that are classified as catecholamines, corticosteroids, mineralocorticoids and androgens. Hormones of the adrenal glands...
The inner core of the adrenal gland secretes adrenaline, or epinephrine, which regulates blood pressure and heart rate. The outer layer of the adrenal gland produces three important types of steroid hormones: corticosteroids, mineralocortioids and...
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone naturally produced in the bodies of both men and women. Most of the circulating DHEA comes from the adrenal gland, but both testes (testicles) and ovaries produce some as well. DHEA acts as a...
Testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in males. Testosterone is responsible for the physical changes that males experience in puberty. This hormone is present in females but in a much smaller concentration. In females, the adrenal glands...
The adrenal glands are a set of paired organs located on top of the kidneys. Their function, however, is unrelated to that of the kidneys. Rather than providing filtration and excretion like the kidneys do, the adrenal glands are hormone...
Puberty marks the time when hair starts to thicken or grow in areas where no hair grew before. While females can expect hair to thicken on the legs and grow in the armpits and genital area, males can expect thickened hair on the arms and legs, and...
Males need adequate levels of the hormone testosterone throughout development and adulthood to produce sperm and to maintain typical male characteristics. Testosterone levels vary widely at different points in development, and even in adult men,...
Androgens are hormones that masculinize the body. In women, this can manifest as features such as an uncommonly large amount of body hair. It is important to understand the effect of androgens on the body in order to spot the symptoms of excess...
The paired adrenal glands secrete several hormones that help regulate diverse actions in several body systems. The outer region of the gland, known as the adrenal cortex, produces aldosterone, cortisol and androgens, or male sex hormones. The...
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, also known as CAH, occurs in the fetal stage of development due to an imbalance of hormones. With CAH, hormones such as cortisol and aldesterol are in short supply, causing male hormones, called androgens, to...
An adrenal gland is found on the upper edge of each kidney, where it is attached to the kidney. Composed of two parts, the inner part of the gland is called the adrenal medulla. The outer part is the adrenal cortex. There are three areas, or...
The adrenals are glands near the kidneys that produce numerous hormones, including the sex hormones and cortisol. Because cortisol plays a large part in how the body deals with stress, the adrenals can become fatigued when you are under...
Acne is often long forgotten after the pubescent years. Sufferers of acne during puberty generally experience this condition as a psychological stressor. Many times acne negatively affects self-esteem, confidence and the perception of beauty....
The adrenal glands are located in the trunk of the body just above each kidney. As part of the endocrine system, these glands produce hormones that are vital for coordinating the proper balance of activity between the body's other organ systems....
Pimples are a form of acne that can occur anywhere on the body where sebacious glands are located. This includes the face, neck, shoulder, back and scalp. Sebacious glands produce a natural oil called sebum which is used to protect the skin and...
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in the United States. In fact, approximately 40 to 50 million Americans are currently dealing with acne, according to statistics provided by the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne can range in...
The adrenal glands produce several hormones that influence the body's water and salt balance and the metabolism of sugar, proteins and fat. Adrenal insufficiency is a condition wherein the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient levels of the...
Prostate cancer affects more than 233,000 men in the United States each year. Advanced prostate cancer is commonly treated with hormone therapy, as the male hormones feed the cancer, allowing it to spread. Many times the cancer will respond to...
For women, it's considered a "crowning glory," a symbol of youth, health and vitality. So, when hair thins, whether due to age or specific health conditions, the emotional impact can be devastating. Unfortunately, while potential treatments hold...
The most common cancer in men, prostate cancer grows slowly and causes no symptoms until it becomes advanced, according to the Merck Manual. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease but can include hormone therapy, which reduces production of...
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a precursor to androgen hormones that are essential for sexual health and quality of life in women. Women suffering from decreased levels of DHEA have reported symptoms of decreased fatigue and diminished sexual...
Excess facial hair is a sign of a condition known as hirsutism. Hirsutism refers to abundant growth of body and facial hair, predominately in women. Hormones and genetics are to blame when this condition is present. The adrenal glands are...
Women today are spending millions of dollars to remove the unwanted facial hair that is a normal part of their everyday life. Hair can grow on the upper lip, the chin and even the sideburn area. From expensive treatments, such as laser treatment,...
Disorders of the endocrine system affect the levels of hormones that circulate throughout the body. Glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, produce hormones. By regulating the amount of hormones they produce, these glands have...
Steroids are a type of hormone largely secreted by the adrenal glands and testicles or ovaries. They are derived from cholesterol, which is a fat soluble molecule. Enzymes in the cells of the adrenal glands, testicles or ovaries rearrange the...
Testosterone, the primary male hormone, or androgen, is produced by women as well as men. In women, the adrenal gland and ovaries produce androgens. High testosterone levels in women cause excess hair growth, cessation of menstrual periods, acne...
When women grow facial hair, it is often the sign of a condition known as hirsutism. Hirsutism is quite common, with an estimated one in 20 women affected at some point during her life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. During...
