Sex - Basic Aspects of Human Sexuality

The Role of Hormones: What are hormones?

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Hormones (gr. hormaein: to stimulate) are chemical substances produced by internally secreting (gr. endocrine) glands. These substances enter the bloodstream and stimulate various processes inside the body. In the context of human sexuality, the following three endocrine glands are especially important: 1. the pituitary gland, 2. the female or male gonads (ovaries or testicles) and 3. the adrenal glands.

1. The pituitary gland is a peanut-size organ located beneath the brain, and it produces hormones which stimulate other glands, for example, the gonads. For this reason, it is also sometimes called the "master gland".

2. The gonads:
The ovaries produce, a.o. the so-called 'female' hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The testicles produce a.o. the so-called 'male' hormone testosterone.

3. The adrenal glands also produce a small portion of all of these hormones.