Question: What do sex hormones do? How do they affect men and women?
Sex hormones are produced by the ovaries in the woman and the testes in the man to give each sex its characteristic appearance. In men, they are responsible for the enlargement of the penis and scrotum at puberty, the development of facial hair and the ability to produce sperm and ejaculate. In women, the sex hormones that are produced for the first time at puberty cause breast enlargement, hair growth in the armpit and groin, ovulation, the start of menstrual periods, and later act to maintain a pregnancy.
If the sex hormones are reduced or lacking, these characteristics disappear. This happens naturally during the female menopause. During the transition from normal sex hormone production to no production in the menopause, there may be some irregular or inappropriate release of these hormones, causing the symptoms commonly associated with menopause such as irregular periods, irritability and hot flushes. After the menopause, the breasts sag, pubic and armpit hair becomes scanty, and the periods cease due to this lack of sex hormones. Men also go through a form of menopause, but more gradually, so the effects are far less obvious than in the female.
Sex hormones, and many synthesized drugs that act artificially as sex hormones, are used in medicine in two main areas—to correct natural deficiencies in sex hormone production; and to alter the balance between the two female hormones (oestrogen and progestogen) that cause ovulation, to prevent ovulation, and therefore act as a contraceptive. Female sex hormones can also be used to control some forms of recurrent miscarriage and prolong a pregnancy until a baby is mature enough to deliver, to control a disease called endometriosis, and to treat certain types of cancer.
Uncommonly, sex hormones can be used to alter the appearance of a person who wishes to change their sex. A small dose of male testosterone can increase the libido (sex drive) in women who are lacking this normal instinct.

Question: Could you explain the function of the adrenal glands and their connection to adrenalin?
The adrenal glands are part of the system that produces the body’s hormones (called the endocrine system). They sit on top of each kidney, a bit like a beanie. The glands are tiny—less than 5 cm long and weigh only a few grams—and yet produce more than three dozen hormones. The glands are divided into two quite distinct parts—an inner, reddish brown section called the medulla and an outer, yellow-colored section called the cortex. Each part has its own distinct function.
The hormones produced by the medulla in the adrenal gland include adrenalin, which causes the well-known ‘fight or flight’ response to danger. The medulla is part of the autonomic (unconscious) nervous system, and when the body becomes aware of danger through one of its senses, these hormones literally spurt out making the heart beat faster, increasing the blood sugar level, altering the blood flow and generally increasing the body’s capacity to deal with the emergency. Because many of the stresses of modern life do not require such a physical response, the release of adrenalin is sometimes inappropriate and the body has no way of using it up. If it happens too often it may eventually cause health problems.
The hormones produced by the cortex are steroids, of which there are three main groups. One group controls the balance of minerals in the body. Another group regulates the use the body makes of carbohydrates, and also plays a part in our ability to handle stress (cortisone is the most important hormone of this group). The third group affects the operation of our sex glands and influences our sexual development. Steroids are made from cholesterol, so a certain amount of cholesterol is necessary in our diet, provided it isn’t more than we need, which can cause heart problems. Like other glands in the endocrine system, the adrenal cortex is controlled by the pituitary gland, which sits under the brain.
If the adrenal glands are destroyed because of disease (eg. tuberculosis or cancer) or are overactive, the functioning of our entire body can be impaired. The most common disorders are called Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome.