The Adrenal Gland Plays an Important Role in Women’s Health

Our adrenal gland has an inner core that makes catecolamines, including norepinephrine and dopamine which helps regulate the nervous system of the body.

The outer core produces three types of steriods: mineralcorticoids, androgens and glucocorticoids. Mineralcorticoids include aldosterone which is responsible for our fluid and electrolyte balance; glucocorticoides includes cortisol which controls energy balance, immunity, and the stability of our cells, and androgens.

The adrenal gland is controlled by upper brain centers, much in the way our menstrual cycle is controlled by CRH which comes out of the hypothalamus, and ACTH which comes out of the pituitary.

Any menstrual cycle abnormality could be associated with an imbalance of the adrenal gland.

If you have an imbalance of your male hormones, it may be from an adrenal source, don’t always suspect the ovaries.

Some ethnic groups are more prone to adrenal sources of hormone imbalance including: Hispanic, Slavic, Mediterranean, and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Testosterone levels that are very high with normal ovaries could signal a tumor of the adrenal gland.