Hormones & STDs: A Comprehensive Overview
Major Hormones: Origin and Function
Endocrine Glands and Hormones
| Hormone | Gland | Physiological Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Thyrotropin | Anterior Pituitary | Controls the thyroid and stimulates thyroxine production. |
| Adrenocorticotropin | Anterior Pituitary | Stimulates hormone production in the adrenal cortex. |
| Somatotropin | Anterior Pituitary | Stimulates growth. |
| Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | Anterior Pituitary | Stimulates Graafian follicle formation in the ovary. |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | Anterior Pituitary | Regulates testosterone and progesterone production. |
| Prolactin (LTH) | Anterior Pituitary | Stimulates milk production. |
| Oxytocin | Posterior Pituitary | Stimulates uterine contractions during labor. |
| Vasopressin | Posterior Pituitary | Stimulates smooth muscle contractions and has antidiuretic effects. |
| Thyroxine | Thyroid | Controls metabolism. Deficiency causes goiter and cretinism; excess causes exophthalmos. |
| Calcitonin | Thyroid | Parathyroid hormone antagonist. |
| Parathyroid Hormone | Parathyroid | Regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism. |
| Insulin | Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans) | Controls blood sugar concentration. Deficiency leads to diabetes. |
| Glucagon | Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans) | Converts liver glycogen into glucose. |
| Aldosterone | Adrenal Cortex | Regulates sodium and potassium metabolism. |
| Cortisone | Adrenal Cortex | Stimulates protein-carbohydrate conversion. |
| Epinephrine | Adrenal Medulla | Controls responses to dangerous situations, stimulates heartbeat, and dilates pupils. |
| Norepinephrine | Adrenal Medulla | Constricts blood vessels. |
| Testosterone | Testes | Development of male sexual characteristics. |
| Androsterone | Testes | Contributes to male secondary sexual characteristics. |
| Estradiol | Ovaries | Stimulates female sexual characteristics and influences female sexual behavior. |
| Progesterone | Ovaries | Regulates the menstrual cycle, prepares the uterus for implantation, and prepares for breastfeeding. |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
STDs are infections acquired through sexual contact with an infected person. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites, and viruses. There are over 20 types of STDs.
The Public Health Impact of STDs
- An estimated 19 million new STD cases occur annually in the United States, with about half affecting young people aged 15-24.
- STDs have a significant economic impact, with direct medical costs estimated at $15.9 billion annually.
- Many STDs are asymptomatic, so many infected individuals are unaware of their status. Testing is crucial for diagnosis.
Causes of STD Transmission Among Teens
- Increasingly early sexual activity.
- Frequent partner changes.
- Inconsistent condom or spermicide use.
- Asymptomatic infections, leading to unknowingly spreading the disease.
Transmission
STDs are primarily transmitted through intimate contact with an infected person. While genital contact is most common, oral and anal sex can also transmit infections. Some STDs, like chancroid and crabs, can spread through self-contact. Others, like genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and vaginal candidiasis, can be acquired non-sexually. Gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydial infections can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, potentially causing severe congenital issues. While STDs initially affect the external genitalia, they can spread to the prostate, uterus, testicles, and other nearby organs. Many cause irritation, itching, and mild pain, but some, like gonorrhea and chlamydial urethritis, can cause female infertility.
Main STDs
| Disease | Pathogen | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) | Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) | Weakens the immune system. |
| Syphilis | Treponema pallidum (Spirochete) | Causes chancres, generalized rash, and potentially lymphadenopathy and progressive paralysis. |
| Gonorrhea | Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Bacteria) | Causes inflammation of the vaginal mucosa in women and urethral infection in men. |
| Genital Herpes | Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 | Causes fever and genital ulcerations. |
| Chancroid | Haemophilus ducreyi (Bacteria) | Causes painful genital ulcers. |
| Lymphogranuloma Venereum | Chlamydia trachomatis (Bacteria) | Causes genital vesicles, fever, headache, and joint pain. |
| Trichomoniasis | Trichomonas vaginalis (Protozoan) | Causes itching, irritation, and discharge in women; can affect the prostate in men. |
| Vaginal Candidiasis | Candida albicans (Fungus) | Causes a white, itchy discharge. |