• Menopause
• Vaginal Changes

What Hormones are Produced in the Ovaries?

Published: August 05, 2025
Updated: August 05, 2025
4 mins

The ovaries are small, almond-shaped organs located on either side of the uterus. A part of the female reproductive system, their primary roles are to release eggs for fertilization and produce hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and more. 

While they’re often associated with fertility, the hormones produced by ovaries are essential for far more than reproduction – they influence everything from mood and metabolism to bone health and cardiovascular function. Two hormones produced in the ovaries are progesterone and estrogen, both of which play a critical role in maintaining hormonal balance throughout a woman’s life. 

Throughout life, the production of these hormones shifts, leading to physical and emotional changes that can impact overall well-being. Understanding how these ovarian hormones function – and what happens when levels fluctuate – can help you take a more proactive approach to your health. 

Here’s an overview of the key hormones produced by the ovaries:

• Estrogens

  • Estrone (E1)

  • Estradiol (E2)

  • Estriol (E3)

• Progesterone: Essential for regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy

• Inhibin: Helps regulate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which controls egg development

• Relaxin: Prepared the body for pregnancy and childbirth by relaxing ligaments and supporting cardiovascular adaptation

• Androgens: Small amounts of male hormones like testosterone are also produced in the ovaries and help support libido, energy, vitality

Estrogen

Estrogen is often the first hormone that comes to mind when we talk about female hormones. But there’s a lot more to it than you’d think. For instance, estrogen isn’t a single hormone, and each type of estrogen plays a role at different life stages. It’s a group of hormones with three primary forms:

• Estrone (E1): Produced primarily in body fat and the adrenal glands, estrone becomes the dominant type when ovarian function declines. It’s the main form of estrogen after menopause. 

• Estradiol (E2): The most powerful and prevalent form during the reproductive years. It’s produced mainly by the ovaries in response to hormonal signals during the menstrual cycle.

• Estriol (E3): The least potent of the three, but produced in large quantities during pregnancy by the placenta.

Estrogen has wide-reaching effects across the body. It helps regulate mood, supports healthy skin, maintains bone density, protects the heart and blood vessels, and even influences cognitive function. When estrogen levels drop – as they do in perimenopause and menopause – women may experience symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and changes in skin and hair.

Progesterone

Progesterone is one of the key hormones produced by the ovaries, alongside estrogen. It’s primarily released after ovulation by the corpus luteum, a temporary structure that forms in the ovary once an egg has been released. 

This hormone plays a critical role in preparing the uterus for a potential pregnancy. It thickens the uterine lining to support implantation and helps maintain early pregnancy if fertilization occurs.

Progesterone also affects mood stability, metabolism, and regulation of the menstrual cycle. It has a calming effect on the brain and can promote better sleep and reduced anxiety for some women during the luteal phase of their cycle.

As women enter perimenopause and menopause, progesterone levels begin to decline – often more rapidly than estrogen. This hormonal shift can lead to irregular periods, mood changes, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Understanding these changes can help guide treatment options and support better overall health during the transition.

Inhibin

Inhibin is another important hormone produced by the ovaries, specifically by the granulosa cells that surround developing eggs within the follicles.

Its main role is to suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone released by the pituitary gland that, along with luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulates ovaries and testes to produce reproductive cells and hormones. In women, FSH triggers the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, while LH supports ovulation and hormone production. 

Inhibin acts as part of a feedback loop to help regulate this process. When estrogen and inhibin levels rise during the menstrual cycle, they signal the pituitary to reduce FSH output, preventing overstimulation of the ovaries and helping maintain hormonal balance. This finely tuned system is essential for normal egg development, menstrual cycle regulation, and overall reproductive health.

Relaxin

Relaxin is a hormone produced by the corpus luteum early in pregnancy and later by the placenta as pregnancy progresses. While it's most well known for its role in preparing the body for childbirth, its effects go beyond the reproductive system.

During pregnancy, relaxin helps soften ligaments and relax the pelvic joints, making it easier for the body to adapt to a growing fetus and ultimately for the baby to pass through the birth canal.

In addition to its musculoskeletal effects, relaxin also plays a role in the cardiovascular and renal systems. It can help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and support the kidneys in managing the increased fluid volume that comes with pregnancy. Though its primary function is reproductive, relaxin is another example of how ovarian hormones impact multiple systems throughout the body.

How Ovarian Hormone Production Changes Over Time

Ovarian hormone production doesn’t stay constant – it evolves significantly throughout a woman’s life. During puberty, the ovaries ramp up hormone production in response to signals from the brain. Surges in estrogen and other reproductive hormones initiate the menstrual cycle, breast development, and the ability to become pregnant. 

Throughout the reproductive years, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate in a regular monthly cycle, driving ovulation and menstruation. These hormonal rhythms also influence energy levels, skin health, libido, mood, and more. 

Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, brings more erratic patterns. Estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall unpredictably, which can cause symptoms like irregular periods, mood swings, night sweats, brain fog, and sleep disturbances.

Menopause marks the end of ovulation and menstrual cycles, with a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone production. This hormonal shift can lead to a range of physical and emotional changes, including:

• Slower metabolism and weight gain

• Reduced bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis

• Vaginal dryness and decreased libido

• Mood fluctuations or anxiety

• Disrupted sleep and fatigue

Where Can I Learn More About Hormone Balance?

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