A small number of women make too little or none of the two

 

 

 

 

 

hormones
Hormones are chemicals that are made in certain parts of the body. They travel through the bloodstream and have an effect on other parts of the body. For example, the female sex hormone estrogen is made in a woman's ovaries. Estrogen has many different effects on a woman's body. It makes the breasts grow at puberty and helps control periods. It is also needed to get pregnant.

 

 

 

 

 

hormones that make ovulation happen. When this happens it is called hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. The hormones involved are called luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

This can happen if you lose a lot of weight or if you have a condition called

 

 

 

 

 

anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder. People who have anorexia starve themselves because they think they are too fat. They do this even when they are very thin. It is most common among teenage girls. Doctors may call it anorexia nervosa.

 

 

 

 

 

anorexia.

See What happens every month to learn more about these hormones.

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