Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many aspects of sexual function, desire, and response. Key hormones involved in female sexuality include oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Key Hormones

• Oestrogen: Promotes vaginal lubrication, elasticity, and blood flow. Fluctuates during the menstrual cycle, affecting libido and arousal. See menstrual_cycle.
• Progesterone: Rises after ovulation, can dampen sexual desire in some women.
• Testosterone: Present in lower amounts in women, but important for libido and sexual sensitivity.
• Oxytocin: The "bonding hormone," released during orgasm and intimate touch, increases emotional connection. See orgasm.

Writing Tips

• Show how hormonal changes affect mood, desire, and physical response.
• Use hormonal context to add realism to characters' sexual experiences.

Related Topics

• libido
• menstrual_cycle
• orgasm
• sexual_differentiation