Effects of Hormones on Gender

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Effects of Hormones on Gender

There are two main sex specific hormones- androgens for males and oestrogen for females. Differences in the production of these hormones, as well as oxytocin, can have effects on development and gender differences.

Hormones

Hormones are chemicals that are secreted by glands in the body.
Hormones affect the way the body works and develops. They can act over a long or short period of time.

Oestrogen and androgens

There are two main sex specific hormones:
- Oestrogen for females.
- Androgens for males. Testosterone is the main androgen.

Hormone production

Generally speaking, men will produce more testosterone than females and females will produce more oestrogen than males.
Each sex will produce the other type of hormone, but in lower quantities.
Differences in the production of these hormones, as well as oxytocin, can have effects on development and gender differences.

Oestrogen

It is believed that sex hormones affect the brain and therefore cause gender differences in behaviour.
The effect of oestrogen on female behaviour has been studied. - Oestrogen, in some women, can lead to premenstrual tension (PMT).
Symptoms of PMT include headaches, cramps, clumsiness, tiredness, mood swings, depression and aggression.

Easteal (1991)

Easteal (1991) believed that PMT could potentially be the reason behind criminality in females.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a syndrome whereby more testosterone is produced than usual.

CAH

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a syndrome whereby more testosterone is produced than usual.
It can occur in both sexes with different effects:
- If men have CAH, they will have early sexual development but otherwise will not have much of an effect.
- If females have CAH, the increased amounts of testosterone will cause the girls to become masculinised. They are generally more ‘tomboyish’.

Females with CAH

Girls with CAH generally prefer toys stereotypically meant for boys.
They are physically more masculine (deep voice, facial hair, wide shoulders).
Their growth rate is faster and puberty can happen earlier.

CAH and the female body

CAH can also cause ambiguous genitalia, meaning that it can be difficult to determine if they are male or female at birth.
Other symptoms include irregular menstrual cycle and potential fertility issues.

CAH and the brain

By studying individuals with CAH, scientists can better understand the role of sex hormones on development.
They believe that sex hormones affect the brain and therefore cause gender differences in behaviour.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is produced by both males and females.

Oxytocin and gender

Oxytocin is produced by both males and females.
However the higher levels of oestrogen in females causes a different effect on the brain.
Therefore, females could potentially feel a bigger effect from oxytocin as compared to males.

Importance of oxytocin

Oxytocin is believed to have an important impact on:
- Social recognition.
- Bonding.
- Attachment.

Rimmele et al. (2009)_

A study conducted in 2009 by Rimmele et al. discovered that higher levels of oxytocin in males improved their ability to recognise other people’s faces.
They did not know the faces beforehand.
Their ability to recognise objects and other non-social images did not improve.

Gender roles

The different responses to oxytocin has been used to potentially explain gender differences in roles.
For example, the role of the mother versus the father.
As oxytocin is released during labour to help aid labour and milk production, it also creates nurturing feelings.