🧠 Glands, Hormones & Steroids – How Your Body Stays in Control

Learn how your body works silently behind the scenes to keep you healthy and balanced.

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🧬 What Are Glands?

Glands are special organs in the body that produce and release important substances like hormones. These hormones act like chemical messengers, traveling through the blood to control vital body functions such as growth, metabolism, emotions, sleep, and reproduction.

There are two main types of glands:

• ✅ Endocrine glands: These release hormones directly into the bloodstream.
• ✅ Exocrine glands: These use small tubes (called ducts) to send substances like sweat, saliva, and digestive juices to specific areas.

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🌟 What Are Hormones?

Hormones are powerful chemicals made by glands. They control how your body works — from energy levels to mood, sleep, and reproduction.

Think of hormones like WhatsApp messages sent inside your body to keep everything running smoothly. They’re made from proteins, amino acids, or fats and are released when your body needs them.

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🧪 Types of Glands in the Body

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✅ Endocrine Glands (Ductless – release into the blood)

Here are the 9 major endocrine glands:

1. Pituitary Gland – The Master Gland
   • Located at the base of the brain
   • Controls other glands
   • Releases hormones like:
     • Growth Hormone (GH) – body growth
     • FSH/LH – fertility and reproductive hormones
     • TSH – stimulates the thyroid
     • ADH – controls water balance
2. Pineal Gland – The Third Eye
   • Deep in the brain, behind the third ventricle
   • Produces Melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle
3. Thyroid Gland – The Metabolism Controller
   • Butterfly-shaped, in the front of the neck
   • Produces:
     • Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) – control energy and metabolism
     • Calcitonin – helps regulate calcium levels
4. Parathyroid Glands
   • Four tiny glands behind the thyroid
   • Produce Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) – balances calcium and phosphorus in the blood
5. Adrenal Glands – The Stress Responders
   • Located above each kidney
   • Produce:
     • Adrenaline (Epinephrine) – for emergency “fight or flight” reactions
     • Cortisol – manages stress and metabolism
     • Aldosterone – controls salt and water balance
   • 🔄 These are purely endocrine glands
6. Pancreas – Dual Function Gland
   • Found behind the stomach
   • Has both:
     • Endocrine function: releases Insulin and Glucagon to control blood sugar
     • Exocrine function: sends digestive enzymes to the intestines
7. Ovaries (Females)
   • On either side of the uterus
   • Produce:
     • Estrogen – controls female characteristics and menstrual cycle
     • Progesterone – supports pregnancy
8. Testes (Males)
   • Located in the scrotum
   • Produce Testosterone – responsible for sperm production and male traits
9. Kidneys – Supportive Hormone Role
   • Bean-shaped organs on either side of the spine
   • Produce Erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production
   • ⚠️ Note: Kidneys aren’t typically classified as endocrine glands but they do secrete important hormones.

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✅ Exocrine Glands (With Ducts – release onto surfaces or into organs)

Here are 8 major exocrine glands:

1. Sweat Glands – remove toxins and help regulate body temperature
2. Salivary Glands – release saliva to begin food digestion
3. Mammary Glands – produce breast milk in females
4. Ceruminous Glands – produce earwax to protect ears
5. Lacrimal Glands – produce tears to clean and lubricate the eyes
6. Sebaceous Glands – release oil (sebum) to keep skin and hair moisturized
7. Prostate Gland (in men) – adds fluid to semen and helps sperm travel
8. Mucous Glands – secrete mucus in the airways to keep them moist and trap dust

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💞 Meet Some Important Hormones

Hormone	Function	Produced By
Oxytocin	Love, bonding, childbirth	Hypothalamus → Pituitary
Vasopressin	Trust, bonding, water balance	Hypothalamus → Pituitary
Dopamine	Pleasure, motivation, memory	Brain
Melatonin	Sleep-wake cycle	Pineal Gland
Insulin	Lowers blood sugar	Pancreas
Adrenaline	Emergency response, stress	Adrenal Glands

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💊 What Are Steroids?

Steroids are man-made chemicals that mimic natural hormones. Some are used to treat diseases, others are illegally misused to build muscle or boost performance.

There are two main types:

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🏋️ Anabolic Steroids (Muscle Builders)

• Help build muscle and increase testosterone
• Used (and misused) by athletes or bodybuilders
• Examples: Nandrolone, Oxandrolone, Stanozolol, Trenbolone
• ⚠️ Misuse can cause:
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Serious health risks

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🛡️ Catabolic Steroids (Inflammation Fighters)

• Used to treat allergies, asthma, arthritis, and autoimmune conditions
• Suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation
• Examples: Prednisone, Cortisone, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone

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❗ Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

🧔 In Men:

• Breast growth
• Shrinking testicles
• Low sperm count
• Impotence

👩 In Women:

• Facial/body hair growth
• Deep voice
• Irregular periods
• Smaller breasts

👦 In Teens:

• Stunted growth
• Girls may develop masculine features

❤️ In All:

• Mood swings
• Heart and liver problems
• Increased aggression
• Risk of addiction or delusions

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✅ Quick Recap

• Glands release hormones that control vital functions.
• Hormones help regulate growth, mood, energy, sleep, and more.
• Steroids are useful medications but can be dangerous when misused.
• Always use hormones and steroids only under medical guidance.

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💬 FAQ

Q: Are all steroids harmful?
👉 No. Medical steroids (like cortisone) are safe when used under doctor supervision.

Q: Can I improve hormone health naturally?
👉 Yes! Regular sleep, exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet help balance hormones.

Q: Can hormone imbalance affect my daily life?
👉 Absolutely. It can lead to fatigue, weight gain, sleep problems, mood swings, and more.

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🔗 For More Insights

Visit OurUniqueBody.com for more easy-to-understand health topics!