Hormones affect growth, reproduction, mood, sexual function and metabolism. Even small imbalances can cause huge problems. To stay balanced, hormone levels can be tested in three ways.

The female hormone, estrogen, is produced in the ovaries. It is responsible for the growth of the female sex organs and mammary glands. It is also responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, and plays a role in sex drive. As women age, the amount of estrogen produced decreases.

According to Health-Science, estrogen is the group of steroidal hormones produced by ovaries that play an important role in a female's reproductive cycle as well as in developing and maintaining female sexual characteristics, such as breasts and menstruation.

For many teenagers, acne is a rite of passage, marking the transition from puberty to adolescence, and finally clearing up in adulthood. Most adults never imagine having to deal with it in later life, but for some--mainly women--acne remains.

Fluctuations in the key female hormones–estrogen and progesterone–can cause a number of symptoms including irregular menstrual cycles, an increase in bad cholesterol in the blood, sleep problems and hot flashes.

The Natural Hormones website suggests that progesterone levels may fluctuate during the course of a woman’s normal menstrual cycle, and low progesterone levels are common during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with low progesterone levels may suffer from estrogen dominance.

Hair is a form of dead protein that pushes through the layer of skin on the scalp. Through a normal life cycle, hair goes through a growing phase, a resting phase and a shedding phase. As the hair is shedding, the growing phase begins all over again.

Honey is a sugar-rich syrup that is purported to be a beneficial sweetener because it contains natural sugar, rather than artificial sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup. While honey can be beneficial in some ways, one nutritional use for which honey is unlikely to be beneficial is increasing testosterone.

Chasteberry, also referred to as vitex, chaste tree and agnus castus, has a long history of use for addressing a variety of conditions triggered by female hormonal imbalances. Examples include breast tenderness, premenstrual syndrome and infertility.

Infertility affects approximately one out of every six couples, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Although there are many reasons why a couple may be infertile, hormonal imbalances are one common cause.

Testosterone is a steroid sex hormone that plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy libido in men and women. In men, the testes and the adrenal glands are the main providers of testosterone. The ovaries and adrenal glands produce the hormone in women.

Aloe is a family of succulent plants, collectively called aloe vera. The thick leaves of the aloe plant contain a viscous gel, rich in compounds thought to have medicinal properties. However, the full range of health effects from taking aloe are not yet known, and aloe might cause side effects.