“Hormones” and “period” are both associated with menstruation, reproduction, and emotions. However, hormones specifically pertain to the body’s chemical messengers which are secreted into the blood stream by the endocrine glands. On the other hand, period particularly refers to the menstruation cycle which is facilitated by the female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. The following paragraphs further delve into such differences.
What is “Hormones”?
Hormones came from the Greek word, “hormōn”, which translates to “impel” or “set in motion”. These chemicals set several physiological mechanisms in motion such as growth, lactation, and menstruation. They are produced by the endocrine glands and are secreted into the blood stream; thus, making their impact quite potent.
The following are some of the major hormones and their functions secreted by their respective endocrine glands:
| Endocrine Gland | Hormones | Functions |
| Pituitary Gland | Growth hormone | Facilitates growth and maintains tissues and organs |
| Adrenocorticotropic Hormone | Targets the adrenal gland to secrete its hormone | |
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone | Targets the thyroid to secrete its hormone | |
| Luteinizing Hormone | Stimulate the sex-glands to produce their respective hormones | |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone | ||
| Prolactin | Stimulates the mammary glands for milk production | |
| Anti-diuretic hormone | Facilitates the kidneys’ water retention | |
| Pineal Gland | Melatonin | Induces sleep |
| Thyroid Gland | Thyroxin | Metabolism, body-temperature regulation, affects emotions |
| Parathyroid Gland | Parathormone | Controls level of calcium and phosphorous |
| Thymus | T-lymphocytes | Strengthens immune system |
| Adrenals | Adrenaline and Noradrenaline | Controls emergency and stress responses |
| Pancreas | Glucagon | Increases blood sugar level |
| Insulin | Decreases blood sugar level | |
| Ovaries | Estrogen and Progesterone | Regulates secondary sex characteristics, sexual behavior, pregnancy, and menstrual cycle |
| Testes | Testosterone | Regulates secondary sex characteristics, sexual behavior, and sperm production |
What is Period?
“Period” came from the Greek word “periodos” which literally means “orbit”, “course”, or “recurrence”. As women have their menses “recurrently”, having one’s “period” is one of the popular colloquial terms. Most women have their first periods by age 12 or 13 and stop getting them at the age of 45 to 55.
The following are the phases of the menstrual cycle:
- Menstruation: The thickened lining of the uterus which is composed of blood, endometrial cells, and mucus flows out through the vagina.
- Follicular stage: The pituitary gland secretes follicle stimulating hormone, a chemical that targets the ovaries to produces follicles which contain immature eggs. Normally, only one follicle fully grows into a mature egg.
- Ovulation: The mature egg is then released and funneled to the uterus through the fallopian tube.
- Luteal stage: After the egg comes out from its follicle, the broken follicle develops into a structure called the corpus luteum which releases hormones to thicken the uterus lining for the implantation of the fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum expires which causes the uterus lining to fall away as menses (first phase).
Difference between Hormones and Period
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Definition
Hormones are chemical messengers which are produced by the endocrine system while period is a euphemism for menstruation cycle.
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Function
Hormones regulate various body mechanisms such as menstruation while having a period eliminates the dead corpus luteum and other uterine wastes when pregnancy does not occur.
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Medical Term
Hormones is more of a medical term as period is a euphemism for the more technical term, menstruation cycle.
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Etymology
Hormones came from the Greek word, “hormōn”, which translates to “impel” or “set in motion”. Period came from the Greek word “periodos” which literally means “orbit”, “course”, or “recurrence”.
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Cause and Effect
Hormones, specifically estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone cause periods to occur.
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Range of Meaning
Regarding its range of meaning, “hormones” is more specific as it refers to the chemical messengers in the body. On the other hand, “period” may refer to conjunction, span of time, or menstruation.
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Types
There are more or less 50 different types of hormones which circulate in the human body. On the other hand, a period may be generally classified into four: heavy or menorrhagia, painful or dysmenorrhea, irregular or oligomenorrhea, and missed or amenorrhea.
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Location
Since hormones are secreted into the blood stream, they are situated in the different parts of the body. On the contrary, period is only confined in the uterus and vagina.
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Gender
Hormones are associated with both males and females while period only occurs among females.
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Developmental Stage
Hormones are present in various levels all throughout the lifespan while periods only start to occur during puberty and end during the menopausal stage.
Hormones vs Period
Summary of Hormones vs Period
- “Hormones” and “period” are both associated with menstruation, reproduction, and emotions.
- Hormones are produced by their respective endocrine glands.
- The main hormones responsible for menstruation are estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone.
- The key glands responsible for menstruation are the pituitary gland and ovaries.
- Hormones specifically pertain to the body’s chemical messengers while period particularly refers to the menstruation cycle.
- Hormones is more of a medical term than period.
- Hormones came from the Greek word, “hormōn”, which translates “set in motion” while period came from the Greek word “periodos” which means “recurrence”.
- Hormones cause periods to occur.
- Period has more varied meanings.
- There are around 50 types of hormones while there are generally four types of periods.
- Hormones permeate the body while one’s period only involves the uterus and the vagina.
- Hormones involve both sexes while periods only occur in females.
- Hormones are present all throughout the lifespan while periods commence during puberty and end during menopause.