The adrenal cortex produces hormones that controls sex (androgens, estrogens), salt (aldosterone), sugar (cortisol), whereas the medulla produces hormones involved in the fight or flight response (epinephrine and norepinephrine adrenaline).įigure 2: The capsule of the adrenal gland under microscope magnification, as well as the three layers, zona glomerulosa (ZG), zona fasciculata (ZF) and zona reticularis (ZR) of the adrenal cortex, responsible for producing adrenal cortex hormones.Īlterations in sex-steroid hormones such as androgens and estrogens can, of course, lead to sexual dysfunction. Both women and men have a nice benefit to their sex lives from adrenal surgery and cure of their adrenal tumor.įigure 1 summarizes some of the health benefits of sex Sex, sexual dysfunction, and adrenal tumors How do adrenal hormones normally affect sex drive and sexual function? Thus, adrenal tumor disease can seriously affect the sexual function and cause strain in a marriage.
Sexual dysfunction and loss of sexual desire and interest in sex is common in patients with adrenal tumors, due to overproduction of adrenal hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline-type hormones, catecholamines). This blog post will touch on the sensitive but very important topic: Sex, sexual dysfunction, and adrenal tumors.
