You and Your Hormones

referring background level of activity of a gland or muscle during a rest period.

the word benign is often used to refer to a medical condition that is not cancerous and usually will not become life-threatening. However, it may require treatment, e.g. a benign pituitary adenoma, to avoid health complications.

a special group of cells found in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Beta cells produce the hormone insulin, which they release into the bloodstream when the blood sugar level is high.

a class of medications that are particularly used to manage abnormal heart rhythms, and to protect the heart from a second heart attack after a first heart attack. They are also widely used to treat high blood pressure by blocking the action of the hormone adrenaline.

refers to the chemical makeup of the body. Levels of certain biochemical markers found in the blood can indicate or rule out certain medical conditions.

the passage through which a baby travels during labour and birth; includes the womb, cervix, vagina and vulva.

a class of drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis. They work by preventing bone cells from breaking down.

(BMI) a calculation used to determine a person's weight to height ratio. BMI is defined as weight (kg) divided by height (m2). The BMI of a normal weight adult is 20.0–24.9; overweight = 25.0–29.9; obese = 30.0–39.9; severe (or morbid) obesity = 40+.