That is the reason these glands are also known as ductless glands. Hormones deliver their messages by locking into the cells they are targeting so they can relay the message. Conditions that can affect the endocrine system, Everything You Should Know About Hormonal Imbalance. Learn more. Sometimes, hormone levels can be too high or too low. What is Endocrine System? 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |. The 8 Best Veggie Burgers for Your Meat-Free Routine, increases blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism in reaction to stress, controls the body’s salt and water balance, aids in production of body odor and growth of body hair during puberty, controls the production of eggs and sperm, helps to increase levels of blood glucose, helps to reduce your blood glucose levels, controls estrogen and testosterone production as well as ovulation, helps with lactation, childbirth, and mother-child bonding, controls calcium levels in bones and blood, helps to prepare the body for pregnancy when an egg is fertilized, contributes to sex drive and body density in males and females as well as development of male sex characteristics, help to control several body functions, including the rate of metabolism and energy levels, fatty deposits in the face, midsection, or shoulders, stretch marks, particularly on the arms, thighs, and abdomen, slow healing of cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, decreased sex drive and fertility in males. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Some of the most common disorders are: Chemicals called endocrine disrupters can also affect the endocrine system. The main glands that produce hormones include: Dozens of conditions can cause issues in the endocrine system. Learn about their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These conditions can lead to health problems all over the body. Some common symptoms of diabetes include: Treatment for diabetes can include blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, and medications. Sudden episodes of rapid heart hearts or elevated blood pressure. A hormone imbalance can wreak havoc with everything from sleep to sex drive. Simply put, the endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones to help your body function properly. The endocrine system is a complex network of glands, hormones and receptors. These chemicals help coordinate your body’s functions, from metabolism to growth and development, emotions, mood, sexual function and even sleep. The suprarenal gland (adrenal gland) is located at the top of each kidney; therefore each person has two suprarenal glands. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Keep reading to discover more about the endocrine system, what it does, and the hormones it produces. These hormones help to develop breasts at adolescence, support a pregnancy, and control the menstrual cycle. This lesson introduces the endocrine system and provides a brief overview of each endocrine gland. Hormones … Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, The Best Baby Toothpaste to Shine Up Those Sweet Smiles. Call your provider if you have: Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/12/2020. Some glands are tiny, about the size of a grain of rice or a pea. 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