Which hormone is primarily associated with female sexual development?

Estrogen is the hormone primarily associated with female sexual development. It plays a crucial role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, such as the development of breasts, the widening of the hips, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen is also integral for maintaining reproductive health throughout a woman's life, impacting various bodily functions beyond just the reproductive system, including bone density and cardiovascular health.

In contrast, while androgens, progesterone, and testosterone have important roles in both female and male development, they do not primarily govern female sexual development. Androgens are more associated with male characteristics, while testosterone is often viewed in the context of male sexual development, despite being present in women at lower levels. Progesterone is involved mainly in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy rather than the initial development of female sexual traits. Thus, estrogen is distinctively the primary hormone linked to female sexual development.