The Role of Estradiol and Progesterone on Appetite Regulation and Energy Balance

Inclusion Criteria: * ages 18-30 years * deemed healthy using Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Get Active Questionnaire (CSEP-GAQ) * non-smoking Exclusion Criteria: * failure to meet inclusion criteria * contraindications to exercise as indicated by the (CSEP-GAQ) * hypersensitivity or allergy to estradiol, progesterone, cellulose, or capsule components * having been diagnosed with any metabolic disease (ie. diabetes, metabolic syndrome) or current diagnosis of overweight/obesity (BMI \> 30.0) * personal of family history of stroke or thrombotic (blood clot) disease, blood clot disorder, venous or arterial thromboembolic disease, or any possible blood clotting disease * currently taking anticoagulants, antidiabetic medications, cyclosporine, antihypertensives, and CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors (e.g., rifampin, ketoconazole, St. John's Wort) * known liver dysfunction or liver disease * history of ophthalmic vascular disease * hormone-dependent malignancies or previous diagnosis of cancer * recent major surgery (within \~6 months) * prolonged use of a cast or presence of immobility deeming inability to exercise, diagnosis of inflammatory disorders (ie. rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease) * history of sensitivity to or extreme nausea/vomiting or any gastrointestinal disorder * diagnosis of mental health or mood disorder * presence of abnormal eating behaviours as assessed by the Food Cravings State Questionnaire a…