Which hormone is primarily responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics?

Estrogen is the hormone primarily responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. These characteristics typically include breast development, the widening of hips, and the distribution of body fat in a pattern that differs from males. Estrogen plays a critical role during puberty in promoting these changes, as well as in regulating the menstrual cycle and influencing various aspects of reproductive health throughout a woman's life. Understanding the role of estrogen is essential in the study of human biology and reproductive health, as it also impacts bone density, mood regulation, and cardiovascular health. Unlike other hormones mentioned, such as progesterone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, which have different primary functions in the body, estrogen specifically drives the development of female sexual characteristics.