The reproductive hormones estradiol and progesterone bathe our internal organs. They have profound influence over the central and peripheral nervous system. While these steroids have been studied for many years, recent advances indicate that many actions of estradiol in the nervous system are mediated by receptors located on the cell membrane, suggesting more of a neurotransmitter than a hormonal role. My lab is working to understand the multiple mechanisms and circuits through which estrogen and progesterone affect cell types in different systems to affect reproduction, behavior, pain transmission and neuroprotection.