What are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that travel in the blood to organs and tissues signaling them to do the work they were designed to do.
They can affect many different processes in the body, including reproduction, sexual function, metabolism, growth and development, and even mood.
Men and women both have hormones, and hormone levels change and develop as the individual grows and ages.
These days most people blame anything and everything on hormones. Let’s analyze whether actually hormones are responsible for our problems or our lifestyle is the culprit.
Ok, let’s agree that hormonal disturbances cause problems like PCO, infertility, Low AMH, irregular cycles, or menopausal disturbances. But the question is what has caused this hormonal imbalance?
There is only one answer: Our Lifestyle!!
Yes, these problems are lifestyle disorders. They were not there when we were born, we have acquired them through our wrong lifestyle.
How Hormones Affect Women in their Lifetime
In young girls, hormones trigger bone growth and health, and signal the start of puberty as the body matures. This can cause breast tenderness, acne, mood swings, and menstrual cramps.
Then comes menstruation. Hormones are also crucial for the start of menstruation. Puberty typically occurs between the ages of 12 and 14.
As the body grows and the woman enters her childbearing years, her hormones are responsible for muscle mass changes and weight control. They also play a fundamental role in pregnancy.
Hormone imbalances during this stage may cause:
- Skin changes
- Mood changes
- Weight gain
- Low energy
- Low libido
At about age 45, most women begin to leave their childbearing days behind, entering a stage known as menopause, wherein hormone levels begin to change to prevent pregnancy.
Some women face bone loss. During this time, mood swings, hot flashes, sleep problems, and urinary or vaginal discomfort are common.
Keeping Hormones in Balance
Natural hormonal development is essential for health, especially in women. Hormonal harmony can be achieved by following a healthy lifestyle, good diet, and getting about 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity. Both men and women should strive for three meals per day that are low fat and low sugar, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
Hormones are a vital part of your body’s overall health. If you are struggling with hormonal problems or have symptoms that could be related to hormonal problems, start working on improving your lifestyle and you will greatly benefit from it.
Dr. Nimarjeet Rajpal
