Our bodies are complex. There are many molecules and compounds that work together to ensure everything functions as it should. Hormones are the chemical messengers associated with regulating metabolism, mood, reproduction, and even growth. When hormones go out of balance, it can cause serious health problems, especially if left untreated.
Let’s explore the impact of hormone imbalances in men and women.
What are Hormones?
The complex nature of the body’s functioning is tied to many aspects of the body’s ability to communicate and function cohesively as a whole. Hormones are the body’s “chemical messengers.” The endocrine glands make these chemical messengers.
The most significant glands in this group are the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal, and parathyroid glands. The pancreas is also a mixed gland that’s part of both the endocrine and exocrine systems.
Understanding these glands and what they are responsible for can shed greater light on the hormones associated with each:
- Hypothalamus: part of the central part of the brain. It links the endocrine system and the nervous system. The hypothalamus produces chemicals that regulate the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
- Pituitary gland: at the base of the brain, it produces hormones that regulate other endocrine glands.
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- Growth hormones: For the growth of bone and other body tissues.
- Prolactin: activates milk production in women who are breastfeeding.
- Thyrotropin: stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.
- Corticotropin: stimulates the adrenal gland to produce hormones.
- Vasopressin, also known as Antidiuretic Hormone, helps regulate water balance in the body. Vasopressin is mainly made in the hypothalamus and then released by the posterior pituitary gland.
- Oxytocin: triggers contractions during labor.
- Secretes endorphins that help reduce feelings of pain.
- Controls ovulation and menstruation in women.
- Thyroid: makes thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These control the rate at which cells burn fuel from food for energy.
- Parathyroids: these glands attach to the thyroid and regulate calcium levels in the blood circulatory system.
- Adrenals:
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- Produces hormones called corticosteroids that control salt and water balance, and help regulate stress, metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development and function
- Produces catecholamines, including epinephrine and norepinephrine.
- Pineal: helps secrete melatonin that helps regulate your sleep and your waking ability in the morning.
- Pancreas: Responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that helps the body utilize glucose from the blood. Apart from insulin, the pancreas is also responsible for making glucagon.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Sadly, many substances in our environment today negatively impact our endocrine system by interfering with its healthy functioning. These include chemicals in the water, air, and soil, as well as those found in everyday products such as food, personal care products, cleaning products, pesticides, plastic wrap, non-stick products, and more.
EDCs are chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that interfere with the way the body’s hormones work. Some EDCs act like “hormone mimics” and trick our bodies into thinking that they are hormones, while other EDCs block natural hormones from doing their job. Other EDCs can increase or decrease the levels of hormones in our blood by affecting how they are made, broken down, or stored in our bodies. Finally, other EDCs can alter our bodies’ sensitivity to various hormones.
Research has found that girls and boys experiencing puberty at progressively younger ages is linked with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women, testicular cancer in men, and mental illness.
Hormone Imbalances, EDCs, and Your Health
The chemicals present, as stated above, in the air, water, soil, and a wide range of products used by both men and women daily, can disrupt the endocrine system and become the underlying cause of specific disorders. EDCs “have been linked to human health issues related to sperm quality, fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, nervous system function, immune function, cancers, breathing problems, metabolic issues, obesity, heart health, growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more.
In the case of men, hormone deficiencies related to environmental substances can cause problems with the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. It can cause low thyroid function, including obesity and low testosterone levels.
Symptoms of hormone imbalances in males may include:
- Low sex drive
- Problems having an erection
- Low sperm count
- Sleep problems such as insomnia
- Decrease in muscle size and strength
- Bone loss
- Increase in body fat
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating
- Thinning hair and reduced hair growth
For women, endocrine hormone imbalances can lead to numerous conditions and symptoms, including:
- Irregular menstruation
- Infertility
- Acne
- Hormonal acne (adult acne)
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
- Vaginal atrophy
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Rashes
- Certain cancers
A series of tests can diagnose hormone imbalances. Hormone levels are generally measured and compared to ideal targets. TSH, cortisol, and sex hormones are often measured through blood tests. However, diagnosis is a complex process that may require multiple tests.
Preventing Imbalances in Male and Female Hormones
Many people want to know how to cure hormonal imbalance in females and men. If hormones are not below the normal guidelines, then preventative strategies are a great way to avoid this from happening. This includes implementing some of these tips:
- Exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet
- Manage stress
- Quality sleep
- Quit smoking and/or using tobacco products
- Reduce sugar intake
- Reduce microwaving foods in plastic containers
- Buy pesticide-free fruits and vegetables
- Reduce the use of home products (cleaning products) and home personal care products with EDCs
When female or male hormonal imbalance symptoms start to show up and lead to a diagnosis by a medical professional, then pharmaceutical treatments are important.
How Androgenix Can Help
If you’re experiencing hormonal imbalance symptoms in females or males, then it’s important to get to the root of how you feel. Learning about female and male hormonal imbalance treatment options is a good start, but you first need to understand your own body.
Here at Androgenix, our staff can help you get the tests done to determine if your hormones are not within a normal range. We can then provide you with a personalized treatment. The goal is to reduce the symptoms caused by a female or male hormone imbalance, and to help you get back to life. We also offer other solutions that can be helpful if your hormones are not the cause of your symptoms.
Reach out if you’re ready to explore your options.
