An Intro to Your Hormones

When a medical professional mentions hormones

We automatically assume it’s about our sex hormones.

Have you ever thought about the other hormones that play in the overall function of your body?

Yes, Estrogen and Testosterone are important hormones but, what about your insulin and glucagon hormones?

First off, let’s start with the basics.

Hormones are chemical messengers of the human body.

So think of your body as a cell phone network, in order for it to function properly you need a great signal.

This “signal” can be blocked by underlying issues, such as diabetes, HIV and other serious medical health issues.

According to the Environmental Protection, “there are over 50 hormones that have been identified within the human body (EPA, 2023)”.

Why is this important to know?

Well, have you ever wondered how it could affect your mental health?

Hormones are also responsible for controlling your overall mood.

An article called “The Link Between Hormones and Mental Health” written by Wendy Wisner (2023) notes 5 hormones that you have to be watchful over when it comes to your mental health.

Hormones to watch out for (Wisner, 2023)

1. Cortisol – stress hormone that controls your “flight or fight” response.
2. Dopamine – regulates moods, emotions and is involved in the rewards system in our brain.
3. Thyroid Hormone – is responsible for regulating metabolism like your heart, your lungs, and your muscles.
4. Serotonin – Regulates mood, memory, and behavior.
5. Sex hormones

• • Male: Testosterone – “Regulates sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution,
    muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm
    (Wein, 2013)”
  • Female: I. Estrogen- “Responsible for the reproductive and sexual development, which begins at puberty(Eske, 2019)”
  • Progesterone – “levels increase during ovulation and spike during pregnancy (Eske, 2019)”
  • Testosterone – “Promotes bone growth, cognitive functioning and maintains sex drive (Garrard, 2022)”

 

A common misconception

Is that only males have Testosterone.

However, women also have testosterone; it’s just in smaller amounts.

If a female has too much testosterone it can cause a series of problems like infertility, ovarian cysts, irregular periods and behavioral changes.

If you ever feel like something is wrong with you, definitely consult your doctor.

If there are multiple hormone imbalances, you might be referred to a specialist.

Endocrinologists are medical health care providers that specialize in hormonal disorders.

Everyday new medical trials are being developed to treat these new medical disorders.

For example, currently there has been an uprise in the diagnosis of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).​​​​

The World Health Organization reports that “Up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome worldwide(WHO, 2023)”.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively new condition in which females experience a hormonal imbalance and there is no immediate cure.

The only way to treat this disorder is to treat the symptoms.

Sometimes healthcare providers forget to “dumb” it down for us.

They often assume that we carry the same level of knowledge as they do.

Whenever you are experiencing unusual symptoms write it down in a small notebook and take it with you during your next visit.

That way your doctor can take the time to read it and understand how you are feeling.

Your medical provider might even suggest some bloodwork and/or even refer you to a specialist depending on your symptoms.

A specialist can provide a much more detailed explanation of your new diagnosis and create a treatment plan.

The big takeaway of this report is that you pay attention to your body.

You are the only expert of your body and sometimes you have to advocate for yourself.

Let your doctor know about any abnormal changes you are experiencing.

Certain physical ailments can affect your mental state and it is important not to lose track.

 

This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.

Live in New York and want to learn more about working with us? Check us out here!

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References

World Health Organization. (2023, June 28). Polycystic ovary syndrome. World Health
Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-
syndrome
Eske, J. (2019, April 5). Female sex hormones: Types, roles, and effect on arousal. Medical
News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324887#types

Garrard, C. (2022, October 20). Testosterone and women’s health. EverydayHealth.com.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/testosterone/womens-health/

Wein, H. (2013, September 23). Understanding how testosterone affects men. National
Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-
matters/understanding-how-testosterone-affects-
men#:~:text=Testosterone%20is%20a%20sex%20hormone,estradiol%2C%20a%20form
%20of%20estrogen.

Wisner, W. (2023, June 5). The link between hormones and mental health. Verywell Mind.
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-link-between-hormones-and-mental-health-
7500077#:~:text=Examples%20of%20hormonal%20imbalances%20that,to%20irritability
%20and%20anxiety9

Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, March 13). Overview of the Endocrine System.
Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-
endocrine- system#:~:text=Over%2050%20hormones%20have%20been,blood%20sugar%20control%20(in
sulin)%3B