Are you constantly hungry, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing period pain? If so, there's a good reason to get to know your hormones better, because hormones control all of these things and so much more!
Hormones play a much bigger role in our bodies than we think. When your hormones get out of balance, you can feel it both physically and mentally.
This guide is tailored for those who want to understand the basics of what hormones are and how they affect the female body.
So let's dive into the world of hormones!
Hormones are chemical signalling substances that serve as the body's messengers, regulating numerous physiological functions. Their primary role is to transmit messages to the body's cells, instructing them on their tasks. Thus, hormones exert control over various bodily processes.
It could be said that hormones function as the body's communication network, bridging connections between parts that would otherwise remain isolated. With billions of cells comprising the body, effective communication among them is crucial for the organism to function as a unified whole.
The hormones are produced in hormone-producing glands (endocrine glands) around the body, including in the brain and genitals. From here they are released into the bloodstream where they can travel to other parts of the body.
When the hormone reaches its desired target, it enters the cells and activates special 'receptors' that send a message to the cell telling it what to do. In this way, hormones regulate many different functions in the body, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood and behaviour.
Hormones are a bit like text messages, where the sender is the endocrine glands, which send the text messages around the body through your blood to the recipient: the target cells.
READ MORE: Why The Endocrine System Is So Important for Women
The function of hormones is typically to either increase or decrease substances that affect important processes in the body. This includes your appetite and satiety, sexual function, metabolism, and growth.
Hormones play an important role in the body. If hormones become imbalanced, it can lead to various symptoms that affect our wellbeing.
There are many different types of hormones, each with their own effect on different bodily functions and processes.
The hormones help regulate:
The illustration shows some of the most important hormones in the female body and where they are produced.
There are many different hormones in your body. Here are some of the most well-known ones, all of which are important in the female body.
Oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone.
It plays a crucial role in the development of what we associate with female sexual characteristics (breasts, pubic hair and body shape with slender shoulders and wide hips).
Oestrogen is also responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, controlling growth and maintaining bone density.
Progesterone is another important female sex hormone. Among other things, it plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
Progesterone is an important counterpart to oestrogen: while oestrogen speeds up many processes, progesterone keeps things from getting out of hand. Therefore, a balance between these two sex hormones is important.
READ MORE: Progesterone: The Key to Optimal Health for Women
You probably know testosterone as the male sex hormone: the hormone that gives men beard growth, a deep voice and masculine looks.
But testosterone is also found in the female body. Just in smaller amounts. Here it helps regulate your sex drive, bone density and muscle mass.
Kortisol er et stresshormon, der dannes i binyrerne. Det hjælper med at regulere blodsukkerniveauet og håndtere stressreaktioner. Kortisol har desuden en kraftig antiinflammatorisk og immundæmpende effekt.
Cortisol is a stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and manage stress reactions. Cortisol also has a powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect.
The thyroid gland releases hormones that keep the body's cells functioning optimally. These hormones help regulate your metabolism, weight, body temperature and energy levels, among other things.
Your wellbeing depends largely on how well and efficiently your hormonal system works. For your body to function properly, it's important that all the hormones 'play together' and are in balance.
When your hormones are balanced, you'll notice it in your energy, strength and overall wellbeing.
However, if your hormones become imbalanced, it can affect both your body and your mind: you may feel tired and unwell, you may become easily irritated or feel uncomfortable, nervous or upset, or develop skin problems.
Hormonal imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a particular hormone in the body.
There can be several different reasons why hormones become imbalanced.
Stress, poor dietary habits and endocrine disruptors are some of the factors that can affect hormones.
In addition, hormone balance is naturally affected by the stage of life you're in:
Menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause are natural phases in a woman's life that change the hormonal levels.
If you have a hormonal imbalance as a woman, it can show in different ways. Symptoms depend on the type of hormones involved and the severity of the imbalance, among other things.
Some of the most common signs of hormonal imbalance are:
In this article you can read more about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
If you experience several of these symptoms, it's a good idea to consult a doctor or other professional. It could be a sign of hormone imbalance or other underlying conditions.
Are you experiencing hormonal changes during menopause, then take a look at our supplement 4HER Menopause. At 4HER, we understand that managing hormonal changes can be challenging for women, especially during menopause. That’s why we’ve developed a dietary supplement to support you through this time.
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