Hormones: How Do They Affect a Woman’s Life?

You must have heard something about female hormones at some point in your life. If you haven’t, don’t worry! We are about to go over the key hormones in a woman’s life. It may seem like a complex topic that is difficult to grasp. And indeed, there is a lot of information and research out there regarding this particular topic. Luckily, in this article, we focus on hormones’ key functions to help you understand their roles in women’s health and well-being.

So, let’s start with some top facts

• The human body circulates 50 different hormones, which are produced mainly by the endocrine glands;
• Hormones are responsible for managing functions such as metabolism, reproduction, sexual health, mood, and growth;
• Your hormones will change throughout life as you enter different phases such as puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause
• Hormonal balance is vital to staying healthy and feeling well;

What are hormones?

Think of hormones as your body’s little chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream and communicate with specific cells and organs. But in order to accept the message, the cell has to have a receptor for that specific hormone. Once received, hormones will tell these cells and organs how to function.

But where do the hormones come from?

Hormones are produced by the endocrine system. This involves many organs such as the liver, gut, ovaries, and kidneys. Think of anywhere in your body, and it is likely that it makes a hormone! For example, a pregnant woman’s placenta will produce estrogen and progesterone, which play a role in fetal development and labor.

What do hormones do in your body?

Hormones are involved in a range of bodily functions such as:

• metabolism
• appetite
• growth and development
• sexual development and reproduction
• libido
• heart rate and blood pressure
• sleeping and waking cycles
• body temperature
• hair growth and body fat distribution

Overall, hormones control all processes that take place in our body to one degree or another. Insulin helps to regulate blood sugar and store excess glucose for energy when we eat. Adrenaline and cortisol prepare the body’s stress response when we are frightened. Our body produces melatonin whenever we want to relax and sleep. And oxytocin (one of our happy hormones) is released when we have sex.

Female hormones

Female hormones are often spoken about in the context of sexual development, fertility, and reproduction. Whilst important, their role is much more complex. Female hormones have an impact on women’s general health and a range of vital bodily functions. So what are the most important female sex hormones?

Estrogen

• Produced mainly in your ovaries but also in the adrenal gland and fat cells
• Plays a crucial role in sexual and reproductive development
• Responsible for setting off puberty in teenage girls
• Regulates your menstrual cycle
• Impacts the way you look (breast and pubic hair growth, skin, body fat)
• Helps the development of bones, brain, cardiovascular and urinary systems
• Affects your mood through the production of the brain chemical- serotonin;

Testosterone

• Although mostly known as a male sex hormone, women also have it!
• Produced in small amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands
• Affects fertility, libido, and period
• Promotes hair growth
• Affects tissue, bone mass, and red blood cell production

Progesterone

• Produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta
• Rises during ovulation and peaks in pregnancy
• Impacts sexual development and reproduction
• Helps to stabilize your period and promotes healthy pregnancy
• Prepares the uterus for possible fertilized egg implantation

Key phases in a woman’s life

It’s natural for hormone levels to fluctuate throughout your lifespan. The changes will usually occur due to the different phases women typically go through. Such key phases in a woman’s life may be:

Puberty

Girls usually hit puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, and it can last until they are around 16 years old. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and ovaries begin to produce more hormones such as the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This will stimulate the production of sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.

Higher levels of estrogen will promote the development of the uterus and breast tissue. Other typical puberty signs include body hair growth, body odor, white vaginal discharge, changes in voice, weight gain, and skin breakouts. One of the most notable changes would be the beginning of menstruation.

Menstrual cycle

When we usually think of the menstrual cycle we think of periods. In reality, your period is only one of four menstrual cycle phases, all driven by hormones. During each phase of the menstrual cycle, hormones fluctuate, affecting your mood, energy levels, and physical sensations.

During the menstrual phase, estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest points. This means that energy will be low so it might be a good idea to slow down and take some time for yourself. Whilst, during the follicular phase, these hormones will keep rising and reach their peak, so you might feel more energized, confident, and attractive. Testosterone will also rise during this time, likely boosting your libido.

During the ovulatory phase, the ovaries will start actively producing estrogen and progesterone, preparing your body for possible conception. During this time, many women experience a peak in sexual desire, so it might be a good time to schedule a date night!

The luteal phase is often accompanied by a fall in estrogen and progesterone levels, sometimes resulting in what we know as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This is a good time to nest and focus on yourself, giving your body and soul as much comfort as needed.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Hormones change significantly during pregnancy. And those changes are necessary to support healthy fetus development. Pregnancy hormones cause the famous “pregnancy glow”, but are also to blame for not-so-pleasant symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and mood swings.

Pregnant women will experience an increase in both estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen plays a vital role in transferring nutrients to the baby to support their development. Estrogen also helps the placenta to function correctly.

Progesterone is important for helping the uterus to accommodate a full-term baby and helping the blood flow to the womb. It might, however, be responsible for vomiting, reflux, gas, and constipation. Progesterone also prevents you from producing milk before the baby’s arrival and helps your pelvic muscles get ready for labor.

Post-pregnancy

Many women notice that their emotional state and physical sensations have changed after giving birth. Such a postpartum rollercoaster is nothing unusual though. It’s often due to hormonal changes that take place through pregnancy and after you give birth.

After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly, while oxytocin and prolactin surge. Oxytocin is released in both the mother and the baby during breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. Once released, it may improve well-being due to its anti-stress effect, making the mother and the infant calmer and less sensitive to pain. It also plays a role in producing breast milk and facilitates growth and healing.

Prolactin, aka the mothering hormone, stimulates milk production and impacts mom and child’s emotional and physical health. Melatonin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone shift during this time as well.

Because of these fluctuations, you may experience “baby blues”. Your mood will change quickly, you will be prone to irritation and sadness, and feel exhausted. If this persists after a few weeks and intervenes in your everyday life, get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible.

Perimenopause and menopause

Perimenopause is a transition phase that leads to menopause. The latter marks the end of female fertility and occurs when you stop menstruating. These phases are caused by a significant drop in estrogen, which means that the eggs are no longer released. Progesterone production also declines during this time.

One study of 450 women from Alexandria found that the most commonly experienced menopause symptoms were hot flushes, headache, fatigue, skin wrinkles, and decreased sexual desire. But every menopause experience is unique so the symptoms and their severity will vary greatly among different women.

It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor. Yet, simple lifestyle changes can reduce the severity of certain menopause symptoms. Physical activity, plenty of rest, and a balanced diet can all help during this uneasy time. You can also engage in relaxing activities in the morning and before bedtime, such as listening to guided audio sessions, doing some gentle yoga, or taking a relaxing bath.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance means your body might be producing too much or not enough of a certain hormone. Think of hormones as a plant. Too much or too little water or sun can affect the plant’s growth and well-being. Similarly, higher or lower levels of a certain hormone might lead to unwanted symptoms and health issues.

We already established that some hormonal changes will inevitably occur as you enter different life phases. However, the long-term hormonal imbalance in women can be a body’s signal that something is wrong. So it’s important to listen to your body and keep an eye on the symptoms. If they persist, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

You could also start keeping a diary of your symptoms. What exactly are you feeling? How often do you feel that way? When exactly do those sensations usually occur? Your doctor is likely to ask those questions, so it will come in handy!

Some common hormonal imbalance symptoms include:

• Gaining or losing weight
• Chronic fatigue
• Excessive sweating, night sweats
• Constipation or irregular bowel movements
• Depression and anxiety
• Low libido
• Infertility
• Dry skin, brittle nails, and hair, acne
• Hair loss
• Irregular, heavy, missed, or painful periods

Hormonal imbalance can lead to more serious conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. But in most cases, it can be treated both medically and with natural remedies. Sometimes, it might be as simple as making a few lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a balanced diet and healthy body weight, exercising regularly, and having a regular bedtime. Practicing mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and guided visualization can also make a positive change.

There is numerous evidence that suggests our mind has incredible control over our body, so such practices can positively affect hormones and neurotransmitters such as cortisol, serotonin, melatonin, and estrogen. Spending a few moments a day listening to your sensations is a simple and low-cost way that can help to reduce unpleasant symptoms and balance your hormones.

Finding balance

Dealing with all of those hormone-driven changes can be pretty stressful. Luckily, Beginning.com offers just the right tool to support your well-being during each key stage of your life, be it the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, post-pregnancy, or menopause. And how? With dozens of immersive audio sessions to help you relax, balance your moods, boost your sleep, and many more positive benefits.