Hormones are tricky things. They’re present all through the body, they control so many of our biological processes, and if their levels are just a tiny bit off, it can cause all sorts of unexpected problems. Just what’s going on with them?
The best way to describe hormones is as messengers. They carry instructions to the organs telling them how to behave. If you’re lucky, they keep your body doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, but as anyone who had an uncomfortable puberty knows, they can also throw everything out of balance.
We all have hormones, but in different combinations and levels. They’re part of the reason that some people are bigger than others, or some people have beards and some people don’t. Puberty is the time when it becomes most obvious. A surge in testosterone is what leads to a deeper voice and more facial hair, while increased estrogen means breasts and periods. Hormones are generally essential to the reproductive system developing and functioning properly.
Testosterone can still have a big role in adulthood, though. Weightlifters sometimes use testosterone supplements to help build muscle. In other athletic disciplines, too high of a testosterone level can disqualify you from competing and may even lead to sanctions. Growth, weight and muscle mass are all heavily linked to hormones, and testosterone in particular. Men whose testosterone drops too low may seek androgen replacement therapy to restore them to healthy levels.
There are some other important hormones you may want to know about. Some of them you’ll have heard of before but may not realize are hormones. For example, insulin, the stuff that controls blood sugar, is a hormone. Diabetics are people whose bodies don’t produce the proper amount of insulin and who therefore need injections or insulin pumps to survive.
Other well-known hormones include cortisol and adrenaline. They both increase in stressful situations and contribute to the body’s “fight or flight” response. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, while leptin can inhibit hunger. ADH regulates the body’s water levels. Endorphins are triggered by painful stimuli, but can also cause euphoria as a response to everything from eating chocolate to having sex. There are lots of hormones that can affect your mood in one way or another.
With hormones playing such an important role in the body, it’s no wonder that hormone therapy is used to treat or manage many conditions. As mentioned, insulin plays a significant role in the management of diabetes. Sex hormones are used in contraception and in hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Many transgender people will use hormone therapy to manage dysphoria and help them transition to their identified gender. Thyroid problems can be treated with thyroid hormones, and there are several respiratory and autoimmune conditions treated with steroid hormones.
Depending on the circumstances, hormone therapy can involve tablets or capsules that you swallow; creams, gels or patches that are applied to the skin; or injections or implants. Like with any treatment, always discuss what would be safest and most appropriate for you with your doctor.
