The word “hormone” comes from a Greek word that means “to spur on”. That’s exactly what hormones do within your body. They act as catalysts to spur on chemical changes within your cells that supply energy and aid in development and overall health. The glands of the endocrine system send hormones throughout your bloodstream telling each part of your body what work to do, when to do it, and for how long. The eight hormone-secreting glands of the endocrine system are the adrenal gland, hypothalamus, pancreas, parathyroid gland, pineal gland, pituitary gland, reproductive glands (ovaries and testes) and thyroid gland. But some other organs and tissues that are not generally considered part of the endocrine system also produce and secrete hormones.
IT’S A BALANCING ACT
Simple fact is, you couldn’t live without your hormones. And you can’t live well when they’re out of whack. Even if you’re living a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and regular exercise, you’re not reaping the full reward of your efforts if your hormones are imbalanced. So what can cause this imbalance? Unusually high stress, insufficient sleep, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, menopause, pregnancy and thyroid problems, are just a few culprits. The body has a very delicate chemistry. Changes in that chemistry can quickly produce noticeable symptoms and other health problems.
HORMONES; HAVOC AND MAYHEM
When your hormones are out of balance, it can go way beyond your body feeling “eh”. When your hormones go rogue, they can cause:
- Weight gain/weight loss resistance:
- Hair loss
- Low sex drive
- Weak bones
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- Infertility
- Mood swings, brain fog and anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Digestion issues
- Poor concentration
- Fatigue
That in itself is enough to make you feel sick.
HORMONES. HAVE A LAUGH
On a lighter side, here are a few fun facts about the 50 or so master controllers of your body:
- Ever wonder why guys get so uncomfortable when a woman cries? Probably because they can feel their penis shrinking. The smell of a woman’s tears immediately lowers testosterone levels and kills sexual arousal.
- When you fall in love, you’re basically high. The hormones that are released when you’re first falling in love are on par with cocaine in how they affect your brain. All those hormones have the same compounds as amphetamines, so yeah, you’re totally high as a kite.
- Your hangover is the result of drunk hormones. When we drink alcohol, it messes with the job of the antidiuretic hormone. What follows is the incessant peeing that happens when you drink, which is a major contributor in being hungover. So think of it this way: every time you drink, you’re kinda getting your hormones drunk too, because they quit behaving appropriately — like you.
- British intelligence planners seriously considered secretly administering small doses of estrogen into the food of Adolf Hitler, in order “to make his character less aggressive” and to make his mustache to fall off. No joke.
HERE’S TO YOUR HORMONE HEALTH
In every way imaginable, hormones are vital to your health and well-being. In order to balance your hormones and optimize how they work and communicate with every organ in your body, it is critical to be evaluated by highly trained hormone experts like the experienced professionals at Thrive Health Solutions. If it has to do with hormones, Thrive knows everything about them. And more importantly, how to get them back in balance. It begins with getting to know you. Getting to know how you feel. Listening to your concerns. The medical staff at Thrive will do a full evaluation of your health history and a detailed blood workup. Based on those results, they will create a unique and integrated treatment plan that includes hormone replacement therapy along with lifestyle changes that include exercise and nutrition. Hormones imbalances are common in people of all ages, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Help is as easy as making a call to Thrive for an appointment now. Make your hormones happy. And your life healthy.
