Tag Archives: hormones

Hormone Basics

Hormone levels are more than just a “that time of the month” joke. Studies have shown that changing hormone levels can affect your mood, worsen chronic health issues, and even make you more susceptible to injury! Hormones have an impact on your entire body, not just your reproductive system. There are four types of hormones: Estrogen: a class of hormones that is necessary for sexual development and a healthy reproductive system. Also affects brain function, bone health, and cancer risk. Oxytocin: a hormone responsible for contractions during labor, milk production during breastfeeding, and the nurturing instinct. Progesterone: a hormone produced … Continue reading →

Do Men Get Hot Flashes Too?

Believe it or not, some men can be just as troubled by hot flashes as some women. For women, hot flashes usually come in association with menopause. Menopause is when estrogen levels drop in a woman’s body, causing all sorts of changes. For men, hot flashes are associated with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Prostate cell growth is stimulated by testosterone. If you reduce hormone levels or block hormone action in the body, it can help make radiation therapy for prostate cancer more effective. As much as eighty percent of men who receive androgen deprivation therapy end up experiencing … Continue reading →

Sleep Longer to Lose Weight

There are twenty-four hours in a day; seven or eight of those hours should be spent sleeping. Research shows that lack of sleep could result in weight gain. There are two hormones that we need to consider when we deprive ourselves of adequate sleep. These hormones are leptin and ghrelin. The hormone leptin is produced by fat cells. It helps with appetite suppression and burning stored fat. The hormone ghrelin is produced by cells lining the stomach. Ghrelin helps stimulate the appetite. Now that we know the function of these hormones, we can take a look at some research about … Continue reading →

Hormonal Changes in Early Pregnancy

Early pregnancy is a time of big changes in your body. You may feel moody or find your moods change suddenly and without warning. There is good reason for this. Major hormonal changes are happening in your body to support your baby. These changes begin before you even know you are pregnant. Hormonal changes don’t just affect your moods. They can cause physical symptoms as well. You may experience morning sickness, headache and fatigue. Many of the common discomforts of the first trimester are due to changing hormone levels. Hormones sustain the baby in early pregnancy. They also help develop … Continue reading →

When Does A Child Become A Teenager?

It used to be that a teenager was a child whose age ended with the suffix “teen”. Yet today many parents are finding that their 10 and 11 year olds are acting like teenagers. In today’s technology world children are bombarded with adult information from the television, Internet, and movies. These influences along with peer groups and environmental pressures are forcing children to grow up faster. Take a look at the girls clothing department and you will see that the fashions mimic those of teenage girls. Yet the cause isn’t completely environmental. A recent study by the American Academy of … Continue reading →