Decoding Sex Hormones: How to Balance Your Hormones Naturally
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They’re made in the endocrine system by specialized tissues called glands. Hormones control most of the processes that happen in the body, including metabolism, reproduction, sexual function, and mood.
What Are Sex Hormones?
Sex hormones are specific chemical messengers produced in the ovaries in women, in the testes in men, and the adrenal glands in both sexes. Although sex hormones are primarily known for regulating development, puberty, and reproduction, they also influence many other aspects of health, including:
- Mood and brain function
- Body weight and composition
- Sleep
- Metabolism (how your body gets energy from the foods you eat)
- Skin and hair health
- Cardiovascular and bone health
Types of Sex Hormones
There are four main sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA. Let’s take a closer look at each…
Estrogen
Estrogen is the most well-known female hormone. It’s made in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells. Males make estrogen, too, just in smaller amounts.
Estrogen works alongside progesterone to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle. In men, estrogen is important for libido, sexual function, and sperm production.
Estrogen levels are also linked to bone health, metabolic health, skin elasticity, mood, and more. Many organ systems, including the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems and the brain, are affected by estrogen.
There are three main types of estrogen: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).
Estrone (E1) is the weakest type of estrogen. Estrone can be converted into estradiol and is typically highest after menopause. Like all estrogen, estrone supports female sexual development and function.
Estradiol (E2), the most potent and active of the three estrogens, is often the only one measured in an estrogen test. During puberty, estradiol levels increase and remain at their highest through an individual’s reproductive years. Estradiol then gradually decreases in perimenopause and remains low throughout menopause.
Estriol (E3) is the dominant form of estrogen found during pregnancy. Made by the placenta, estriol’s primary function is to control the production of other pregnancy hormones while supporting fetal development and uterine growth. Estriol also helps prepare the body for childbirth and breastfeeding.
Testosterone
People tend to think of testosterone as an exclusively male hormone, but women produce and need testosterone too, just at lower levels. Healthy testosterone levels in women help support:
- Fertility
- Sex drive
- Menstrual health
- Breast and vaginal health
- Bone density
- Muscle mass
- Mood
- Memory
- Motivation
In both men and women, testosterone helps protect the nervous system and helps ward off low mood, memory problems, and cognitive issues. Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for libido in men and likely helps maintain libido in women. The top complaint from women with low testosterone is decreased libido, which is why many women seek libido supplements to help balance this hormone.
Progesterone
Progesterone, also known as the “chill hormone,” is produced by the ovaries, uterus, and adrenal glands. It’s best known for helping regulate the menstrual cycle – women make progesterone in response to an egg being released from an ovary (ovulation) – but progesterone also plays an essential role in breast health, brain function, mood, and sleep. In men, progesterone is also important for sperm and prostate health.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is made in the adrenals and then converted by the body to estrogen in women and testosterone in men. DHEA is responsible for several functions, like regulating neurotransmitters, stress response, and synthesizing other hormones. If your DHEA levels are low, your sexual health, energy, muscle mass, and bone density can suffer.
Are My Hormones Levels Off?
When your hormones are healthy, you tend to feel more vibrant and energetic. When your hormones are out of balance, you’re much less likely to experience optimal health. That’s why it’s important to check your hormone levels regularly to understand how they affect you.
8 Best Ways To Naturally Balance Your Hormones
For many people, simple lifestyle changes like eating a well-balanced diet, taking the right supplements, and getting good sleep can help restore proper levels of hormones in the body.
Here are some of the best ways to naturally balance your hormones:
1. Exercise Regularly
Physical activity directly impacts your hormonal health. Exercise can enhance hormone receptor sensitivity, which assists in the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals.
2. Eat a Protein-rich Diet
Proteins break down into amino acids, which are needed to produce peptide hormones. These hormones play a critical role in regulating several physiological processes, including growth, energy metabolism, appetite, stress, and more.
3. Maintain Good Gut Health
Your gut produces metabolites that can affect hormone health. Taking a good quality probiotic can help.
4. Watch Your Sugar Intake
Eating too much sugar can lead to insulin resistance, disruptions in the gut microbiome, and imbalanced hormones. Opt for healthy sugar-free alternatives instead.
5. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done! Excessive stress can significantly disrupt hormone levels and hurt your health.
6. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important factors in hormonal imbalance. Your hormone levels can rise and fall throughout the day simply because of how you slept the night before.
7. Eat Good Fats
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and raw nuts and seeds can help keep your hormones balanced.
8. Take High-quality Supplements
The right supplements can help optimize your hormone health.
What Supplements Can Help With A Hormonal Imbalance?
Both men and women can naturally support their testosterone levels with BrainMD’s new testosterone supplement.
Brain-T MAX delivers clinically proven ingredients that have been shown in research studies to naturally increase testosterone.* It can also help support cognitive function, energy, stamina, and immunity.*
At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Brain-T MAX and ours full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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