Women’s Health: Daily habits that could be affecting your hormones
Hormones play a central role in the proper functioning of your body and overall health. They affect your menstrual cycle, fertility, bone health, mental and physical health. Your skin, weight, thyroid, energy levels, heart and breast health and much more.
These are some common habits that can influence hormonal balance:
Sleep: Irregular sleep can disturb hormone production, like cortisol, insulin, and growth hormones.
Diet: Eating lots of processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugars while lacking essential nutrients can lead to hormonal imbalances. Extreme diets can also harm hormones.
Stress: Chronic stress releases cortisol, disrupting other hormones in the body.
Exercise: Too much or too little exercise can impact hormone levels. Overtraining raises cortisol, while being sedentary affects insulin sensitivity.
Caffeine and alcohol: Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol can affect hormone production and the endocrine system.
Plastic usage: Some plastics contain chemicals that disrupt hormones, especially when they leach into food and drinks.
Skincare and household products: Harmful chemicals in skincare and household items can act as hormone disruptors.
Medications and contraceptives: Some medications and birth control methods alter hormone levels.
Smoking: Smoking and secondhand smoke can disrupt hormones.
Environmental toxins: Exposure to pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals in the environment act as endocrine disruptors, affecting hormone production and function.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is vital for hormone secretion and function.
Sunlight exposure: Natural sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythm and melatonin production, impacting other hormones.
Social interactions: Loneliness and social isolation affect hormone production and stress hormones.
Water bottles and food containers: Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in plastic bottles and containers, BPA can disrupt hormones when it seeps into food or drinks.
Laundry products: Some laundry products have chemicals that act as EDCs, impacting hormone balance through skin absorption.
Synthetic fabrics: Fabrics like polyester can cause increased sweating and heat retention, potentially affecting hormones.
Personal care products: Certain cosmetics and shampoos may contain harmful chemicals that interfere with hormone levels.
Intermittent fasting: Extreme fasting or calorie restriction may disrupt hormonal balance for some individuals.
Gut health: A healthy gut, supported by a balanced diet and probiotics, positively affects hormone metabolism.
Birth control methods: Hormonal contraceptives, like pills, patches, or IUDs, can influence hormone levels and affect individuals differently.
