Hormones play a key role in our health throughout our lives, and maintaining hormonal stability can be a delicate balancing act. Here’s what you need to know.

Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body. They play a vital role in regulating various physical processes and coordinating different functions in the body. Their role is a lifelong one as they influence everything from our growth and development to our metabolism (the rate at which our body burns energy) and reproductive functions. Thus, hormones are essential for maintaining overall health and wellness. In this article, we will explore the role of hormones at different stages of life and how we can use this knowledge to positively affect our health.

Childhood and adolescence
During childhood and adolescence, human growth hormone (HGH) and puberty-related hormones like oestrogen and testosterone are crucial for growth and development. Puberty-related hormones regulate the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair growth, breast and reproductive organ development, and deepening voice. According to www.kidshealth.org, hormones from the brain trigger the start of puberty.

Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do. In males, the hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm. In females, the hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone oestrogen and trigger the growth and release of eggs.” Both these changes play an essential part in readying the body for reproduction and the continuing of the human race.

Adulthood
In adulthood, hormones continue to affect our wellbeing and regulate processes in our bodies. Hormones like insulin, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a significant role in maintaining our metabolic balance, energy levels and stress response. The hormones leptin and insulin, the sex hormones and HGH influence our appetite, metabolism and body fat distribution. People who are obese have levels of these hormones that encourage abnormal metabolism and the accumulation of body fat. This can be rectified with medical intervention and lifestyle changes.

Pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy and lactation, hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and oxytocin play a crucial role in foetal development, milk production and bonding. Pregnancy hormones maintain the health of your baby, control their rate of growth, and even trigger the labour process. As a result, hormonal imbalance during pregnancy can cause problems including gestational diabetes, high or low birth weight, or even miscarriages.

Menopause and andropause
During menopause and andropause (male menopause), hormone levels decline, leading to symptoms like loss of muscle mass, insomnia and mood changes. While the average age of menopause is 51 and it affects all women, the Mayo Clinic explains that there are now many effective treatments available for women dealing with this big hormonal change. According to Rush University Medical Center, based in the USA, about 20 percent of men over age 60 and 30 to 50 percent of men over age 80 will experience andropause, which refers to a significant decline in testosterone production.

Old age
In old age, hormones continue to play a vital role in maintaining our physical and mental health. For example, hormones like testosterone and oestrogen help regulate bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Additionally, hormones like melatonin and serotonin help regulate sleep patterns and mood, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

By understanding the role that our hormones play at different stages of life, we can better appreciate the importance of maintaining hormonal balance and seeking medical attention when necessary.