Hormonal Changes in Your 20s

As we exit our teen years and enter the big 20s era, our bodies have a lot going on. We may not be aware of all the changes going on inside our bodies because we feel like we can barely keep up with what's going on, on the outside of it. Testosterone, Cortisol, and Thyroid hormone are just a few of the hormones our bodies produce and fluctuate throughout puberty and maturation. These hormones have been scientifically proven to have effects on how individuals perceive and live their daily lives. With this being one of the most difficult times to comb through and discover yourself, your body puts on a lot of stress and this is what can effects our hormonal balance.

(Freitas & Osório ,2022)

Testosterone

This hormone is typically thought of in men and not in women; however this is a misconception. Testosterone levels in women are just as important as it is in men. It is important for bone density and muscle mass as well as sexual function and energy levels. Too high levels of testosterone in women can cause frontal balding, acne and deepening of the voice to name a few. Too low of levels in women can increase chances of weight gain, changes in mood as well as things as serious as loss of bone density or even heart disease.

Cortisol

This hormone is important in regulating the immune system and aids with blood sugar. Cortisol is also vital in the body’s stress response by enhancing how the brain and body utilizes your energy. If levels remain too high over an extended period of time, it can lead to Cushing’s Syndrome, which can then increase risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and even death if left untreated. On the other hand, if levels of cortisol are too low you may experience weight loss, weak muscles, and/or dizziness.

Thyroid Hormone

While this hormone isn’t one of the first ones we generally hear about as kids, it plays such a large role in how you develop and grow. The thyroid hormone has a main focus on the metabolism and development of the body, meaning it can have effects on body temperature, cardiac output, brain function ( as we age) and many others. While it sounds very helpful, too much or little of anything can become a bad thing. An overactive or underactive thyroid can lead to premature balding or lower levels of testosterone in men and irregular menstrual cycles for women.

(Pellegrini, 2020)

(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.)

Easy Implementations to Try:

Like everything in your body, a slight hormonal imbalance can be aided with increase of water intake. Another main thing we don't get enough of is SLEEP. Sleep is so vital in recovery and helping our body reset however, when we're up all hours of the day and night we're not getting the best quality sleep, which in turn, can lead to imbalances. Try incorporating more water and sleep into your daily routine, and see how you feel in a week. Of course that cannot be a cure all, so it is highly recommended that if you aren't feeling any better, that you see your primary care physician.

SOURCES:

1. Freitas, C. C., & Osório, F. de. (2022). Moral judgment and hormones: A systematic literature review. PLOS ONE, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265693

2. How does the thyroid gland work? - informedhealth.org - NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279388/

3. Maestripieri, D., M. Baran, N., Sapienza, P., & Zingales, L. (2010). Between- and within-sex variation in hormonal responses to psychological stress in a large sample of college students. Stress, 13(5), 413–424. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253891003681137

4. Pellegrini, L. (2020). Unhealthy testosterone levels in women: Causes and symptoms - blog: Everlywell: Home Health Testing Made Easy. Everlywell. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.everlywell.com/blog/testosterone/unhealthy-testosterone-levels-in-women-some-causes-and-symptoms/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20low%20testosterone%20in%20women,-What%20are%20some&text=Low%20libido%2C%20weight%20gain%2C%20and,and%20loss%20of%20bone%20density.

5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2016, April 25). Understanding how testosterone affects men. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/understanding-how-testosterone-affects-men#:~:text=Testosterone%20is%20a%20sex%20hormone,red%20blood%20cells%20and%20sperm.

6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Cushing's syndrome - NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndrome

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Hello, I am Michelle R. I am currently a 4th year undergrad student trying to get my life in order. That sentence alone made my brain spin to the next task I have to complete, so we get it. We are all just trying to figure it out, and that's okay. Let us help you! Don't forget to think positive today!

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.