Hormones - how do they affect well-being and mood?

What is cortisol responsible for?

Cortisol is a hormone that has gotten a bad rap. Thus, it is often blamed for insomnia, fat accumulation and the destruction of muscle mass. The hormone does have this effect, but only if it is produced in too large quantities. In moderation, it is vital for our body. Its main task is to adapt the body to changing environmental conditions.

Cortisol performs several important functions in our body:

• regulates blood glucose levels;
• supports the nervous system;
• activates brain activity;
• controls blood pressure;
• protects against infections.

It is under the influence of cortisol that gluconeogenesis occurs - the process of glucose formation in the liver. That is, the hormone is responsible for providing the body with the energy necessary for life. In a healthy person, the highest concentration of cortisol is observed in the morning. That is why in the morning we feel cheerful and full of energy. In the evening, hormone production gradually decreases, and with it our productivity drops, we feel tired and quickly fall asleep.

Normally, a healthy adult produces cortisol in amounts ranging from 15 to 30 mg per day.

Hormones - how do they affect well-being and mood?

16.09.2019

hormone is responsible for every mood and emotion . For health, it is necessary to maintain a balance of each of them. Today you will learn what hormones and what they are responsible for.

Serotonin

This hormone is responsible for the production of happiness, good mood, and it also regulates vascular tone and labor. This substance also promotes arousal. blood clotting will improve . And if the level of the hormone decreases significantly, this can lead to various mental illnesses and headaches, productivity will also decrease, and the need for sweets will appear.

You can increase your serotonin levels with the following foods: cheese, dates, tomatoes, cocoa, plums and many others. Artificially increasing the hormone (drug use) can cause death.

Endorphins and dopamine

Endorphins are hormones that promote a good mood and reduce pain. Interesting fact: the structure of endorphins is similar to the structure of various drugs (opiates).

Dopamine also has a positive effect on mood. It is produced in the brain when achieving any goals; this hormone motivates for further success. Dopamine levels rise when you eat your favorite, tasty food. Due to a lack of dopamine, a person may develop apathy. Smoking and alcohol reduce the level of the hormone , and magnesium and zinc raise it.

Estrogen and testosterone

These sex hormones influence the emotional state. Estrogen is a female hormone that contributes to the formation of a female figure during puberty. Low levels of this substance can provoke nervousness, frequent mood swings, tearfulness and aggression. Estrogen is responsible for the appearance of women and changes in the level of this hormone will affect many factors. For example, the condition of your hair and skin may worsen.

Testosterone is a male hormone that influences puberty. But this hormone is important not only for males, but also for women. Due to insufficient testosterone levels, a person becomes soft, sensitive and emotional.

Oxytocin

This substance is called the “love hormone” because it promotes positive feelings towards your partner and children. A sufficient level of oxytocin improves mood, normalizes sleep and calms nerves . Oxytocin also helps breastfeeding mothers release milk. The level of this hormone increases when caring for loved ones or when eating certain foods.

Thyroid hormones

This substance affects the pulse, or rather speeds it up. The hormone also has a significant effect on mood; if thyroid levels decrease, the person will experience apathy, weakness, and reluctance to do anything. Too high a hormone will contribute to a bad mood, overexcitation, rapid fatigue and nervousness.

Published in Endocrinology Premium Clinic

What are the dangers of elevated cortisol levels?

Excessive cortisol levels lead to a number of negative consequences:

• destruction of muscle tissue;
• increased bone fragility;
• accumulation of fatty tissue in the abdominal area, including on internal organs;
• decreased testosterone production;
• weakened immunity;
• indigestion (diarrhea, constipation);
• cardiopalmus;
• insomnia, inability to fall asleep quickly;
• fast fatiguability;
• irritability, aggressiveness;
• malfunctions of the thyroid gland.

With a constant excess of cortisol levels, the risk of developing serious diseases increases significantly, including: diabetes, hypertension, arterial hypertension, osteoporosis, infertility and many others. The main factor that provokes increased production of cortisol is stress. The more often a person is exposed to stress, the higher the level of the hormone. Cortisol is produced not only in response to a real threat, but also to anxious thoughts and experiences, so suspicious and depressed people often face this problem.

The cause of cortisol imbalance can be certain diseases: diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, pathologies of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland, obesity. Pregnancy can also be a provoking factor.

An important condition for maintaining normal cortisol levels is maintaining a proper daily routine. If you are active at night and sleep during the day, this disrupts your biological clock and disrupts the production of cortisol.

How to Reduce Cortisol Levels

If cortisol levels are elevated, it is recommended to reconsider your lifestyle and minimize the amount of stress. It is important to be able to relax, let go of anxious thoughts, and tune in to the positive. Meditation, massage, music for relaxation help well.

For proper production of cortisol, healthy sleep of at least 7 hours a day is necessary. You need to sleep in complete darkness and silence. It is advisable to go to bed before 23:00 and ventilate the room well. Moderate physical activity will help normalize hormonal levels. Hiking in the fresh air is beneficial. You need to reconsider your diet so that every meal is accompanied by the consumption of protein. To digest protein, carbohydrates are necessary, they must also be present. It is also important to drink enough water. In the absence of contraindications, this is at least two liters per day.

In addition to the above recommendations, taking adaptogens such as ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, etc. has a positive effect.

Symptoms of elevated cortisol levels are not specific and can be observed in other diseases and disorders; an accurate diagnosis can only be made based on the results of the examination. You can undergo all the necessary examinations and receive consultations from qualified specialists in Volgograd, Volzhsky and Mikhailovka at the DIALINE clinics. If increased cortisol production is confirmed, our specialists will determine the cause of the disorder and select the optimal therapy, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. To make an appointment, contact us by phone or through the feedback form on the website. For ease of use of our services, we recommend registering in your personal account.

Why is testosterone a male hormone?

Let's try to give several arguments to answer this question.

First of all, it plays a major role in the development of the genital organs and the formation of secondary sexual characteristics in men (thickening of the vocal cords, hair growth on the face and body).

Secondly, it takes part in the formation and maintenance of normal sexual function, more specifically: sexual desire, erection, sexual behavior and sperm formation.

Thirdly, thanks to it, protein production is stimulated, which is so necessary for the normal development of muscles and bones.

In addition to all this, it has been proven that testosterone is actively involved in the work of the central nervous system, hematopoietic and urinary systems, and cardiovascular systems. That is why he was nicknamed the king of all hormones. Unfortunately, with age, its level in the body decreases, starting around 30-35 years. As a result, by the age of 50-55 (sometimes earlier), the amount in the male body is only half of what it was in his youth. The decline occurs gradually, by about 1-2 percent per year. The level in old and mature age directly depends on genetic factors.

How is aggressiveness diagnosed in medical care?

The need for treatment of this mental disorder is determined only by a specialist - a psychiatrist.

To do this, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination, including:

• inspection;
• survey;
• conversation;
• psychological tests;
• observation.

A psychologist takes part in solving the diagnostic problem, and, if necessary, doctors of other profiles - a neurologist, an endocrinologist, a pediatrician. Some cases require hospitalization of the patient.

Chemical revolution

For many years, it was believed that the brain sends electrical impulses along its complex network of circuits (which, if extended in a single line, would cover thousands of kilometers) to regulate various functions that allow us to act in the world around us. Now we are discovering that in addition to this electrical model based on neurons, axons, dendrites and neurotransmitters, the brain functions at another level.

Candace Perth speaks of this chemical brain as a second nervous system and points out our collective reluctance to accept such a model: “What has been especially difficult to accept is that this chemically based system is undoubtedly more ancient and basic to the body. Peptides such as endorphins are created inside cells long before the appearance of dendrites, axons, and even neurons—in fact, even before the appearance of the brain itself.” This may be a shocking revelation for you or prompt you to re-evaluate your existing knowledge. […]

First of all, it is important to understand that we are chemically conditioned beings. We are products of our biochemical activities, from the cellular level, where millions of millions of chemical reactions and processes occur while we breathe, digest food, fight germs, move, think and feel, to our moods, actions, beliefs, sensory perceptions, emotions, right down to experience and training. While behaviorists and other psychologists once debated whether heredity or the environment were primarily responsible for our behavior, new scientific research and discoveries have shifted the focus toward the chemical basis of emotions.

The battle of Maslenitsa and Lent (fragment). Pieter Bruegel. 1559

A woman’s reproductive health is a complex and fragile system that quickly responds to any unfavorable factors, which primarily include stress, both acute and chronic.

Alarm Signals

Regulation of the menstrual cycle is a multi-stage “cascade”, the top level of which is the cerebral cortex and the structures of the limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala). The main role in this process is played by neuropeptides (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, kiss-peptin) and the hormone melatonin. Stressful situations directly affect the processes of synthesis and use of neurotransmitters and hormones, as a result of which the most important link in the regulation of the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

It is the limbic system that is responsible for our emotions - primarily for the reactions of fear and anger that we have to face in situations of threat to life and health.

Severe psycho-emotional shocks have a negative impact on many aspects of women's reproductive health.

The first alarm bell is most often menstrual irregularities, which can appear in the near future after suffering stress:

• prolongation of the cycle - delay of menstruation by 10 or more days;
• shortening of the cycle - the onset of menstruation 10 or more days earlier than usual;
• cessation of menstruation in the absence of organic pathology - functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (outdated terms - “wartime amenorrhea”, “hunger amenorrhea”, “stress amenorrhea”);
• excessive uterine bleeding (menorrhagia - during menstruation; metrorrhagia - bleeding not associated with menstruation). The occurrence of these problems is primarily due to a violation of the ovulatory nature of the menstrual cycles, which leads to hyperestrogenism against the background of progesterone deficiency and, as a consequence, to hyperplastic processes of the endometrium.

Note: the normal duration of the menstrual cycle is 24–38 days; inter-cycle differences in duration are acceptable up to 10 days (FIGO criteria 2018)

Against the background of stressful conditions, disturbances of the vaginal biocenosis often occur, mainly candidal colpitis. Scientific articles in the journal of the American Society of Microbiology, Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, confirm that psychological stress, especially chronic stress, suppresses the cellular component of the body's immune defense and promotes the overgrowth of Candida fungi. Acute stress, especially accompanied by sleep disturbances and changes in diet (psychogenic overeating, predominance of carbohydrates in the diet), can also provoke manifestations of candidiasis.

Interestingly, researchers have noted the effectiveness of some antidepressants (in particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) in the treatment of resistant candidiasis associated with stress.

Sexual problems

Women's sexual health is also subject to the negative influence of stress, which directly depends on both the psychological state and the very neurotransmitters and hormones that are involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle. The peculiarity of female libido is that it is characterized by a pronounced dependence on psychosocial factors.

Any intense experiences (fear, severe anxiety, anger) become dominant. When a woman does not feel safe, the reproductive instinct fades into the background, because an absolutely normal behavioral adaptation to stress is the activation of defense: you must either look for a safe place or fight.

Stress negatively affects many aspects of your sex life, such as sex drive, arousal, and orgasm. In some cases, severe emotional experiences, especially those associated with physical and sexual abuse, can cause dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) and vaginismus.

Problems caused by stress (nightmares, intrusive traumatic memories, insomnia) aggravate the situation, leading to emotional exhaustion.

Menstrual irregularities directly affect libido and the ability to achieve orgasm, since these processes are largely controlled by sex hormones.

Neoplasms

The growth of uterine fibroids can also be triggered by stressful situations.

Chinese scientists T. Xia et al. in 2022, the results of an experimental study were published that prove that stress can actually accelerate the growth of uterine fibroid cells and lead to a rapid increase in tumor size. The mechanism is explained by the influence of norepinephrine and epinephrine through the AR-cAMP-PKA signaling pathway on the proliferation of leiomyomatous cells, the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, the synthesis of proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor.

According to a meta-analysis published in the journal Stress Health in 2019, chronic psychological stress increases the risk of developing uterine fibroids by 24%.

Premature ovarian failure

Psycho-emotional distress may also be associated with premature ovarian failure and premature/early menopause. Of course, the time of onset of menopause depends on the ovarian reserve, which is determined by a number of factors, such as genetic predisposition, gynecological diseases (endometriosis, ovarian tumors), chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and surgical interventions on the ovaries.

The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (2015) published a large experimental study proving that stress-induced changes in neuroendocrine and immune responses lead to disruption of the complex mechanisms of regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, which leads to premature ovarian failure, premature or early menopause.

It is important to remember that menstruation may stop not as a result of premature depletion of the ovarian reserve, but due to functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: in this case, the ovarian reserve is preserved, as confirmed by laboratory parameters (FSH, LH, AMH) and ultrasound results.

Decreased fertility

Acute and chronic stress can cause a decrease in fertility - primarily if the ovulatory nature of the menstrual cycle is disrupted or amenorrhea develops.

It is also important to remember that infertility can be closely linked to a woman's psychological state, especially if she has been a victim or witness of violence. Such cases require special attention and work with a specialist - a psychologist or psychotherapist.

Stress-associated growth of uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia and decreased libido also have a pronounced negative impact on fertility.

According to a large study published in the journal Human Reproduction (2014), women with high levels of alpha-amylase in their saliva (a laboratory marker of stress) had a 29% reduction in fertility and a 2-fold increased risk of infertility.

Acute stress during pregnancy can have extremely unfavorable consequences: according to an article in the journal Scientific Reports (2019), psycho-emotional trauma during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous abortion by 42%; and the publication BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) states that stressful experiences in pregnant women increase the risk of premature birth by 2 times.

Recommendations for women facing gynecological problems after suffering stress:

• if the menstrual cycle has restored itself and become regular again after a single case of lengthening or shortening, no special examination is required, it is recommended to undergo a standard medical examination;
• if the menstrual cycle is disrupted and does not recover on its own within two or more months (lengthening/shortening of the cycle, spotting from the genital tract), you should contact a gynecologist for an examination, perform an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, and a hormonal examination;
• if there is acute pain in the abdomen or heavy bleeding from the genital tract (especially with clots, and also if you have to change the pad/tampon every 2 hours or more often), immediately contact a gynecological hospital;
• if there is moderate nagging pain in the lower abdomen, it is planned to consult a gynecologist for an examination and conduct an ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• if there is itching or burning in the vagina, “cheesy” or any other discharge with an unpleasant odor, contact a gynecologist, take a smear for flora, and it is optimal to conduct a comprehensive study of the vaginal biocenosis (for example, “Femoflor”).