All articles tagged with #hormones
A UK study identifies a distinctive androgen fingerprint in endometriosis, notably elevated 11-ketotestosterone, pointing to a non-invasive blood test that could diagnose the condition rapidly and reduce the current years-long diagnostic delay; researchers aim to develop the test and explore new treatments, with larger trials needed.
A recent study found that fluctuations in female sex hormones across the menstrual cycle have little effect on how muscles respond to resistance training, and the researchers suggest this may also apply to male hormones, implying hormones may not be the primary limiter of muscle growth for either sex.
An increasing number of mothers over 40 report overlapping postpartum and perimenopausal symptoms—mood swings, brain fog and sleep disruption—as hormonal changes from childbirth intersect with aging, illustrated by a 44-year-old mom’s experience after a 2024 birth.
Comedian Conan O’Brien, 63, describes a quieter, less intense shift in himself that he now attributes in part to age-related testosterone decline (andropause), sparked by a conversation with his mother-in-law. Experts note that testosterone can affect motivation, mood and emotional reactivity beyond libido, though personality isn’t solely defined by hormones. Low testosterone is common with aging and linked to health risks, but treatment options exist after medical evaluation.
An endocrinologist suggests eight practical daily habits to support hormone health: manage stress, get adequate sleep with a consistent wake time, engage in some movement each day, spend time outside, eat sufficient protein and fiber, and consider light intermittent fasting if feasible—principles that align with overall health guidance.
Weight gain isn’t only about overeating. Stress raises cortisol, increasing appetite and fat storage; insufficient sleep disrupts ghrelin and leptin, boosting hunger and reducing activity; hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and menopause can lower metabolic rate and complicate weight management. The piece emphasizes biology alongside lifestyle in obesity and notes options like GLP-1 agonists and metabolic/bariatric surgery, advising medical evaluation for unexplained weight gain.
A JAMA Network Open study of 422 women across two cycles found that taking the combined oral contraceptive pill on active-pill days is linked to higher emotional eating compared with inactive-pill days, with risk present even among those with prior binge-eating symptoms; researchers caution that not all users are affected and note that self-monitoring over time may help reduce episodes, calling for more work to identify who is most vulnerable.
A JAMA study of 422 women aged 15–30 over 49 days found binge-eating episodes rose on days when active birth-control pills were taken versus placebo, suggesting a hormonal link; researchers note journaling may help track patterns and call for more research into other hormonal contraception options.
A woman in her 30s endures severe perimenopause-related anger and other symptoms that strain her marriage and family; after years of misdiagnosis, she finds relief through hormonal therapy and lifestyle changes, and now helps others navigate the menopause transition.
A Swiss study of 94 young men found cannabis users had about 23% higher testosterone than non-users, plus raised levels of androstenedione and DHT, while adrenal androgens were unchanged. The effects appear localized to the testes, with two progesterone‑related metabolites also elevated, suggesting cannabis alters a broader hormonal network rather than simply lowering testosterone. The brain’s role remains uncertain, and implications for fertility are not yet clear.
New research shows hormones shape how we hear, with men showing earlier, gradual decline and women experiencing monthly auditory fluctuations and menopause-related changes; the study calls for sex- and hormone-aware, holistic research approaches to improve accurate diagnoses and personalized hearing care.
Cannabis use, especially heavy and chronic use, may impair male fertility by lowering sperm count and mobility and altering reproductive hormones; human studies link cannabis to reduced semen quality, though evidence is mixed; experts say stopping cannabis for at least three months before attempting conception can improve fertility, highlighting that male infertility is common and under‑evaluated.
Research shows fatherhood triggers real biological changes: expectant and new dads experience hormonal shifts (lower testosterone and vasopressin, with rises in bonding hormones like oxytocin and prolactin in some cases) and their brains reorganize during pregnancy and after birth. The extent of these changes tracks with how involved dads are in childcare, suggesting biology primes men for parenting. Brain imaging links these shifts to neural adaptations—comparable to adolescence in development—and policy implications favor greater paternal involvement and supportive leave, with studies even tying attentive fathering to better heart health in children over seven years.
A health feature follows Abi Twomlow’s perimenopause symptoms and her use of a 1g daily inositol supplement after a ChatGPT suggestion, reporting relief from brain fog and sugar cravings within weeks and a delay in starting hormone replacement therapy. The piece discusses inositol’s potential benefits for PCOS, gestational diabetes, menopause symptoms and fertility, while stressing that large-scale trials are still needed and that safety appears favorable when used with medical guidance.
An article lists 10 medicines linked to gynecomastia in men, explaining how hormone balance shifts—lower testosterone, higher estrogen, or raised prolactin—can enlarge breast tissue. Drugs highlighted include spironolactone, finasteride, anabolic steroids, antipsychotics, nonsteroidal antiandrogens, diazepam, cimetidine, ketoconazole, and metronidazole. In many cases the condition resolves after stopping the drug, but it can linger and may require treatment or surgery in some men.