All articles tagged with #hormones
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.
A long-used hair-loss and prostate drug, finasteride, may lower cholesterol and reduce heart-disease risk, per observational human data and mice experiments. While findings are intriguing, the high-dose mouse results may not translate to humans, and potential side effects exist; further clinical trials are needed to confirm heart-health benefits and safe usage.
A large longitudinal study of 127 first‑time mothers finds pregnancy reduces grey‑matter volume in regions tied to emotion, empathy, and social perception—an effect linked to estrogen that begins before birth and largely recovers by six months postpartum. The pattern, which mirrors adolescent brain changes, suggests pregnancy primes the maternal brain for infant care, with some lasting brain changes detectable years later.
Endocrinologist Dr. Gaurav Mandal outlines six drug-free strategies to rebalance hormones that influence sleep, metabolism and mood: start with morning light to synchronize your circadian rhythm; schedule morning workouts when cortisol is highest; time eating and caffeine within a 10-hour window (roughly 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) and front-load calories at breakfast and lunch on a Mediterranean-style diet with three regular meals; stay well hydrated; prioritize social touch (hugs) to boost oxytocin; reduce screen time before bed to raise melatonin and aim for 7–9 hours of sleep, ideally before midnight, for better rest and hormonal balance.
The Times investigates the rise of at‑home testosterone testing and TRT, warning that testing testosterone in isolation can mislead and drive unnecessary treatment. It urges comprehensive medical evaluation by a clinician, morning blood tests, and lifestyle changes before considering TRT, noting its higher costs and potential health risks.
More women are being diagnosed with ADHD in midlife, a pattern researchers link to hormonal changes that may reveal symptoms long mistaken for burnout, aging, or anxiety, prompting calls for more nuanced recognition and treatment.
A zebra finch study shows that the early-morning song isn’t random joy but a rebound from nocturnal silence: melatonin and hormones prime the birds to wake, and the return of light lets them release the stored energy in a powerful dawn chorus, a timing-based vocal warm-up pattern observed across species.
Arousal is a complex, multi-system process driven by brain cues, the autonomic nervous system, and neurochemicals such as dopamine, nitric oxide and oxytocin. It can begin with physical sensations or mental cues (reflex vs desire-driven) and varies by person and between sexes, with features like female “tenting.” Stress and health changes can dampen desire, while long-term relationships often rely on cue-driven arousal and deliberate mood-setting. The piece also notes age-related and health factors that can affect arousal, underscoring the importance of communication and health checks to maintain sexual well-being.
Scientific research is challenging the idea that women are naturally more empathetic than men. While women often score slightly higher on empathy tests, the gap is small with substantial overlap, and both biology (like prenatal testosterone exposure) and social factors influence empathy. Some researchers question the hormonal explanation, and genetic studies show only a small genetic contribution with environment playing a large role. Brain responses to empathic cues are largely similar across genders when not biased by context, and empathy can be learned. Societal expectations and power dynamics shape how empathy is expressed, and there’s a broader shift toward more empathetic masculinity as caregiving becomes more common among men.
Doctors note that the number-one sign of chronically elevated cortisol is unexplained belly fat from visceral fat, which can occur even without changes to diet or exercise; cortisol levels can rise due to stress, illness, sleep deprivation, pregnancy, inflammation, and certain foods or medications, so consult a physician if you notice persistent abdominal weight gain accompanied by other health changes.
During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes can trigger acne in midlife—often on the chin and jawline—even for women who’ve been clear for years. Treatments are typically hormonal (spironolactone, birth control, or hormone therapy) plus topical retinoids or antibiotics, with isotretinoin for more severe cases. Lifestyle steps like adequate sleep, stress management, non-comedogenic skincare, and proper cleansing help; if OTC products fail after about two months, see a dermatologist. Acne often improves after menopause, though evidence on GLP-1 medications and acne remains inconclusive.