ABOUT HORMONES
How many times have you heard that your body is a mystery?
Spoiler alert, it’s not. The answers lie with your hormones – your body’s chemical messengers, and Hormona can help you understand them.
ABOUT HORMONES
Spoiler alert, it’s not. The answers lie with your hormones – your body’s chemical messengers, and Hormona can help you understand them.
80%
of women suffer from hormonal imbalances
75%
of women say they do not understand their hormones
60%
of women feel lonely in their hormonal journey
Some of the main hormones found in a woman’s body included
Estrogen
Is actually a group of hormones (Estradiol, Estriol and Estrone) that play an important role in women’s sexual and reproductive development. This group of sex hormones are mainly produced in the ovaries, but can also be produced in smaller volumes by the adrenal glands and fatty tissue. An imbalance can be associated with symptoms such as low libido, depression, and weight gain.
Progesterone
This is a sex hormone that helps your body prepare for pregnancy. It also plays an important role in your menstrual cycle and is a good indicator of fertility, as it can confirm healthy ovulation. Disturbances or imbalances in your progesterone levels can result in mood changes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression.
FSH
Also known as Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, and as the name implies this hormone stimulates ovarian follicles to mature their eggs and increase Estrogen production. It’s made in the pituitary gland and is essential for reproductive development and ovarian function. FSH can also be an indicator of your ovarian reserve. Imbalances in FSH are associated with infertility, irregular periods, and hot flashes.
Have you ever wondered what is actually happening in your body every month during your cycle? Or how your periods happen? Your hormones play a crucial role in regulating the three phases of your menstrual cycle.
The different phases of you cycle are called the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase and luteal phase, and they are determined by the levels and interactions of hormones in your body.
The menstrual phase, also known as the menstruation period, marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle for individuals with a female reproductive system. This phase typically lasts around 3 to 7 days, although variations are common. During this time, the uterine lining that built up during the previous cycle in preparation for potential pregnancy is shed. This shedding leads to the release of blood and tissue through the vagina. Hormone levels, specifically estrogen and progesterone, are relatively low during the menstrual phase. Menstruation itself is a visible reminder of the complex interplay between hormones, the uterus, and the entire reproductive system.
Following the menstrual phase, the follicular phase commences. Lasting approximately 7 to 10 days, this phase is characterized by the development of follicles within the ovaries. These follicles are small, fluid-filled sacs that contain developing egg cells. As the follicles grow, they release hormones, primarily estrogen, which plays a crucial role in thickening the uterine lining. As the phase progresses, one dominant follicle emerges, while the others regress. The follicular phase is a time of renewal and preparation, as the body readies itself for the possibility of fertilization and conception.
Midway through the menstrual cycle, typically around day 14 in a 28-day cycle, the ovulation phase occurs. This is a pivotal moment in the reproductive cycle, as it marks the release of a mature egg from the dominant follicle in one of the ovaries. The surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the rupture of the follicle, releasing the egg into the fallopian tube. Ovulation is a brief and time-sensitive event, usually lasting around 24 hours. It is during this phase that the chances of fertilization are highest, as sperm can potentially meet the egg in the fallopian tube. Ovulation is a key milestone in the intricate dance of hormones and reproductive processes.
Following ovulation, the luteal phase sets in, which lasts roughly 10 to 14 days. This phase is named after the corpus luteum, a structure that forms from the collapsed follicle after releasing the egg. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining the uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg (now called a zygote) travels down the fallopian tube and implants itself into the uterine lining, leading to pregnancy. However, if fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, causing progesterone levels to drop. This drop triggers the shedding of the uterine lining during the next menstrual phase, starting the cycle anew.
Think of hormones as the keys to specific cells that have the right locks, or receptors. These receptors form part of every cell in your body, and can either trigger the action of the hormone in the cell, or stop it. Hormones can only unlock the cells with the right receptors, however.
In an ideal world, this would be plain sailing. But when things start to go wrong, your cells can stop using hormones as effectively as they should, even if you’re producing the right amount. This can lead to an increase in hormone production, as your cells report that levels aren’t right, slowly creating an imbalance. And that can result in a whole host of seemingly unrelated physical and emotional symptoms.
The rollercoaster that is irregular menstrual cycles affects us all at some point in our lives. Whether it’s puberty, post-pregnancy, PCOS, PMDD or Perimenopause, every woman experiences that uncertainty, and the stress it can bring. Learn more.
Hair loss is a prevalent issue for many women, often triggered by hormonal imbalances. Gain valuable insights into how hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact hair health and explore a range of effective strategies. Learn more.
Hair loss is a prevalent issue for many women, often triggered by hormonal imbalances. Gain valuable insights into how hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact hair health and explore a range of effective strategies. Learn more.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrom is one of the most common hormone-related conditions. Estimates vary, but anywhere from 4% to 20% of women around the world are living with PCOS. There is no cure, but effective ways to eliminate symptoms. Learn more.
Hormone issues that stem from your thyroid can be far-reaching, despite the general over or under-active nature of an imbalance. The symptoms are often individual and dependent on the severity of your imbalance. Learn more.
Although menopause happens to every woman eventually, it’s still largely mysterious to medicine. Erratic estrogen levels, coupled with correspondingly erratic FSH levels can cause a litany of symptoms. Learn more.
Hair loss is a prevalent issue for many women, often triggered by hormonal imbalances. Gain valuable insights into how hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact hair health and explore a range of effective strategies. Learn more.
Perhaps the least understood of all the women-specific hormone-related conditions, Prementstrual Dysphoric Disorder, can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Characterized by extreme, often life-changing mood and personality fluctuations. Learn more.
We are backed by science.
Hormona is supported by leading endocrinologists, gynecologists and nutritionists, meaning the combined knowledge behind Hormona is unrivaled, and puts your health in the safest of hands.
As you get to know your individual hormones and cycle using the Hormona tracking app, you’ll quickly see just how much your hormones fluctuate over the course of a cycle.
Those fluctuations impact your life every day by influencing your mood, sleep patterns, energy levels and productivity. We can help you harness the power of your hormones, predicting when symptoms are likely to strike, and how long they’ll affect you.