How hormones affect your health

They're the chemical messengers that travel, via our blood, to every organ and tissue in our body. But what happens when there is too little or too much of a particular hormone in your body and how can you fix it?

Oestrogen

What it does: Oestrogen is the main female hormone. It's secreted by the ovaries and is responsible for reproduction, menstruation and menopause.

Why an imbalance occurs: Cases of excess oestrogen are rare but can occur due to use of oral contraceptives or post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Low oestrogen is a more common imbalance and can occur with poor diet, excessive exercise, and diseases and disorders of the pituitary gland (the gland that controls the release of oestrogen in the ovaries).

Signs it's out of balance: External signs of an imbalance include, acne, skin lesions, thinning skin and hair loss. Excess levels can also mean constipation, moodiness, depression, and chronic musculoskeletal aches while low levels of oestrogen can lead to osteoporosis.

What you can do: Taking nutritional supplements like magnesium and vitamin B complex can help lower oestrogen levels as can the application of a natural progesterone cream. Low levels of oestrogen is most commonly corrected with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but lifestyle changes such as an improved diet and increased exercise can also help.

Testosterone

What it does: Essentially a male hormone, testosterone is the main sex hormone in men and women, and is an anabolic steroid by nature helping the body build muscle.

Why an imbalance occurs: The production of the right amount of testosterone is dependent on lifestyle: diet, mood, and day-to-day activities. Experts say eating too much meat, living a sedentary lifestyle, excessive drinking and smoking can all lead to testosterone imbalance and early andropause (when levels of testosterone decline naturally and also known as the male menopause).

Signs it's out of balance: For men and women, weight gain (especially around the tummy), decreased libido, insomnia, depression and poor memory can be signs testosterone levels are out of whack. In men, low testosterone levels can lead to erectile dysfunction while, in women, high levels of testosterone can cause excess hair growth and a deepening of the voice and acne.

What you can do: See your doctor to have your levels tested. Small changes such as reducing stress, eating a healthy diet and regular exercise can get testosterone levels back on track.

Serotonin

What it does: Serotonin is also known as nature's feel-good chemical. It helps to regulate mood, sleep cycles, appetite, memory, and some muscular functions.

Why an imbalance occurs: Unlike oestrogen and testosterone levels which can be linked to lifestyle, with a serotonin imbalance, sometimes the brain simply does not produce enough of the hormone to properly regulate your mood and stress levels. In cases of an excess level of serotonin, recreational drugs, some medications or supplements can be the culprit.

Signs it's out of balance: Low levels of serotonin can cause depression. Other signs levels are low include migraines, weight gain, panic attacks, carbohydrate cravings and insomnia problems. Too much serotonin is a serious problem and can cause agitation, confusion, sedation and a decreased libido.

What you can do: See your doctor to have levels tested. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to balance levels of serotonin in the brain. Natural ways to help regulate the production of serotonin include regular sleep (7-8 hours per night), eating foods high in tryptophan such as pork, avocado and yoghurt and getting enough exercise.

Cortisol

What it does: Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol is the hormone responsible for helping you stay healthy and energetic. Its main purpose is to control physical and psychological stress.

Why an imbalance occurs: In stressful times, the body's natural reaction is to boost cortisol levels to help cope with the situation. Generally these decrease to normal levels afterwards, though in some people cortisol levels remain high.

Signs it's out of balance: Consistently high levels of cortisol can cause stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety and high levels of cholesterol. Conversely low levels of cortisol can be responsible for conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and alcoholism.

What you can do: Developing ways to deal with stress is essential for those with high levels of cortisol. Relaxation techniques and meditation can help. If all else fails, try to remove yourself from any situation that is leading to your heightened stress levels.