As you age, you move through different stages of life – from birth, childhood and adolescence, to adulthood, ageing and end of life.
It is during the adulthood and ageing life-stages where most people begin to experience certain events or health conditions, which may be related to their hormones. Some of these may include menopause, andropause (or male menopause), pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
See more at Hormones & Ageing below.
You may also consider Hormone Testing from a qualified health practitioner.
Hormones & Ageing
As we age, changes naturally occur in the way body systems are controlled. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling hormone. Amounts of hormones produced may also change.
Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are unchanged. Hormones are also broken down (metabolised) more slowly.
Many of the organs that produce hormones are controlled by other hormones. Ageing also changes this process, producing less of certain hormones or the same amount at a slower rate.
What changes with age?
The hypothalamus is located in the brain. It produces hormones that control the other parts of the endocrine system. The amount of these regulating hormones stays about the same, but the response by the endocrine system organs can change as we age.
For example, a hormone called TRH makes the pituitary gland produce thyrotropin, or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In women, the amount of TSH produced does not decrease with time, but it does in men.
The pituitary gland is also located in the brain. This gland reaches its maximum size in middle age and then gradually becomes smaller. It has two parts:
- The back (posterior) portion stores hormones produced in the hypothalamus.
- The front (anterior) portion produces hormones that affect the thyroid gland (TSH), adrenal cortex, ovaries, testes, and breasts.
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces hormones that help control metabolism. With ageing, the thyroid often becomes lumpy (nodular) or less capable of producing thyroid hormone. Metabolism gradually declines from about age 25.
The parathyroids are four tiny glands located around the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone affects calcium and phosphate levels. This, in turn, affects the strength of the bones. Changes in the level of parathyroid hormones may contribute to osteoporosis.
Insulin is produced by the pancreas. A molecule of insulin fits into a place on the cell wall called an insulin receptor site. It acts like a lock and key to help sugar (glucose) go from the blood to the inside of cells, where it can be used for energy.
The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. The adrenal cortex, the surface layer, produces the hormones aldosterone and cortisol.
- Aldosterone regulates fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Cortisol is the “stress response” hormone. It affects the breakdown of glucose, protein, and fat, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy effects.
- Aldosterone secretion decreases with age, which can contribute to light-headedness and a drop in blood pressure with sudden position changes (orthostatic hypotension). Cortisol secretion decreases with aging, but the blood level stays about the same.**
What are the most hormone-linked life stages?
Menopause: typically occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, but may occur even earlier in some women (premature menopause). As women approach menopause, the production of certain hormones, such as oestrogen, begins to slow down. When hormone levels eventually decline to a point when menstruation or periods cease completely, women experience menopause. This decline in hormones can often cause women to become more susceptible to other health risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc).
The most common symptom of menopause that women experience are hot flashes (feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat). Other symptoms may include night sweats, headaches, difficulty sleeping or disrupted sleep, decreased sex drive, irritability, frequent urination and tiredness.
Andropause: often dubbed as “male menopause”, andropause typically occurs in men from the age of 30, and is a result of a decline in the level of testosterone and other androgens (male hormones) being produced in their bodies. This decline is thought to take place at a rate of 10 percent, as men age, and can affect mood, memory and overall health and wellbeing. Men who are experiencing andropause may also be more susceptible to long term health risks, such as cardiovascular disease.
Whilst symptoms of andropause can often be vague, some common indicators may include rapid weight gain, erectile dysfunction, night sweats, hot flashes and decreased libido or sex drive.
Puberty: During puberty, the production rate of growth hormone (GH) doubles and is associated with an increase in growth rate. A significant percentage of final adult height is attained during puberty. After puberty, the production rate of GH decreases with age.
Puberty also heralds signals from the brain to reproductive organs (ovaries and testes). In response, a variety of hormones are produced that stimulate the growth, function, or transformation of brain, bones, muscle, skin, breasts and sexual organs.
Pregnancy: Progesterone is a hormone primarily produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Levels of progesterone in the body rise as pregnancy progresses which affects smooth muscle and cartilage in preparation for birth.
Estrogens also increase during pregnancy to increase uterine blood flow. Prolactin, the hormone that allows for lactation postpartum, also increases throughout pregnancy.
What are some common hormone-linked conditions?
PMS: Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) affects most menstruating women, albeit to varying degrees – from mild to severe (typically affects around 5 per cent of women). PMS refers to the range of symptoms women experience, both physical and emotional, in the lead up to their period.
The symptoms of PMS are far ranging, but may include irritability, depression, memory problems, fatigue, anxiety, trouble sleeping, changes in sex drive, bloating or weight gain, headaches and abdominal pain.
PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women, affecting around 5-10 per cent of the population. Symptoms of PCOS generally start to occur from puberty, however some women may experience symptoms in their 20s. Women with PCOS may also be at increased risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.
Symptoms of PCOS may include irregular periods, acne, excess facial hair, infertility, depression, anxiety, disrupted sleep and mood disorders.
Endometriosis: an oestrogen dependent disorder, affecting about 3-10 per cent of women, which occurs when the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) becomes ‘misplaced’ or grows in areas outside of the uterus, such as the ovaries, bowel or bladder. The endometrium and misplaced cells start to thicken during ovulation, however, these misplaced cells cannot leave the body through a normal period. Instead, they bleed directly onto the surface of the organs surrounding it, often causing inflammation, pain and scar tissue and may sometimes lead to other long-term health complications, such as infertility.
Common symptoms of endometriosis may include painful periods, pain or discomfort during intercourse, irregular bleeding, frequent urination, changes in mood, tiredness or fatigue and bloating.
BPH: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disease in men, which develops with age, typically from the age of 40. A decline or deficiency in the amount of testosterone produced by the body may lead to developing BPH .
Whilst some men may not experience any symptoms, common indicators may include frequent urination, pain when urinating or blood in the urine.
Obesity: a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems (WHO, 2000). In adults, obesity is considered to exist when your body mass index (BMI) is equal to or greater than 30, or when you weigh more than 20-25 per cent over your recommended ideal weight for your height, age and build.
Often an excess or deficiency in your hormone levels may lead to obesity. For example, a deficiency in oestrogen may sometimes lead to weight gain, as it is the hormone responsible for body fat distribution.
Depression: whilst it often goes undiagnosed, depression is a serious physical and psychological illness, and typically effects one in six males and one in four females. A hormone imbalance may inhibit your body from experiencing positive moods and managing stress and may lead to depression in both men and women. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone have an important effect on depression, boosting serotonin levels, promoting sleep and causing a natural sense of calm so restoring optimal hormone levels is essential. In addition, men with low testosterone levels tend to be more susceptible to depression.
Some symptoms of depression may include mood disorders, decline in energy levels, poor concentration and memory, uncontrolled emotions, low self-esteem, disrupted sleep or insomnia and loss of appetite.
You may want to consider Hormone Testing from a qualified health practitioner.
Hormone imbalances and associated symptoms
Men and women may experience various hormone imbalances. Outlined below are the key hormone imbalances for both groups, along with their associated symptoms.
Female hormone imbalances:
Oestrogen deficiency: is most common in menopausal women and includes symptoms such as night sweats, bladder infections, memory problems, pain during intercourse, depression caused by lethargy and hot flashes. Oestrogen plays an important role in bone health, protects the heart and influences mood.
Excess oestrogen: may sometimes be caused by synthetic hormones (HRTs) prescribed by doctors for menopausal women. Symptoms may include rapid weight gain, mood swings, insomnia, migraines, depression caused by anxiety, tender breasts, heavy periods and bloating, infertility or reproductive discunction, breast diseases and thyroid disorders.
Oestrogen dominance: caused when you don’t have enough progesterone to balance the effects of oestrogen (i.e. you may already have low oestrogen levels, but if you have even lower levels of progesterone, it can lead to symptoms of oestrogen dominance). Primarily occurs in women aged in their 40s and 50s. Some symptoms may include mood swings, PMS, insomnia, rapid or unexplained weight gain, headaches and depression.
Progesterone deficiency: the most common hormone imbalance among women of all ages. Symptoms may include PMS, insomnia, early miscarriage, unexplained weight gain, painful or tender breasts, headaches in line with menstrual cycle; menopause and fertility issues and anxiety.
Excess androgens (male hormones): can be caused by having too much sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet, and can sometimes be found in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Symptoms can include infertility, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), PCOS, excessive facial hair and acne.
Male hormone imbalances:
Testosterone deficiency: most common in men aged over 50. Some symptoms may include weight loss, fatigue, decreased stamina, loss of muscle, excessive acne, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland), prostate disease, enlarged breasts, erectile dysfunction and low sex drive.
Excess oestrogen: can potentially make men more susceptible to experiencing a cardiovascular event (e.g. blood clots). Symptoms may include headaches, enlarged breasts, hair loss, enlarged prostate, weight gain, bloating and mood swings or irritability.
