Hormones: What are they and why Is hormonal balance important?

Hormones: What are they and why Is hormonal balance important?

Written by Rachel Walsh MPH, MS

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemicals made by the body that send signals telling cells and organs how and when to function. These signals are critical to the body’s chemistry and to maintaining health and well-being. Hormonal signals regulate or control many biological processes and are responsible for critical functions, including.

  • Human growth and development
  • Metabolism
  • Electrolyte balance
  • Reproduction

Humans produce many hormones that influence everything from breathing to emotions. The most well-known female sex hormones—or those that control sexual development, menstruation, pregnancy, and more—are estrogen and progesterone. Other female sex hormones include follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which along with estrogen and progesterone, control the menstrual cycle.

Where do hormones come from?

The endocrine system is the biological system that produces and controls hormones; it is made up of glands (groups of specialized cells).

Some glands in the endocrine system and their functions, are:

  • Pituitary gland: Also known as the master control gland; regulates other glands, including the ovaries; controls growth and many other bodily processes
  • Thyroid gland: Produces hormones that help control metabolism
  • Adrenal glands: Release hormones that manage bodily processes such as stress response, blood pressure, and metabolism
  • Pancreas: Produces insulin, glucagon, and other hormones, but is primarily responsible for controlling blood sugar levels
  • Hypothalamus: Serves as the main link between the endocrine and nervous systems; produces hormones that regulate body temperature, appetite, weight, mood, sex drive, sleep, and thirst
  • Ovaries: Female reproductive glands that produce eggs and sex hormones—including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone—that are vital to reproductive organ development, breast development, bone health, pregnancy, and fertility

In addition, the gut is often considered part of—or an extension of—the endocrine system.  The gut “microbiota” refers to all of the microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa) in the gastrointestinal tract that play a critical role in human health. In humans, and in females in particular, the gut plays a critical role in influencing hormonal levels.

How does hormonal communication work?

The endocrine system is always working to maintain homeostasis—a constant internal environment. This requires ongoing communication throughout the body, and hormones are key to this communication. 

The process through which this happens looks like this:

  • In response to a specific stimulus, the body signals a gland to release specific hormones into the bloodstream or into fluid surrounding cells >
  • These hormones travel to specific receiving or target cells within the body >
  • The hormones dock on the receiving/target cell, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions in the target cell >
  • The target cell’s function or activity is modified as a result of this process

In this way, cells follow hormonal (chemical) instructions to perform a specific function or action.

Some hormonal processes are fairly straightforward; for example, the pancreas releases the hormones insulin and glucagon, which in turn regulate blood sugar levels in the body.3 Other hormones are part of complex systems or feedback loops, such as the hormones that control the menstrual cycle.

Chart showing glandular and organ production of hormones as they enter the bloodstream and are delivered to target cells.

Why is hormonal balance important?

Hormones are powerful signals and hormone production and secretion must be tightly controlled in order to maintain homeostasis within the body. Having slightly too many or too few hormones can result in hormonal imbalance, which can cause unwanted physical symptoms and lead to conditions that require treatment.

There are many medical conditions associated with hormonal imbalance, including diabetes and thyroid disease. Additionally, a number of conditions are associated with an imbalance of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Increasingly, the gut’s critical role in female homeostasis is gaining attention. A growing body of research points to the gut microbiota as key in influencing circulating levels of estrogen, which can affect everything from body weight to follicle development. Gut and hormonal health are implicated in diseases including PCOS, endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids, and other disorders.

While conditions related to hormonal imbalance can be difficult to prevent, research shows that specific lifestyle choices can support hormone health.  Hormones are complicated, and they affect everything that happens in the body. However, with incremental, deliberate behavioral shifts, improved hormonal health may be possible. For example, smoking, alcohol, and stress, are considered to have negative effects on hormonal balance. On the other hand, certain dietary and nutritional measures, as well as exercise have been shown to aid in hormonal homeostasis.  Experts suggest eating a diet of whole unprocessed foods like vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and fruits, as well as limiting consumption of processed or sugary foods and drinks.

References 

  1. Endocrine Society. Hormones and endocrine function. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function. Accessed May 5, 2024. 
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Endocrine system. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21201-endocrine-system. Accessed May 5, 2024.
  3. Hiller-Sturmhöfel S, Bartke A. The endocrine system: an overview. Alcohol Health and Research World. 1998;22(3):153-164.
  4. Herstasis Health Foundation. Hormones 101. https://www.herstasis.com/hormone-primer/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWaOcS0CkDta4Do_Dbn4D9U3QKfrWgrTvgyqDxZo8347usYHM8sDt3waAvdHEALw_wcB. Accessed May 9, 2024. 
  5. Wang M-Y, Sang L-X, Sun S-Y. Gut microbia and female health. World J Gastroenterol. 2024;30(12):1655-1662.
  6. Chadchan SB, Singh V, Kommagani R. Female reproductive dysfunctions and the gut microbia. J Mol Endocrinol. 2022;69(3):R81-R94.
  7. Yu J. Endocrine disorders and the neurologic manifestations. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2014;19(4):184-190.
  8. Campbell M, JIalal I. Physiology, endocrine hormones. StatPearls [Internet]. September 26, 2022. 
  9. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Overview of the endocrine system. https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-system. Accessed May 5, 2024.
  10. Piedmont. What causes hormonal imbalance? https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/what-causes-hormonal-imbalances. Accessed May 9, 2024.
  11. Elkafas H et al. Gut and genital tract microbiomes: dysbiosis and link to gynecological disorders. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 Dec 16:12:1059825.
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