Why is Hormone Balance Important?

Very high or low levels of hormones exist in different life stages and processes. The latter include pregnancy, menopause, and aging. At the same time, hormone imbalance is linked to weight gain or loss, depression, organ problems, and many other health issues. One of the most important types of hormones that need to be balanced is the sex steroids. In this article, we will focus on the role of sex steroid hormone balance in health. Specifically, we will cover the following: 

• Functions of sex steroid hormones
• Health problems associated with sex hormone imbalance
• How aging causes an imbalance of sex hormones
• How hormone imbalance can cause snoring

Let’s now discuss each of the above topics. 

Functions of sex steroid hormones

The sex steroid hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are produced mainly by the ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands. All three hormones can be found naturally in males’ and females’ bodies. In females, the main job of estrogen is to make sure that the reproductive organs develop and work normally. It is also responsible for the pattern of fat storage and distribution that leads to the typical female shape. In addition, it controls the menstrual cycle and helps facilitate pregnancy and milk production for breastfeeding. It helps maintain sexual drive too.¹ On the other hand, in males, estrogen plays a role in bone development and function. It contributes to sexual drive and performance as well.² In both genders, estrogen takes part in maintaining smooth muscle tone in various parts of the body.³ 

As for progesterone, it is produced during a phase of the menstrual cycle in females. It is also found in the placenta for most of pregnancy. Progesterone prepares a female's body for pregnancy by changing the lining of the uterus. Additionally, this hormone acts along with estrogen to get the mammary glands ready to produce milk.¹ Meanwhile, progesterone influences the formation of sperm cells and the hormone testosterone in males. Furthermore, the hormone affects various organs and systems, including the brain and spinal cord, the kidneys, the immune system, the respiratory system, and fat tissue.⁴ In males and females alike, progesterone not only prevents bone weakening, but also stimulates weight gain and appetite.

Lastly, testosterone stimulates the growth and development of the male sex organs. Moreover, it is responsible for other male characteristics, such as a deepened voice and facial and body hair growth during puberty. In adult males, testosterone maintains sexual drive and controls sperm production. Plus, it helps form protein, which in turn increases muscle mass. When it comes to females, testosterone contributes to sexual desire. In postmenopausal women, testosterone improves mental performance, energy levels, and mood. It promotes muscle and bone health too.⁵ 

Health problems associated with sex hormone imbalance

When there is an imbalance of sex hormones (or any other type of hormone), the body cannot properly respond to changes in its surroundings. The imbalance also prevents a constant internal environment for the body.¹ In other words, too much or little of any of the sex hormones can lead to health issues. 

Rapid decreases in estrogen come with menopause. Such decline causes symptoms like hot flashes, sweating, palpitations, anxiety, and depression. In contrast, excess estrogen – especially the synthetic version used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – is linked to cancer and stroke.¹ 

Regarding progesterone, low levels of this hormone lead to an irregular menstrual cycle. They also cause headaches and osteoporosis. High levels, on the other hand, are linked to bloating and weight gain.

Finally, some signs of low testosterone are reduced sex drive, body hair loss, and muscle weakness. Too little of the hormone is also linked to mental symptoms like brain fog and difficulty with focusing. Meanwhile, acne, deepening of the voice, and excessive body hair can indicate high testosterone levels.

How aging causes an imbalance of sex hormones

The first year of menopause happens between the ages of 40 and 58. During this period, women lose an average of 80 percent of their estrogen per year. Conversely, estrogen levels go up for men as they age. This is because aging comes with an increase in aromatase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.⁶ 

By comparison, progesterone levels in pre-menopausal women vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Overall though, progesterone starts to decrease in the late 20s, then fall largely after 30. The hormone almost does not exist in the body by time females reach menopause. As for men, they have much lower progesterone levels to begin with. These small amounts continue to decrease with age as production of all the sex hormones slows down.

With regard to testosterone, its levels decrease by around 1 to 3 percent yearly starting the age of 35 to 40 in males. On the other hand, females experience a noticeable drop in testosterone from 20 to 40 years of age. By age 40, their testosterone levels are about 50 percent of those at age 20.⁷  When females reach menopause, the testosterone in their bodies is approximately just 15 percent of their pre-menopause levels.⁶ 

Regardless of the initial levels of the three hormones in different genders, progesterone and testosterone decline before (and to a greater degree than) estrogen. This is why aging results in hormonal imbalance – that is, a relative excess of estrogen – in both genders. 

Conclusion

Because older people have a relative excess of estrogen, they often develop health problems associated with high estrogen levels. Snoring is one of these conditions that get more common as people age. As mentioned earlier, estrogen levels affect smooth muscle tone. In particular, too much estrogen increases the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue, which is what the esophagus is made of.  When we breathe through a relaxed esophagus while lying down, the air that passes through makes our smooth muscle tissue there vibrate. This is how snoring happens. (If the esophagus collapses completely so that breathing stops, the condition is called sleep apnea.) The good news is, there is a natural and permanent way to get rid of snoring. Check out The Snoring Diet Solution, a proven six-week program that offers relief from snoring in as little as two weeks!

References

1. The Endocrine System (nih.gov)
2. Impact of estrogens in males and androgens in females
3. Rapid effects of estrogen on intracellular Ca²⁺ regulation in human airway smooth muscle
4. Progesterone: the forgotten hormone in men?
5. The role of testosterone in women
6. The Role of Androgens and Estrogens on Healthy Aging and Longevity
7. Androgens and Women at the Menopause and Beyond