What Traces Do Hormonal Changes Leave On Our Skin

Hormones have a considerable effect on our body and especially on the skin. Therefore, it is not surprising that when our body undergoes hormonal changes - such as puberty and menopause - the skin also suffers.

Puberty

As we approach puberty, the pituitary gland, buried deep in the brain, produces hormones that trigger the release of other hormones that in turn stimulate the body's growth, turning it into an adult. In girls, puberty is manifested by the growth of the breasts, the appearance of pubic hair, and the storage of fat in certain parts of the body.

In boys, puberty is manifested by the growth of the penis, the appearance of pubic hair, followed by facial hair and other areas of the body, by the development of muscles and thickening of the voice.

Girls' bodies secrete not only more progesterone and estrogen, but also so-called female hormones, and also some male hormones also called androgens. In boys, although their body secretes a certain amount of estrogen, the focus is definitely on androgens.

In women, if the level of androgen hormones is very high, it will protect the hair more in the areas where it usually appears to men, while in men it leads to baldness.

Estrogen hormones reduce the size and secretion of the sebaceous glands. The sebum also loses its consistency. On the other hand, male hormones increase the size of the sebaceous glands, stimulating the secretion of sebum, which is why boys are more prone to acne. Testosterone also stimulates collagen secretion, which makes men's skin thicker, while estrogen makes skin softer and softer.

Menopause

The effects of hormonal changes experienced by women between the ages of 45 and 55 are well known, especially those who have experienced the symptoms of menopause - hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, decreased mood, and lack of libido. All this is caused by a reduction in the amount of estrogen in the body.

However, the skin texture changes are much more subtle. As we already know, changes play an important role in the texture of the skin and the substances that secrete them. The main difference between hormonal balance and premenopause or postmenopause is the decrease in estrogen levels. As a result, the woman's body is more exposed to the effects of testosterone, which have been "masked" by estrogen hormones.

Effects on the skin of low estrogen levels

Oily skin - testosterone stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, giving the skin an oily appearance. Pimple-like spots and irritations appear.

Unwanted hair - also due to testosterone due to the decrease in estrogen, unwanted hair appears on the body

Skin thinning - estrogen increases the rate of division and reproduction of epidermal cells. With the reduction of estrogen, the number of new cells decreases.

Dryness and loss of skin firmness - estrogen stimulates the secretion of certain substances (hyaluronic acid, for example), which keep the skin hydrated, firm, and velvety. When estrogen levels drop, the skin begins to lose its radiance.

How to avoid harmful estrogens in the environment

To protect yourself from the effects of hormonal changes, it is good to reduce your exposure to artificial estrogens, called xenoestrogens. These are estrogen-like chemicals found in the environment.

Although it may seem like a good thing, these substances wreak havoc on the hormonal balance and complicate the detoxification process.

Many chemicals have similar properties to hormones and have been associated with hormone disruption affecting the menstrual cycle, fertility, sperm formation.

Although it is impossible to completely avoid chemicals, it is good to reduce exposure to these substances. For example, we can buy organic products, drink spring or filtered water, not smoke, use birth control pills, and do not resort to hormone replacement treatments.

Help from nature

Phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances found in plants can be a real help to the body when it suffers from hormonal disorders. Unlike chemicals, estrogen can help us counteract the devastating effects of estrogen deficiency.

There are a lot of hormone-like substances in natural foods. Soy, for example, is a rich source of hormones mainly due to the two substances it contains - genistein, daidzein.

Phytoestrogens also reduce menopausal symptoms. Soy has been reported to be harmful because of its phytate content, which would block the absorption of important minerals such as calcium. Most cereals, including wheat, contain phytates, so soy should not be completely excluded from the diet.

Sources of phytoestrogens:

• soy

• Alfalfa (alfalfa)

• Flaxseed

• Beans

• Oat

• Celery

• Parsley

Herbs such as agnus castus (fruit of chastity), cimicifuga racemosa, angelica sinensis or dioscorea villosa.