What are Hormones: Functions, Types & More

Home > Hormone imbalance > What are Hormones: Functions, Types & More

Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate various bodily functions, including mood, growth, sleep-wake cycle, reproduction and more.

All hormones are produced in specific levels. Having more or less than these levels can cause hormonal imbalances and impact health in various ways.

In this article, we’ll talk about everything related to hormones, including their roles, types, and hormonal imbalance.

Take Hormone Quiz

What are hormones?

On a scientific level, hormones are molecules in the body that are created by the endocrine system (a system that controls, produces, and communicates hormones to the rest of the body).

The role of hormones is to send messages to different parts of the body to do their job.

In many ways, hormones regulate the processes that your body goes through on a regular basis.

Hormones control various functions, including:

• Hunger
• Sexual function
• Body temperature
• Blood sugar levels
• Blood pressure
• Metabolic processes
• Normal development

Most people associate hormones with specifically being important to sex and reproduction, but they are in fact crucial for every system in the body.

Though the endocrine system is responsible for creating and sending different hormones, the receiving systems have hormone receptor sites to receive and interpret these messages.

Hormones go together with hormone receptor sites like two puzzle pieces.

Who has hormones?

Everyone has hormones in varying degrees. They play a critical role in the body and a number of bodily functions.

Though everyone does have hormones, some hormones are more important to particular genders. For instance, men need higher amounts of testosterone and women, oestrogen.

What do hormones do?

Hormones mainly facilitate communication in the body. They do two forms of communication:

First, your endocrine system releases hormones towards a target gland (a body part that produces hormones) to signal it to increase or decrease its hormone production.

For instance, your pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that stimulate the testes to produce testosterone.

The second form of communication is done between an endocrine gland and a target organ.

For instance, the pancreas releases the insulin hormone that helps the liver (its target organ) process glucose.

Hormones are reactionary molecules that are sent to your body’s systems when events happen.

When you eat, the pancreas produces insulin. Insulin helps regulate the blood sugar in your body.

If you are involved in a high-intensity car accident, your adrenal glands might push adrenaline into your bloodstream to help you react to the situation as quickly as possible.

Which body tissues make hormones?

Hormones are produced by endocrine glands and certain tissues that synthesise and release them into the bloodstream, from where they travel to their target site.

There are various kinds of glands in humans that produce their respective hormones. Major endocrine glands and tissues include:

• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland (posterior pituitary and anterior pituitary lobes)
• Pineal gland
• Thyroid gland
• Parathyroid glands
• Thymus
• Pancreas
• Adrenal glands
• Ovaries
• Testes

Some other body tissues that secrete hormones but are not a part of the endocrine system are the liver, kidneys and gut.

What are the types of reproductive hormones?

Here are the most common reproductive hormones and a brief overview of what each of them is responsible for and where they can be found.

Androgens

Androgens are an important hormone that is made from cholesterol. This hormone is present in women and is created in the adrenal gland as well as the ovaries.

Most individuals who are experiencing an imbalance of hormones having to do with Androgens have an excess of androgens that are at a higher level than what is supposed to be present in a normal, healthy person.

Those who are experiencing high androgen levels will experience a variety of symptoms such as excessive hair growth, increased acne, irregularity in menstrual cycles, and infertility.

There are a number of conditions that can increase the risk for higher levels of Androgen and these include:

• Cushing’s Disease
• High Prolactin Levels
• Tumours in the Ovaries
• Adrenal Tumors
• PCOS

Progesterone

Progesterone is one of the most vital hormones that are involved in pregnancy.

For women who are in the middle of their menstrual cycle, progesterone will be low until they experience ovulation. When ovulation occurs, the level of progesterone rises.

Progesterone enables a fertilised egg to implant and result in pregnancy. For anyone who is trying to get pregnant, balanced progesterone is very important.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen is most commonly associated with women but is also present in men.

Its key role is with menstruation in women and also helps to regulate a number of other body functions like bone development, brain health, and cardiac health.

Testosterone

Testosterone is the dominant hormone present in men. It is crucial for several body functions such as body composition, bone health, energy levels, and more.

Men often experience low testosterone as they age and start losing 1% of testosterone a year from the age of 35.

There are a number of factors that could lead men to have low testosterone and hormonal imbalance, including external factors such as increased stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet.

What is hormonal imbalance?

Hormone imbalance means having more or less than the required amount of a hormone.

When your hormones are not balanced, it can cause severe side effects. These side effects can impact many areas of your life and can become debilitating.

What causes hormone imbalance?

There are various causes of hormone imbalance, including:

• Poor lifestyle habits like unhealthy diet, stress, lack or physical activity, etc.
• Certain medications
• Natural life stages such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause
• Lack of sleep
• Environmental toxins
• Being overweight or obese
• Tumours
• Injury to a gland

What medical conditions are caused by hormonal issues?

If you have high or low levels of a certain hormone, you may develop a medical condition.

Hormonal imbalance can lead to problems such as:

• Hormonal acne
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Infertility
• Obesity
• Mood disorders

What are the signs of hormone imbalance?

Your body makes over 50 hormones, each producing its own impact on the body. So, you can experience different symptoms based on which hormone’s levels are disturbed in your body.

Here are the most common symptoms of sex hormone imbalance:

• Low sex drive or libido
• Lack of energy
• Infertility
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Loss of muscle mass (in males)
• Heavy periods (in females)

How to test hormone levels?

Hormone levels are checked through various methods such as blood, saliva or urine tests, depending on which hormone you want to test.

Levels of most of the hormones are tested through a simple blood test, like a testosterone blood test.

In this test, your blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. Its report comes out after a few hours, which confirms the hormone’s concentration in your serum.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to hormone imbalance, discuss your condition with your doctor and get your hormone levels checked.

When is the best time to test for hormone imbalance?

That totally depends on which hormone you want to check.

Some hormones can be accurately measured at any time of the day, while others fluctuate and require testing at a specific time.

For instance, testosterone is mostly tested in the morning when its levels are the highest.

Similarly, female reproductive hormones like oestrogen are tested on specific days of the menstrual cycle, typically day 3.

Ask your doctor for detailed hormone-specific guidance.

How to fix hormonal imbalance?

Hormone imbalance is fixed based on what is causing it. For instance, if it is due to poor lifestyle habits or obesity, your doctor may ask you to adopt healthy lifestyle habits or lose weight.

If your hormone levels are lower than required, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It involves supplementing the deficient hormones through medications.

This therapy comes in multiple forms, such as injections, pills, cream, gel, and patches.

Hormone replacement therapy is commonly used for conditions like testosterone deficiency, male hypogonadism and menopause.

If your hormone levels are more than required, you may require radiation therapy, medications or surgery. Your doctor may prescribe a single treatment or a combination of different treatments based on what they think is the best approach for your specific condition.

How to balance hormones naturally?

Healthy lifestyle practices can be helpful in balancing hormone levels if these fluctuations are minor and the cause if lifestyle.

Here are the most effective ways to balance your hormones naturally:

• Exercise regularly as it impacts hormone synthesis and effectiveness in numerous ways.
• Eat enough protein to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to produce peptide hormones.
• Maintain a healthy weight as an increase in weight can disrupt hormonal levels.
• Tackle daily stress through stress management exercises like deep breathing.
• Get enough quality sleep as it is the time when your body heals and gets ready for the next day.
• Reduce refined sugar intake.

What kind of doctor treats hormone problems?

Endocrinologists are the doctors who treat hormone-related disorders.

Your general physician first examines your symptoms and health. If they diagnose a hormonal issue, they refer you to an endocrinologist.

Where to get my hormone levels tested?

Your endocrinologist or GP can refer you to reliable diagnostic labs where your hormone levels can be accurately measured.

There are some finger-prick test kits are also available for certain hormones like testosterone. You can order them from reliable online labs and get them delivered to your home.

Balance My Hormones provides trustworthy health and well-being test services. Check the available blood test options here to find what you need.

Is hormone replacement therapy safe?

Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment plan used all over the world to help individuals have normal hormone levels.

Oestrogen therapy is commonly used for menopausal women to help them manage menopause symptoms by increasing oestrogen levels.

Similarly, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is mostly used in men to bring their serum testosterone levels back to normal.

HRT is generally considered a safe treatment but it does come with a few side effects that you should discuss with your provider before starting it.

Your provider will evaluate your medical history to determine whether you are the right HRT candidate or not.

If they deem you a suitable candidate, they will create a personalised treatment plan. Ongoing monitoring through regular follow-ups and lab tests will also be done to adjust doses and reduce risks.

What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

If may need HRT of you experience the following symptoms:

For women:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular or stopped menstrual cycle
• Sleep issues
• Decreased libido

For men:

• Low energy levels
• Sleep disturbances
• Poor concentration
• Increased body fat
• Gynecomastia
• Mood changes
• Reduced libido
• Decreased muscle mass
• Erectile dysfunction

FAQs related to hormones

What are bioidentical hormones?

These are artificial hormones that are chemically similar to the natural hormones existing in our bodies. They are used in hormone replacement therapy.

What are hormone disrupters?

Hormone disrupters, also called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemical substances that interfere with normal hormone functioning.

Common hormone disrupters are bisphenol A (BPA) (found in plastics), pesticides and herbicides.

How to cure hormonal imbalance in females?

Discuss your health condition with your doctor to identify the underlying cause. Once the cause is identified, they will suggest a suitable treatment plan accordingly.

What type of hormones exist in humans?

Based on the chemical composition, humans produce three types of hormones: amino-acid-derived, lipid-derived (lipid-soluble hormones) and peptide hormones.

Major endocrine hormones are:

• Growth hormone
• Growth hormone-releasing hormone
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Cortisol (stress hormone)
• Pregnancy hormones (progesterone, oestrogen, human chorionic gonadotropin, etc.)
• Water-soluble hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
• Steroid hormones (testosterone, estrone, etc.)
• Thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), etc.)
• Parathyroid hormone

Why are hormones important?

Hormones secreted by the pancreas and other endocrine glands are crucial because they are involved in numerous processes in the body. Any disruption in their levels can disturb your mental, physical or social well-being in various ways.

Summing it up

Hormones are essential for overall health. The human body has the ability to naturally balance all hormones on its own.

However, sometimes, hormone fluctuations can result from one condition or another.

If you are experiencing a hormone imbalance, talk to your doctor on time to find its cause and treatment.

At Balance My Hormones, we help men and women restore their reproductive hormones through hormone replacement therapy.

Book a free consultation with our professionals to identify the cause of your hormonal issue and find a reliable solution.

Book Free Consultation

References

Aquino, C.I., Stampini, V., Osella, E., Troìa, L., Rocca, C., Guida, M., Faggiano, F., Remorgida, V. and Surico, D., 2024. Menopausal hormone therapy, an ever-present topic: a pilot survey about women’s experience and medical doctors’ approach. Medicina, 60(5), p.774.

Kabir, A., 2022. A synopsis on the kinds and functions of human hormones. Manipal Alumni Science and Health Journal, 7(1), pp.105-120.

Evidence Based Research

This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.

References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.

Our team of healthcare experts and GMC registered doctors are licensed to UK GMC standards. We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. You can read more about our Editorial Process by clicking here.

We value your feedback on our articles, if you have a well-researched paper you would like to share with us please contact us.