Hormones play a crucial role in our bodies. They regulate numerous processes, from mood and energy to sleep and metabolism. Unfortunately, there are many factors in our daily lives that can disrupt our hormonal balance. Here I share my personal experience of more than 20 years in which, often unconsciously, I have disrupted my hormones by maintaining certain habits and a certain lifestyle. Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and improve your health.
Use of contraceptives with synthetic hormones
One of the most significant ways I have affected my hormones is through the long-term use of synthetic hormones. I started taking the contraceptive pill at a young age. While this was a convenient method to prevent unwanted pregnancies, I later realized that the constant intake of synthetic hormones was disrupting my natural hormonal balance.
After a few years, I switched to a hormonal IUD, thinking it would be a healthier option. However, this form of contraception also contained synthetic hormones that affected my body. These hormones can interfere with the natural production and regulation of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to a range of health problems, including mood swings, weight gain, and decreased libido.
Instead, I would now opt for a cycle tracker. So you know when you are fertile and when you are not. This has a reliability of 99%, making it a better option than contraception with synthetic hormones. Of course, you have to be careful with it and use extra protection on fertile days.
Drinking unfiltered tap water from plastic bottles
Another habit that has disrupted my hormonal balance is drinking unfiltered tap water from plastic bottles. Tap water can contain contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors. When you drink this water from plastic bottles, you also run the risk of exposure to chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol A), a known endocrine disruptor.
BPA and other endocrine disruptors can affect the endocrine system and interfere with natural hormone production and function. This can lead to numerous health problems, including fertility problems, metabolic disorders, and hormonal imbalance.
That’s why I now use a water filter for the tap water and only drink water from a glass drinking bottle.
Using skin care products full of harmful chemicals
Another way I’ve disrupted my hormones is through the use of skincare products that contain harmful chemicals. Many cosmetics and skincare products contain ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and triclosan, all of which are known for their endocrine-disrupting properties.
These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and affect the hormonal system. For example, they can mimic the action of estrogen or interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. This can lead to a wide range of health problems, from skin irritations to severe hormonal imbalance.
I now prefer to use natural skin care products as much as possible and in any case without the aforementioned harmful ingredients.
Too much stress
Stress is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, for years I was completely unaware of A. the amount of stress I was experiencing and B. what the influence of this was on my body. Chronic stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress.
Long-term elevated cortisol levels can interfere with the production of other hormones, such as thyroid hormones and sex hormones. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and even depression. In addition, stress can disrupt sleep, which further exacerbates the problem.
Ways to lower your cortisol include:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Reduce your caffeine consumption
- Choose moderate exercise instead of High Intensity Training
- Less alcohol and sugar
- Foods rich in omega-3
- Get enough sleep
- Yoga
- Breathing exercises
- Consciously take time to relax
- Social activities
Too little sleep
Another important aspect of my life that has affected my hormones is periods of lack of sleep (thanks in part to my two children 😉 But to be honest, a long time before that, I didn’t know how important getting enough sleep actually is. Sleep is essential for the regeneration of the body and the production of various hormones, such as growth hormone and melatonin.
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a disruption of your circadian rhythm and the production of hormones involved in sleep, mood, and metabolism. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, weight gain, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
By now I know how important sleep is for my overall well-being and so I (almost) always make sure that I am in bed on time. This also gives me time to switch off for a while, to reflect on what I am grateful for, to lie on my pranamat for about 20 minutes and to read a bit. A perfect recipe for a good night’s sleep.
Too little attention to nutrition and supplements
I always thought I had been reasonably healthy, but in the end I still ate a lot of processed food. I also assumed that I was getting enough vitamins and minerals and never really took extra supplements. An unhealthy diet can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients needed for hormone production and regulation. For example, a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D can all contribute to hormonal imbalance.
It is crucial to follow a nutrient-rich diet and use supplements as needed to support hormonal health. Do you want to know which supplements you need? Then take the test here:
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Conclusion
Obviously, your lifestyle and daily habits can have a huge impact on your hormonal health. The long-term use of synthetic hormones, drinking unfiltered tap water, using skincare products full of harmful chemicals, too much stress, too little sleep, and a lack of attention to nutrition and supplements are all factors that have disrupted my hormones.
The good news is that we can control and improve many of these factors. By making conscious choices and adopting healthy habits, we can restore our hormonal balance and improve our overall health. For example, consider using natural contraceptive methods, drinking filtered water from glass or stainless steel, choosing natural skin care products, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables.
I hope my story inspires you to take a closer look at your own lifestyle and make the necessary changes to improve your hormonal health. It’s never too late to make healthier choices and give your body what it needs to function optimally.
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