Hormones are special chemical messengers in our body. They are made by the endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream to all organs and tissues telling them what to do. Our environment and lifestyle has a huge effect on our hormonal balance.
“Endocrine disruptors alter the normal functioning of hormones by mimicking the action of hormones. In doing so, they can affect your reproductive, immune and neurological systems,” said Dr Sneha Sathe, fertility consultant at Nova IVF Fertility clinic in Mumbai.
“Xenoestrogens, in particular, are a type of endocrine disruptors that mimic oestrogen. Since these xenoestrogens are not biodegradable, they are stored in the fat cells of your body. They have been associated with several conditions including breast, prostate and testicular cancer, early onset puberty, obesity, infertility, miscarriages and diabetes,” she added.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Several factors like genetics, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and pollution play a role in the development of PCOS. Lifestyle changes form the mainstay of management in these women and often they need to seek help from a fertility specialist for conceiving.
Too much stress, lack of sleep, irregular working hours can cause hormonal imbalance. Our body is accustomed to a biological clock and needs proper rest and care.
Certain lifestyle changes like eating a healthy balanced diet, choosing locally grown organic foods, avoiding consumption of fast food and packaged food, reducing the use of plastic where possible, avoiding creams and cosmetics that have chemicals can help in restoring hormone balance. Also, adequate and regular exercise, healthy and timely sleep habits, stress management plans an important role.
Read more here: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/health-lifestyle/rebooting-your-hormones/articleshow/65157313.cms