Beyond causing acne and a sudden interest in dating, are hormones responsible for changes in behavior or emotional response? The answer is yes. The hormones that change around puberty—starting between age 8 and 14—and last until the early 20s when adolescence ends may affect you in more ways than you realize.

The hormone estrogen is responsible for making skin look younger due to the hyaluronic acid it produces. Estrogen not only affects your skin but also your muscle mass, metabolism, and energy levels.

Hormones that most often remain unchanged or only slightly decrease include: Cortisol. Epinephrine. Insulin.

Estrogen levels fall at menopause. This is a natural transition for all women between ages 40 and 55. The decline in estrogen can happen abruptly in younger women whose ovaries are removed, resulting in so-called surgical menopause. Perimenopause is the period of transition before menopause.

Levels peak in a woman’s 20s and decline slowly thereafter. By menopause, level is at half of its peak.

Symptoms can linger for a lifetime. And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of bone loss speeds up, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.

Puberty. Everyone is different, but most females enter puberty between the ages of 8 and 13. And it all happens because of hormones. The luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are produced in the pituitary gland.

Symptoms of high testosterone in women include:

• acne.
• deep voice.
• excess hair on the face and body.
• increased muscle mass.
• irregular periods.
• larger-than-normal clitoris.
• loss of libido.
• mood changes.

A few studies, on the other hand, have shown either no effect of abstinence on testosterone or that testosterone levels were actually higher after masturbation or sex. Measuring testosterone before and directly after masturbation in 34 healthy young men found that testosterone levels increased after self stimulation.

Sex Hormones (Testosterone, Estrogen) Changing levels of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone can affect your social anxiety. Some studies link too little testosterone with increased anxiety, while low levels of the female sex hormones such as estrogen may also be linked to anxiety symptoms.

Low testosterone can cause one or more of the following symptoms in women:

• sluggishness.
• muscle weakness.
• fatigue.
• sleep disturbances.
• reduced sex drive.
• decreased sexual satisfaction.
• weight gain.
• fertility issues.

Levels of testosterone and other androgens can be measured with a blood test. In women, normal testosterone levels range from 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood. Testosterone levels lower than 15 ng/dL may cause: changes in breast tissue.

Side effects of women taking testosterone Balding. Deepening of the voice. Excessive hair growth, particularly on the face. Enlargement of the clitoris, a part of the outside of a woman’s genitals.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone, or androgen, produced in a woman’s ovaries in small amounts. Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman’s reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behaviors.

In women, testosterone is produced in various locations. One quarter of the hormone is produced in the ovary, a quarter is produced in the adrenal gland, and one half is produced in the peripheral tissues from the various precursors produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland.

Symptoms of low testosterone in women Low libido, weight gain, and changes in mood are all common signs of low testosterone levels. Low testosterone over a long period of time may also contribute to more serious issues like heart disease, poor memory, and loss of bone density.

And for many women testosterone levels (which help burn calories and create more lean muscle mass) decline, causing more weight gain. If the woman also has stress issues (higher cortisol) this can add even more weight gain.

Research shows that the hormone testosterone may improve sexual function in specific groups of women, but data on safety and effectiveness are limited. The long-term safety of testosterone therapy for women also is unknown.

Signs or symptoms of a hormonal imbalance

1. weight gain.
2. a hump of fat between the shoulders.
3. unexplained, and sometimes sudden, weight loss.
4. fatigue.
5. muscle weakness.
6. muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness.
7. pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints.
8. increased or decreased heart rate.

To balance estrogen levels naturally and prevent the weight gain that happens with an estrogen imbalance, you’ll want to do the following:

1. Commit to a regular exercise routine.
2. Eat your fiber.
3. Eat veggies in the cruciferous family.
4. Reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors.

Irregular menstrual cycles, pelvic pain and uterine fibroids are just a few of the symptoms that can occur when the balance of these two hormones is off. Statistics show that 80 percent of women suffer from hormonal imbalance.

The first changes you will probably notice are that your skin will become a bit drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production. You may become more prone to bruising or cuts and in the first few weeks you’ll notice that the odors of your sweat and urine will change.

III. Estrogens and Progestins

Herbal supplements

• Black cohosh. Black cohosh is a traditional Native American herb that has historically been used to treat a variety of conditions, including menopause and menstrual issues.
• Chasteberry.
• Evening primrose oil.
• Red clover.
• Dong quai.

The most widely cited natural remedy is soy, which is very high in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Other sources are red clover and flaxseed, both of which are available as supplements.