It feels like we often think of hormones as something only teenagers or pregnant women have to deal with- but in reality, hormones impact everyone, every. single. day. From the way we manage stress, to our sex drive, sleep quality, emotional regulation, energy levels, and even how connected we feel in our relationships, hormonal balance is like an invisible puppet master running the show called 'life'.

With all of that in mind, I want to highlight key hormones that affect 

 men & women, how imbalances show up, and what that might look like in our day-to-day lives.

Testosterone: It’s Not Just a “Male” Hormone

Testosterone gets all the attention when it comes to men’s health, but women also produce testosterone (just in much smaller amounts), and imbalances can create major ripple effects for either or.

• Infertility (yes, too much can disrupt sperm production)

While we often associate high testosterone with virility, it can easily tip into imbalance, causing emotional volatility, restlessness, or even a disconnection from positive emotions.

 (tied to conditions like PCOS) can show up as:

 — which is rarely talked about — can have its own impact:

• Mood changes, feeling flat or depressed

Balanced testosterone levels help with energy, confidence, sex drive, and overall vitality — regardless of gender. It’s not about having more, it’s about having what’s right for your body.

Cortisol is your body’s built-in alarm system. It’s designed to protect you in times of stress, but modern life keeps it going off way too often.

High cortisol levels over time can lead to:

(it can and will mess with everything else too)

The body doesn’t differentiate between 'real' danger and typical everyday stress (

aka: unread emails, social media comparison spirals, chronic people-pleasing, etc.

). High cortisol messes with our ability to feel safe, which is a direct line to how we show up in our relationships, intimacy, and emotional resilience.

Progesterone: The Calming, Grounding Hormone

Progesterone is essentially the unsung hero of the hormonal world— specifically for women. It balances estrogen, supports sleep, and brings a sense of peace & calm.

• Anxiety or mood swings (especially before menstruation)

 (less common, but possible) might show up as:

• Feeling “off” but not knowing why (often misattributed to PMS or stress)

While progesterone is typically tied to the female reproductive system, men also produce small amounts. For men, it helps balance estrogen and supports mood, brain health, and libido. Low levels in men can contribute to irritability, anxiety, and poor sleep quality — but it’s less commonly tested or treated.

Estrogen: Essential for More Than Just Periods

Estrogen plays a powerful role in women's bodies, and of course, men have it too. It's essential for heart health, mood regulation, cognitive function, and more.

• PMS symptoms like irritability or bloating

 estrogen (especially during perimenopause or intense stress) in 

• Gynecomastia (breast tissue development)

• Weight gain, especially in the midsection

Bottom Line: Hormones Aren’t the Enemy, They’re Messengers

Although sometimes it feels like it, hormones aren’t here to punish us. They’re responding to what we consume: our environments, thoughts, nourishment, sleep, stress, and our relationships. If you're feeling off emotionally, physically, and/or sexually, there’s a good chance your hormones are out of balance. Utilizing an endocrinologist or just tuning into your body’s cues (and working with a functional medicine or integrative practitioner) can help bring things back into balance. If you decide to get your hormone levels tested, make sure to ask for Thyroid, Sex, Adrenal, and Pituitary hormones to be included.

The more we understand the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, ways our hormones affect us, the quicker we can find a resolution!

Our Inner Chemistry Shapes Our Outer World

Hormones & Humans :)