How Does Your Environment Impact Your Hormones?
Let’s talk about your hormones—what they are, the ones I want you to know about, and why your environment has such a huge impact on what’s happening inside your body.
Understanding Hormones: More Than Just a Blood Test
Hormones are communication systems—they send messages between organs and tissues. They vary depending on your body, lifestyle, and environment, so just running a blood panel doesn’t always provide the full picture.
Think of hormones like a messaging system: if something interferes with the messages, your system can’t work properly.
The Brain: Your Air Traffic Control
The brain is your control center, like an air traffic control tower.
Receives messages from your body
Sends instructions to organs (like your ovaries)
If the brain isn’t working properly, communication breaks down
Example: Hypothalamic amenorrhea, where the hypothalamus doesn’t send the right signals to the pituitary gland, disrupting your hormonal cycle.
The Ovaries: Your Plane
Your ovaries are the plane, following instructions from the brain:
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): Signals a follicle to grow
Estrogen: Produced by the follicle, communicates back to the brain
LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Triggers ovulation when the egg is mature
Clear communication is key—like the plane getting proper takeoff instructions.
The Uterus: The Runway
Even if the plane (ovaries) is ready, it can’t land without a healthy runway:
Scar tissue or uterine abnormalities can interfere with implantation
Your menstrual cycle is a visible sign of a healthy runway
Irregular cycles, spotting, or painful periods are clues something may be off
The Environment: Your Weather
Your body’s environment—the “weather”—can impact hormone function:
Chronic inflammation from autoimmune disease, endometriosis, or smoking can disrupt the system
Even after the “storm” passes, lingering effects may remain
You have some control over your environment, which can help optimize hormone function
Signs of Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can appear in many ways:
Fatigue and brain fog
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness or hyperactivity
Headaches and lightheadedness
Mood swings, irritability, poor sleep
Cravings, binge eating, or lack of appetite
Weight gain or loss
Joint or muscle pain, stiffness, or swelling
Digestive issues: bloating, constipation, diarrhea
Hot flashes, temperature intolerance, rapid heartbeat
Menstrual irregularities or infertility
If you notice several of these symptoms, it may be a sign that inflammation is interfering with your hormonal system.
Why This Matters for Fertility
Hormone imbalances and fertility challenges aren’t always caused by the hormones themselves—they can stem from issues that disrupt communication:
Inflammation can alter hormone signaling
Irregular cycles can indicate environmental or systemic factors
Addressing inflammation can improve reproductive outcomes
Take Control of Your Body’s Environment
You can influence your internal “weather” to help your hormones function optimally. Track your symptoms, advocate for yourself, and address factors like inflammation, diet, and lifestyle.
