#understanding hormonal changes

[billa-billa007]

Exploring the After Effects of Testosterone | Understanding Hormonal Changes | Woke Up

Hormonal changes refer to fluctuations or shifts in the levels of various hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers that play crucial roles in regulating numerous physiological processes and maintaining overall health. Understanding hormonal changes is essential because they can have significant effects on various aspects of an individual's well-being.

[thejournallo]

Life hack: belance in yourself

Hormones are powerful chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system. They travel through the bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mood. Hormones play a significant role in maintaining balance in the body, known as homeostasis, and any imbalance can affect your mental and physical well-being.

How Hormones Work

Production: Hormones are secreted by glands like the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and ovaries/testes.

Transport: Once produced, hormones travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs.

Receptors: Hormones bind to specific receptors on cells, triggering a response. This can involve altering cell activity, gene expression, or initiating a cascade of processes.

Feedback Mechanism: The body monitors hormone levels using feedback loops. For example, if a hormone level is too high or low, the body adjusts production to maintain balance.

Key Hormones and Their Functions

Cortisol: Stress hormone; regulates metabolism, immune response, and energy.

Serotonin and Dopamine: Mood and happiness regulators; linked to emotional well-being.

Insulin: Manages blood sugar levels.

Estrogen and Testosterone: Sexual health, energy, and bone strength.

Thyroid Hormones: Control metabolism and energy levels.

Melatonin: Regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Prepares the body for fight or flight.

How to Support Hormonal Health

To feel better mentally and physically, it’s essential to maintain hormonal balance. Here are strategies to care for your hormones:

1. Nutrition

Balanced Diet: Eat whole, unprocessed foods rich in nutrients.

Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and omega-3s (from fish) support hormone production.

Complex Carbs: Whole grains and vegetables regulate insulin levels.

Protein: Essential for hormone production; include lean meats, beans, and tofu.

Avoid Excess Sugar and Refined Carbs: These can cause insulin spikes and crashes.

Hydration: Proper hydration supports cellular communication and detoxification.

2. Sleep

7-9 Hours of Quality Sleep: Hormone regulation (like melatonin and growth hormone) occurs during deep sleep.

Consistency: Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.

Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Blue light can suppress melatonin.

3. Stress Management

Mindfulness Practices: Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing reduce cortisol levels.

Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and balancing stress hormones.

Journaling or Therapy: Helps process emotions, reducing chronic stress.

4. Exercise

Moderation: Both too much and too little exercise can disrupt hormones. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.

Strength Training: Boosts testosterone and growth hormone.

Cardio: Supports circulation and reduces stress.

5. Avoid Endocrine Disruptors

Limit Toxins: Avoid products with BPA, phthalates, and parabens (found in plastics and cosmetics).

Clean Water: Use filtered water to avoid contaminants.

Organic Foods: Reduce pesticide exposure, which can disrupt hormones.

6. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess body fat can increase estrogen levels, while too little fat can disrupt reproductive hormones.

7. Regular Medical Check-Ups

Hormone Testing: Regular blood tests can identify imbalances early.

Thyroid and Reproductive Health: Monitor specific hormones like TSH, estrogen, and testosterone as needed.

8. Natural Supplements (Consult a Professional First)

Vitamin D: Supports mood and immune function.

Magnesium: Regulates stress and supports sleep.

Adaptogens: Herbs like ashwagandha and maca root can balance stress hormones.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation and support brain health.

Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

If you're experiencing persistent symptoms, consider consulting a healthcare provider:

Fatigue

Mood swings or anxiety

Unexplained weight changes

Irregular periods

Sleep disturbances

Low libido

Conclusion

Hormonal health is essential for overall well-being. By prioritizing proper nutrition, stress management, exercise, and regular medical care, you can support your endocrine system and feel better both mentally and physically.

[cielosuerte]

tbh i dont think my dysphoria's ever been as intense as it has being on hrt mostly bc now it feels like "i dont look like a guy" has the scary component of "the hrt isnt doing anything" now. like before it was like well duh im not on t. but now i am and nothing's ever happened. i've been misgendered more on hrt than when i wasn't on it. it's really frustrating because i think my brain looks for the logical why and it goes well. i'm too curvy to look like a guy no matter what i do. which is a great way to feel. is this like complete defeatism almost of i'm always going to look like this & i probably can't get top surgery because i'm too big for it to do anything. like man i'm never gonna look like a guy huh. well that sucks lmao

[creekfiend]

a friend of mine started on a low dose of topical gel (for gender reasons) and found that the changes went really slow for them. i think after a few months they increased the dose. generally i think it takes 3 months on a regular dose, so if you're on a lower dose maybe around 6 months to see changes?

I'm not bothered about gender stuff either way, is the thing. I disliked my first puberty enough to want a low dose as possible depending on the impact it has on my chronic illness. for me it is a long term thing that will hopefully raise my blood pressure and volume, reduce migraines, reduce fibro symptoms and POTS symptoms, help me build a bit more muscle to support my joints, etc. so we'll see how low it can be and still do those things, lol

[bisexualgenderfemme]

always makes me sad when ppl outright decide to never try hrt (even tho they want to & even tho they could abstractly & even tho they're definitely dysphoric now) bc it 'wont do much'

you don't know that!! you don't! it could do everything! & also? you HATE yourself now! isn't /anything/ better than nothing? I'm not saying it's not hard, or that there's not obstacles, or that it'll be a huge wild drastic change leaving u unrecognizable. I'm just saying: you do not know what hrt can do for you until you try it.

[cliveguy]

trans person who lives somewhere where you can get a hrt prescription in under a month through a walk-in clinic: the biggest issue facing trans people today is this take i saw from a 20 y/o on twitter

[sabrirene]

i fear the 'surely someone's gonna save me' in sunshine baby has an incredible chokehold on me

[simplyzeeka]

hiiiii! i am being very nosy to everyone who i’ve read a story from because of a character game floating around tumblr. anyway! i wanted to ask about your most recent story — it was so raw and thoughtfully done.

could you share more about why you decided to tackle such a topic??

Heyy, thank you for this ask.

Honestly, I can't tell you what came over me when writing Get it Together.

I woke up feeling inspired to write something that morning, but I was stuck on what to write.

At first, that story was primarily about a married couple tackling the changes of a newborn baby into their household. I hadn't intended for it to be specifically about PPD. In fact, the story was going to be a fluffy one.

And then I remembered that not all women do well after birth.

A moment of truth here, my mom did suffer from PPD for a bit. I was born after her stillborn baby, so I believe that contributed to her PPD.

So this story hit a little closer to home. Because till this day, I still think my mom feels guilty for her PPD. She may not ever read this (God forbid she finds out about tumblr💀), but I do let her now every day that I understand. It's natural. She was never the problem, and she got better, for me and for herself. And right now, she's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I wrote this story for all the mothers out there who suffer, and have suffered from PPD.

I see you, I hear you, and I understand you. Keep your head high, and know that it will pass.

You went through something traumatic on your body and your mental. Coming back from that isn't always going to be easy.

All that matters is that you get better for you and your baby.

Thank you so much for this question. ❤️❤️

[staticymaticyyourlifeisatravesty]

Finally made Lilith's mother, Amara Whitestrike. Yes she is blind, though she can see just not in the traditional sense. Sees souls more so then she does any sort of physical form. She met Sanguinius when he was moulting and rolling in the sand on Baal Secundus, where she had to try and stop herself from laughing at the sight of him. Gotta draw her eventually, this is just a mock up so I know what she generally looks like without falling into same face syndrome. Also she wears earrings made from Sanguinius' fallen feathers that he made for her :3

Thought it'd be cute since I have these two as having a very silly and cute relationship; it helps that she understands him and is pretty much the main thing that is convincing him he's not actually a demon. She tells him his soul would be far more twisted then it is. He doesn't ask how she knows this, but knows it's probably due to how she 'sees' the world. Apparently it's quite colourful, was able to see the Emperor despite his illusion when he came to Baal due to said sight. Of course by this time Lilith was also born, due to the fact she and Sanguinius knew each other long before the Emperor came along. Has very good hearing and a very good sense of smell. It was well known that she could hear a raven guard trying to silently pass her by. Apparently Astartes also have a very strong smell to them-

[tvok]

I think every character in vrains is trans in totally different ways and they absolutely do not get along about it

[wild-at-mind]

Being in a long distance relationship long term is so fucked up. For context for people in bigger countries I'm not talking flying distance from each other, I'm talking about 3 hrs apart on the train, so not that far arguably. But still far enough that our lives are almost completely separate in the practical sense, no matter how much we talk on the phone or meet halfway. When one of us stays over at the other's place we are still guests in each other's homes. I still don't know what cohabiting would be like and what a comfortable normalicy of being in each other's lives in person every day would be like. We're coming up to our 11th anniversary. I don't want to break up with him!!!! I love him deeply and I've never met someone I'm as compatible with as him. I've never been in love like this and I'm not easy to know, and yet he does know me and likes what he sees. I just feel I am stuck and I am frustrated that my sex life is like once every 3 months. I still don't even know how often we would have sex if we lived together, we haven't had the chance to find that rhythm. When we see each other there's no time to do any more involved stuff it's just getting off. Basically everytthing we've talked about has to stay in the realm of fantasy because there's never any fucking time.

I am trying I said to him- you need to do covering letters and things, you can't just send your CV that has never worked. He's the one who wants out of his current job, and out of his town, but applying for jobs is so fucking hard when you're working full time and trying to do things you love to not get fucking depressed. See I understand those things because I would feel the same way. If he moved here we could find a place together and I could find it out if I actually can live with someone else and stay mentally well. I'm getting too dependent on living alone in order to stay mentally well and it worries me.

Sorry to vent. I'm not looking for advice it's just venting.

[whatbigotspost]

Two years after being tasked with commissioning a review of medical evidence surrounding gender-affirming care for trans youth, Utah’s own state health department has concluded that trans healthcare bans “cannot be justified.” The Republicans who commissioned the study aren’t too happy about it.

Back in 2023, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill that placed an indefinite “moratorium” on doctors prescribing gender-affirming care like hormone therapy and puberty blockers to trans youth. That bill ordered the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to compile their report in order to produce recommendations for the state government on whether or not to lift the moratorium.

This week, the department delivered their long-awaited, over 1,000-page report — which is dated August 6, 2024 — to Utah lawmakers. The report’s authors found that “the consensus of the evidence supports that the treatments are effective in terms of mental health, psychosocial outcomes, and the induction of body changes consistent with the affirmed gender in pediatric GD [gender dysphoria] patients.”

The authors added that “the evidence also supports that the treatments are safe in terms of changes to bone density, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic changes, and cancer.” Trans youth who had received gender-affirming care were within the bounds of normal, non-pathological ranges for these conditions.

y’all this is huge. please don’t “water is wet” all over it! I understand that we all already know this… The point is that the world doesn’t know or care or believe and so these studies really fucking matter!

[bio-mecha-dragon]

🖤🩶🤍💜

[crybabybat]

I will never understand how cis people widely continue to see HRT as a huge decision that needs years of consideration and should only be used as a last resort for minors if they’re on the edge of suicide, and other things of this nature.

Like your body already has those hormones. It’s already doing that. It’s okay. They’re just hormones, you can play around and see what you like, what feels right. It’s literally fine. Changes to our bodies and voices and genitals and things are already an inherent part of being human.

It’s the weight that’s put on the decision to go on HRT that manufactures the major concerns of regret. If you decide it’s not for you and you’re upset because your body has been altered in a way that doesn’t feel good to you, that’s the same as getting a tattoo you don’t love, or breaking a bone, or being injured in some other way, or aging, or even getting a bad haircut. It is not automatically more horrific because it has to do with the perceived presentation of your gender. Hope this helps 👍🏼

[inkskinned]

i have chronic pain. i am neurodivergent. i understand - deeply - the allure of a "quick fix" like AI. i also just grew up in a different time. we have been warned about this.

15 entire years ago i heard about this. in my forensics class in high school, we watched a documentary about how AI-based "crime solving" software was inevitably biased against people of color.

my teacher stressed that AI is like a book: when someone writes it, some part of the author will remain within the result. the internet existed but not as loudly at that point - we didn't know that AI would be able to teach itself off already-biased Reddit threads. i googled it: yes, this bias is still happening. yes, it's just as bad if not worse.

i can't actually stop you. if you wanna use ChatGPT to slide through your classes, that's on you. it's your money and it's your time. you will spend none of it thinking, you will learn nothing, and, in college, you will piss away hundreds of thousands of dollars. you will stand at the podium having done nothing, accomplished nothing. a cold and bitter pyrrhic victory.

i'm not even sure students actually read the essays or summaries or emails they have ChatGPT pump out. i think it just flows over them and they use the first answer they get. my brother teaches engineering - he recently got fifty-three copies of almost-the-exact-same lab reports. no one had even changed the wording.

and yes: AI itself (as a concept and practice) isn't always evil. there's AI that can help detect cancer, for example. and yet: when i ask my students if they'd be okay with a doctor that learned from AI, many of them balk. it is one thing if they don't read their engineering textbook or if they don't write the critical-thinking essay. it's another when it starts to affect them. they know it's wrong for AI to broad-spectrum deny insurance claims, but they swear their use of AI is different.

there's a strange desire to sort of divorce real-world AI malpractice over "personal use". for example, is it moral to use AI to write your cover letters? cover letters are essentially only templates, and besides: AI is going to be reading your job app, so isn't it kind of fair?

i recently found out that people use AI as a romantic or sexual partner. it seems like teenagers particularly enjoy this connection, and this is one of those "sticky" moments as a teacher. honestly - you can roast me for this - but if it was an actually-safe AI, i think teenagers exploring their sexuality with a fake partner is amazing. it prevents them from making permanent mistakes, it can teach them about their bodies and their desires, and it can help their confidence. but the problem is that it's not safe. there isn't a well-educated, sensitive AI specifically to help teens explore their hormones. it's just internet-fed cycle. who knows what they're learning. who knows what misinformation they're getting.

the most common pushback i get involves therapy. none of us have access to the therapist of our dreams - it's expensive, elusive, and involves an annoying amount of insurance claims. someone once asked me: are you going to be mad when AI saves someone's life?

therapists are not just trained on the book, they're trained on patient management and helping you see things you don't see yourself. part of it will involve discomfort. i don't know that AI is ever going to be able to analyze the words you feed it and answer with a mind towards the "whole person" writing those words. but also - if it keeps/kept you alive, i'm not a purist. i've done terrible things to myself when i was at rock bottom. in an emergency, we kind of forgive the seatbelt for leaving bruises. it's just that chat shouldn't be your only form of self-care and recovery.

and i worry that the influence chat has is expanding. more and more i see people use chat for the smallest, most easily-navigated situations. and i can't like, make you worry about that in your own life. i often think about how easy it was for social media to take over all my time - how i can't have a tiktok because i spend hours on it. i don't want that to happen with chat. i want to enjoy thinking. i want to enjoy writing. i want to be here. i've already really been struggling to put the phone down. this feels like another way to get you to pick the phone up.

the other day, i was frustrated by a book i was reading. it's far in the series and is about a character i resent. i googled if i had to read it, or if it was one of those "in between" books that don't actually affect the plot (you know, one of those ".5" books). someone said something that really stuck with me - theoretically you're reading this series for enjoyment, so while you don't actually have to read it, one would assume you want to read it.

i am watching a generation of people learn they don't have to read the thing in their hand. and it is kind of a strange sort of doom that comes over me: i read because it's genuinely fun. i learn because even though it's hard, it feels good. i try because it makes me happy to try. and i'm watching a generation of people all lay down and say: but i don't want to try.