Take the hormone MOT test now to rid belly fat and low sex drive

THEY might be mini, but your hormones are seriously mighty. 

These chemical messengers have a huge role in your body’s key functions, from mood and energy to skin, weight and how well you sleep at night. 

We tend to think of pregnancy, menopause or periods when we hear ‘hormones’.

But there are dozens others, including those that affect men.

Dr Kathryn Basford at Asda Online Doctor says: “Women’s sex hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone and small quantities of testosterone, also affect bone density, libido, mood, skin and hair health.”

For both men and women, symptoms like fatigue and weight gain could actually be related to hormones – but we often blame it on diet.

Dr Basford says: “Thyroid hormones, primarily triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), are produced by the thyroid gland in your neck, to regulate metabolism, energy levels, heart rate and body temperature. 

“Finally, adrenal hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These help your body respond to pressure and support your immune system and blood pressure.”

With so much at play, it’s no surprise that even slight hormone imbalances can cause problems. 

Dr Megha Pancholi, Clinical Lead GP at Boots Online Doctor, says: “‘Healthy hormones don’t mean perfectly stable levels all the time, but that the body feels balanced overall.

“This could look like steady energy levels, regular periods, manageable skin changes and/or good, restorative sleep.”

It might be time for a hormone MOT…

BELLY

STUBBORN belly fat might not be your fault after all.

Dr Basford says: “Hormonal imbalances can affect metabolism, so stubborn fat, particularly around the abdomen as well as hips and thighs, unexplained weight gain, or loss, can be a sign of an imbalance.”

This could be related to stress, which is governed by the hormone cortisol.

“Weight gain around the abdomen may be linked to mildly raised cortisol levels,” says Dr Pancholi. 

“More often, people experiencing chronic stress may notice poor sleep, feeling ‘on edge’, sugar cravings or energy dips. 

“All of these can make weight management more challenging too.”

Dr Basford warns of Cushing’s Syndrome, a rare condition that happens when your body has too much cortisol.

“[It] can cause rapid weight gain in your belly, as well as your face, neck and chest,” she warns. 

“Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can cause weight gain as it slows your metabolism.”

MOT: Manage stress by having a regular sleep pattern, meals, and exercise. 

An omega-3 supplement could help, too.

Researchers found that people on a 2.5g dose of omega-3 for four months had 19 per cent lower cortisol levels during a stress test compared to placebo group, who were given nothing.

The research, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, involved 138 overweight, sedentary, middle-aged adults.

Oily fish such as salmon and sardines, as well as flaxseeds and walnuts, are also great sources of omega-3.

The NHS’ online tool can calculate your waist to height ratio to help you understand if you carry too much fat around your tummy.

TRY: Holland & Barrett Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg, 240 Capsules (£28.99, or 12p per capsule).

HAIR

NOTICED more hair on the hairbrush?

Jodie Relf, PCOS Dietician and spokesperson for MyOva, says: “Hair and nails are very responsive to changes in hormones. 

“Hormone receptors are found in both nail beds and hair follicles, and these receptors actively respond to the shifts in hormones.”

Thinning hair and a change in hair texture is common during perimenopause, thanks to a drop in oestrogen.

“Elevated cortisol levels, often associated with chronic stress, can cause hairs to prematurely shed too,” adds Jodie.

Maybe hair is growing in places you don’t want it?

This could be due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition associated with high testosterone, affecting one in 10 women, according to the NHS. 

Jodie says: “Testosterone stimulates hair growth in some areas and suppresses hair growth in other areas. 

“Women [with PCOS] can experience both hair thinning and loss on the scalp alongside hair growth on the face, chest and tummy.”

MOT: If you spot other symptoms of PCOS such as irregular or absent periods, persistent acne (particularly around the jawline), or difficulty losing weight, speak to your GP.

They can organise blood tests to rule out other conditions.

As well as lifestyle changes, treatments for PCOS include medications to lower testosterone and fertility medications. 

NAIL IT

JUST like your hair, brittle, slow growing and peeling nails can be caused by hormonal issues. 

“If these occur outside of life changes such as pregnancy, post-partum or perimenopause, they are more likely to be driven by underlying hormone imbalances associated with conditions such as PCOS or prolonged stress,” says Jodie.

“Shifts in oestrogen and testosterone balance may affect nail keratin structure and blood supply, making nails more fragile.”

A balanced diet with plenty of protein can help, as keratin is the protein that helps make nails. 

Meat, fish, tofu, beans, eggs and dairy foods are all good sources. 

MOT: “Learn to manage stress to help reduce the impact of elevated cortisol levels,” adds Jodie.

If it’s related to the menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may improve the condition of your nails.

Talk to your GP about HRT if menopause symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

SKIN CHECK

WE often blame ‘bad’ skin on our diet, skincare regime or genetics. But it’s a clue to hormonal health, too.

“Some skin changes are completely normal, such as mild breakouts before a period, slightly oilier skin mid-cycle or drier skin during winter months,” says Dr Pancholi. 

But if your spots don’t budge, or strike the jawline, chin and lower cheeks rather than the forehead, it could be PCOS.

Dr Basford says: “The male hormone testosterone causes our sebaceous (oil-producing glands to produce too much oil.

“When this mixes with dead skin cells, it forms plugs in the tiny holes in our skin (follicles), creating blackheads or whiteheads.

“Bacteria on the skin can contaminate and infect the plugged follicles which can lead to red, swollen or pus-filled spots.”

Dry and itchy skin might be more than just eczema.

Dr Pancholi says it may indicate an underactive thyroid.

“Thyroid hormones help regulate skin cell turnover, so low levels can cause the skin to become dry or more prone to irritation,” she says. 

Darkened patches of skin, especially around the neck, armpits or groin, can sometimes be linked to insulin resistance, according to Dr Pancholi.

This is when the body doesn’t respond to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, as effectively as it should, and it’s a risk for type 2 diabetes.

MOT: See a GP for symptoms of PCOS or diabetes.

“Insulin resistance often develops gradually and may not cause obvious symptoms at first, which is why early assessment is important,” says Dr Pancholi. 

Your GP can arrange a blood test to measure thyroid hormone levels, which, if low, can be medicated.

Dr Pancholi says: “This helps restore hormone levels and often improves symptoms such as dry skin, fatigue and sensitivity to cold. 

“Thyroid levels are monitored over time to ensure treatment remains effective.” 

SEX DRIVE 

Sex life taken a nosedive? 

“There isn’t a single ‘normal’ level of sex drive,” says Jodie. “Some women naturally have higher desire, some lower.”

There are some obvious patterns, though.

In women not on hormonal contraception, when ovulation occurs, oestrogen spikes and so does sexual desire.

But in the luteal phase, when progesterone rises, desire often drops. 

“This is a very normal hormonal pattern,” says Jodie.

“What’s more concerning is a sudden, persistent drop that feels distressing or out of character,” says Jodie, who adds that libido is usually a reflection of overall wellbeing, not just hormone levels alone.

Stress and high levels of cortisol can lead to lower sexual arousal. 

A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that when a group of chronically stressed women were asked to watch an erotic film, they had less arousal compared to the group with average stress.

High cortisol can also cause issues for men in the bedroom, as can low testosterone. 

“Low testosterone can be a primary driver of erectile dysfunction, which affects around 30 million men worldwide,” says Dr Basford. 

“It can disrupt nerve signals making it more difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.

“Elevated cortisol acts as an antagonist to testosterone, lowering production and resulting in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction and sometimes fatigue.”

An underactive thyroid can also lead to a low sex drive. 

MOT: See your GP if you’re also experiencing constant tiredness, if you’re always cold, have dry skin and unexplained weight gain – this could be an underactive thyroid.

“Reduce stress through healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercise and therapy, as well as reducing alcohol intake,” suggests Dr Basford. 

“These can all help to lower cortisol and restore libido.

“Treatment options for erectile dysfunction work to increase blood flow to the penis; you should consult your doctor before starting treatment to make sure it is safe for you to do so.”

Dr Basford explains that increasing foreplay and openly communicating your needs to your partner can also help to improve intimacy and relieve any underlying stress in this area. 

“If low libido persists, try speaking to your doctor to check hormone levels or review any medications you are currently taking that could be playing a role.”

ENERGY TRACK

WE all have days where we feel tired. 

But if you can’t find an obvious cause, consider your thyroid.

Dr Basford says: “Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can lead to constant sluggishness as your bodily processes start to ‘slow down’.

“On the other hand, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can make you feel restless, anxious and make it harder to switch off which can interrupt sleep.”

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be caused autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, problems with iodine intake and some medications. 

“They affect around two per cent of the population during their lifetimes,” says Dr Basford. 

“Hyperthyroidism is about ten times more likely in women compared to men.”

That 3pm energy slump could also be down to blood sugar dips.

Dr Pancholi says: “Skipping meals, eating too many refined carbohydrates such as pastries, white bread and sweets, or everyday stress can affect how steadily energy is released throughout the day.”

Cortisol being out of rhythm could make you feel tired but wired at night too

“Cortisol should be higher in the morning to help us wake up and gradually lower in the evening to help us sleep,” says Dr Pancholi. 

“Ongoing high stress levels, caffeine drunk late in the day, irregular sleep routines or too much screen time can disrupt this natural pattern in cortisol levels, making sleep difficult.”

MOT: If you’re worried, see your GP, who may arrange a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels. 

To keep blood sugar (and energy) levels stable, have meals with protein (Greek yoghurt or eggs for breakfast, chicken or fish for lunch) and an unrefined carb such as brown rice or oats.

Add a small amount of healthy fat such as avocado, peanut butter or olive oil.

After midday, go for decaf to help sleep – and remember caffeine can also be found in dark chocolate and fizzy drinks.

“Wind down in the evening without any screens and follow consistent sleep and wake times; this can help with sleep,” says Dr Pancholi.