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International Women's Day 2025: Women’s health is gaining well-deserved attention, with increasing awareness of the crucial role hormones play in overall well-being. However, over 52% of women are at risk of lifestyle-related disorders, making hormonal health a key concern. These chemical messengers regulate mood, metabolism, energy levels, and reproductive health. When in balance, hormones enable women to lead a healthy and active life.

However, hormonal disruptions can affect daily functioning and long-term health. Fortunately, with timely interventions, regular check-ups, and lifestyle adjustments, women can achieve and maintain hormonal harmony for a healthier future. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist at Redcliffe Labs, emphasised the importance of balancing hormones and understanding their impact on women’s lives.

The Role Of Hormones In Women’s Health

  1. Hormones regulate numerous bodily functions, ensuring that digestion, sleep, and reproduction work efficiently. From puberty, typically starting around age 12, hormones shape a woman’s development and continue to influence health across different life stages, including pregnancy and menopause.
  2. Regular hormonal screenings can help detect imbalances early, allowing for proactive management before they escalate into serious health concerns. With rising cases of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among women, maintaining hormonal balance is essential for preventing chronic conditions.

The Importance Of Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

  1. Hormonal fluctuations are natural, but persistent imbalances can contribute to various health issues. Several factors affect hormonal health, including stress, diet, sleep, and environmental toxins. Aging also brings natural shifts in hormone production, particularly during menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels decline.
  2. Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affect 8-13% of reproductive-aged women, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of heart disease. Recognizing signs of imbalance—such as fatigue, mood swings, unexplained weight changes, or skin issues—enables women to seek appropriate medical advice.

Restoring And Maintaining Hormonal Balance Naturally

  1. A proactive approach to hormonal health can significantly improve overall well-being. Nutrition plays a vital role in hormone regulation, with whole foods, healthy fats, and fiber-rich meals helping to stabilize blood sugar and support endocrine function. Protein is essential for hormone synthesis, while reducing processed foods helps prevent unnecessary disruptions.
  2. Exercise also plays a crucial role in maintaining hormonal balance. Activities like aerobic workouts, strength training, and yoga help improve balance and reduce stress hormones.
  3. Additionally, quality sleep is fundamental for hormonal regulation, as it allows the body to repair and restore equilibrium. Managing stress through mindfulness techniques, meditation, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises helps prevent cortisol levels from interfering with other hormones.

The Importance Of Regular Hormonal Check-Ups

  1. While lifestyle changes are beneficial, regular health check-ups and hormonal testing are equally important. Many imbalances can be detected early through simple blood tests that measure levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, and thyroid hormones.
  2. These tests are recommended from adolescence onward, as hormonal health affects everything from menstrual regularity to bone density and mental well-being. Early diagnosis can help manage conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, and menopause-related hormonal shifts effectively. Given the rising burden of lifestyle diseases among women, timely hormonal screenings serve as an essential preventive tool.

The Impact Of Balanced Hormones On Life Quality

  1. When hormones are in sync, women experience improved energy, better mental clarity, and stable moods. Conditions like PCOS, which affect millions of women, can be managed effectively with a combination of medical support and lifestyle adjustments. Similarly, as women approach menopause, maintaining a balanced diet and active lifestyle can help ease the transition and reduce symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue.
  2. Stable hormones also contribute to healthier skin, better weight management, and stronger bones, ensuring vitality well into later years.

Finally, Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth emphasised that by prioritizing hormonal health, women can take charge of their well-being with confidence. Awareness, early testing, and proactive lifestyle changes create the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life. With medical advancements and growing knowledge about how diet, exercise, and stress management impact hormones, there has never been a better time to adopt a holistic approach to health. By listening to their bodies and seeking timely medical advice, women can ensure that their hormones work in harmony, empowering them to live healthier and happier lives.

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