Which hormones can steal your energy and motivation?
Many people don’t realize that hormones can affect your energy levels and motivation. Discover which hormones can have an impact on your get up and go.
May hormones have a bigger impact on us than we realise. For example, estrogen is the hormone responsible for making women feel more energetic. This means that when a woman has her period, she might have difficulty getting going in the morning because her body’s energy levels are low.
In this article we look at how hormones work to influence our moods and daily activities.
How estrogen affects your energy levels
When estrogen levels in your bloodstream are low, you might feel tired and want to sleep more than usual. This occurs because estrogen helps regulate the thyroid hormone, affecting how your body uses energy. Therefore, your energy levels and mood can be influenced by estrogen.
Estrogen also plays a role in helping women build muscle strength and handle stress. This type of estrogen is linked to healthy bone density, healthy blood cholesterol levels, and sex drive.
Stress can reduce a woman’s estrogen levels. An example is seen in women who comfort eat or binge eat when they feel stressed; these extra calories might lead to weight gain and reduced estrogen. The same goes for other types of stress such as illness or lack of sleep, these can all lower your estrogen levels.
When estrogen levels drop, we crave sweet and fatty foods (comfort eating). This is because our body tries to compensate for reduced estrogen by increasing appetite. Our body knows that we need more calories to maintain our energy levels. Try to substitute them with some natural products which can help you to calm and boost your mood.
How testosterone affects your energy levels
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, and it’s also found in women (to a lesser extent). Testosterone levels start to decline when women enter menopause.
Testosterone affects your energy levels ,and when they are balanced you’re less likely to be fatigued. This happens because testosterone helps build muscle tone and boosts your energy levels. You may feel like you have no energy at all because low testosterone can make you feel tired even when performing daily routine tasks.
Also, testosterone usually enhances your libido, making you want to be more physically and sexually active and be more energetic.
High testosterone levels might cause anxiety or restlessness if you aren’t getting enough sleep. This is because testosterone helps regulate your energy levels by increasing focus and attention to detail. We can’t think clearly if we’re tired and drained of energy.
When testosterone levels are too low, you might feel depressed, too. That’s because testosterone helps regulate serotonin, a mood-boosting chemical produced by the brain.
How thyroid affects your energy levels
Thyroid hormones affect your energy levels and metabolism, especially the thyroid hormone ‘triiodothyronine’ (T3). Your T3 level is often measured along with the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to see if your thyroid gland is producing enough of it. When you have too little thyroid hormone, you can develop certain medical conditions, including weight gain because of slowed metabolism.
People with hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) will feel tired and sluggish because their thyroid gland isn’t producing enough of this hormone. Their metabolism is also very slow, making them want to eat more carbohydrates, like bread or pasta. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, your doctor might prescribe you synthetic T3 or desiccated thyroid supplements.
How progesterone affects your energy levels
Progesterone makes us feel more energetic, especially during the second half of the oestrus cycle. This is because progesterone counters some of the negative effects of estrogen, such as weight gain and sluggishness. For this reason, it’s very important to have a healthy balance between progesterone and estrogen in your body.
When levels of progesterone are too high, you may experience fatigue. This can be resolved by using birth control pills to balance out your hormone levels.
During menopause, the levels of progesterone drop drastically. This can lead to medical conditions such as osteoporosis – a thinning of bones that makes them more fragile and likely to break easily. Osteoporosis is caused by low levels of estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream.
Other factors that can affect your energy level:
- Nutrient deficiencies. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide.
- Poor diet. This plays a huge role in your energy levels – eating lots of refined sugars (such as candy), or processed foods (burgers and fries) can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can make you feel hungry or sleepy.
- Stress. Stress causes physical changes in the body – such as cortisol production.
- Sleep problems
- Medical conditions (diabetes, etc)
Get medical help
If you feel that any of these symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor and ask for tests and lab results.
Your doctor should be able to diagnose the problem and find the best solution for you based on your lifestyle and medical history. Rare diseases can cause a lack of motivation and energy, which means that not all cases can be diagnosed with simple blood tests.
A few quick and easy tips that can help you with motivation:
- Stay focused
- Meditate
- Don’t drink too much
- Start a healthy diet and regular exercises
