The Other Hormones: What Thyroid Hormone, Prolactin, and Cortisol Mean for Women’s Health

When we talk about women’s health, most of us immediately think of the big-name sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Maybe even testosterone gets a little spotlight. But the body runs on many more chemical messengers than the usual trio, and they all have a say in how you feel day to day. Hormones travel throughout the body influencing everything from metabolism to mood, so let’s take a closer look at a few:

1. Thyroid hormone This hormone is made and released by the thyroid gland, and it plays an important role in keeping the body in balance, including temperature regulation and metabolism. When thyroid hormones run high, like in Grave’s disease, people often notice weight loss, heat intolerance, fatigue, anxiety, and absent or irregular periods. When levels dip too low, the pendulum swings the other way: weight gain, cold intolerance, brain fog, and heavy menstrual cycles. These shifts can be picked up through lab testing, including TSH, T3, and T4.
   
2. Prolactin. Prolactin is a chemical released to help mothers produce milk by acting on the mammary glands. During pregnancy, it works with oxytocin to get milk production and milk released respectively. Sometimes,  prolactin rises when it shouldn’t, leading to hyperprolactinemia. That can show up as unexpected milk production especially in the absence of pregnancy, irregular or absent periods, low libido, or infertility.
   
3. Cortisol. Cortisol is often labeled the “stress hormone” as it rises in the presence of stress. But even on a normal day it helps regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation. When cortisol stays too high for too long, such as in Cushing’s Disease, common signs include abdominal weight gain, stretch marks, insulin resistance, and menstrual irregularities or infertility. If cortisol levels are decreased, some may experience low blood pressure and salt cravings.

These are just a few of the many hormones working behind the scenes to keep your body functioning smoothly. When they’re out of balance, the symptoms can be surprisingly wide ranging. At Trust Women’s Healthcare, we’re here to help you make sense of those changes and address any underlying concerns, schedule an appointment with us!