My Body · How Your Body Works
How Hormones Affect You
By the eva team · · 2 min read
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the body and help coordinate puberty, growth, ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Changing hormone levels may also influence skin, body hair, sweat, breast tenderness, energy and emotions. However, hormones do not explain every feeling or symptom, and different people can respond to the same hormonal changes in very different ways.
1. Hormones Are Messages Inside Your Body
Hormones are chemical messengers made by glands and organs in the body. They travel through the bloodstream and tell different tissues when to grow, change or begin a particular process. During puberty, these messages help start physical development and the menstrual cycle.
2. Your Brain Starts The Conversation
During puberty, the brain begins sending hormone signals to the pituitary gland. The pituitary releases hormones such as FSH and LH, which communicate with the ovaries. The ovaries then make hormones including estrogen and progesterone and may release an egg during ovulation.
3. Estrogen Supports Puberty And Cycle Changes
Estrogen contributes to changes such as breast and vulval development during puberty. During the menstrual cycle, changing hormone levels also help the uterine lining develop in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
4. Progesterone Helps Prepare The Uterus
After ovulation, progesterone helps maintain and prepare the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels fall, and the lining later leaves the body as a period.
5. Hormones Can Affect Skin, Hair And Sweat
Puberty hormones can make the skin’s oil glands more active, which may contribute to spots or acne. Hormonal changes are also involved in the growth of underarm and pubic hair, stronger body odour and increased sweating. These are common development changes not signs that your body is dirty.
6. Hormones May Influence Mood And Energy Too
Some people notice mood changes, irritability, breast tenderness, tiredness or other symptoms before a period. Changing hormone levels may contribute, but people respond differently and not every emotion is caused by hormones. Stress, sleep, relationships, school and mental health also matter.
7. Track Patterns But Don’t Blame Everything On Hormones
Tracking your cycle, mood, energy, skin and physical symptoms may help you notice repeating patterns. Talk to a trusted adult or healthcare professional if symptoms become intense, repeatedly interrupt school or sleep, or make everyday life difficult. You deserve proper support rather than being told that difficult symptoms are “just hormones.”