We all know that woman - the one who can't help being the life of the party. The one who seems to glide through every crowd, leaving an almost perceptible shimmer in her wake. The one who, after calling it a night, takes her shine with her - and the energy and electricity in the room drop. When it comes to the mingling of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters inside our bodies, there's a VIP of vibes there too - her name is oestrogen.
When her presence starts to fade, your mood begins to reflect it (even if you aren't fully aware of it). If you've ever felt a little sad, a little annoyed or just a little off for no good reason, a plummeting oestrogen level could be the culprit. And while the hormone may be a key mover and shaker of your emotions, her departure doesn't mean you have to sit everything out. Here's how to keep grooving.
Meet *The* Happy Hormone
Oestrogen does a lot more than just regulate your period. "There are oestrogen receptors all over our body, including many in the brain," says Dr Heather Hirsch, a menopause specialist and host of the Health By Heather Hirsch podcast. So when oestrogen levels rise and fall during the course of your cycle - levels increase during the first two weeks (known as the follicular phase), peak during ovulation and decrease during the second two weeks (the luteal phase), leading into menstruation - it's no wonder our brains feel it too. "Because oestrogen has several antidepressant properties, many women will notice a boost in their mood when oestrogen increases and a more depressed or anxious one when it decreases," says psychiatrist Dr Alison Hermann.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January - February 2023 من Women's Health South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January - February 2023 من Women's Health South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.