The endocrine system is related to states and responses to stress. It is activated when stressful situations appear and hormones cause alterations in the body’s functioning. The four stress hormones
The most important stress hormones are cortisol, glucagon, and prolactin. However, cortisol has the most impact on modifying physical and mental functioning.
On the other hand, sex hormones are also modified during states of stress, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
What is stress?
Stress is a physical or emotional tension from any situation or thought that causes anxiety, nervousness, or frustration.
When a person suffers from stress, he experiences not only psychological changes but also suffers physical alterations and changes. There is psychological stress, a factor that the person perceives as stressful causes changes in their physical and organic activity.
In addition, in prolonged situations, stress-related hormones are involved. These hormones are responsible for these physical alterations.
What happens to hormones when there is stress?
The endocrine system is the one that is related to states and responses to stress. This system is activated when stressful situations appear and, as a result, accelerates the functioning of the adrenal glands.
This causes a chain reaction of the hormones, and cortisol is the hormone that changes the way the body works even more. Below, you can see the four stress hormones.
1. Stress hormones: cortisol
Cortisol is the stress hormone par excellence. The agency manufactures it in emergencies to help us face problems and respond quickly and effectively. In this way, when we are stressed, the release of cortisol increases.
Under normal conditions, the cells of our body use 90% of the energy in metabolic activities such as repair, renewal, or the formation of new tissues.
However, in stressful situations, our brain sends orders for greater amounts of cortisol to be released. According to the Mayo Clinic and other groups, this hormone is what makes the blood sugar level rise so that more energy can be sent to the muscles. The four stress hormones
But when we are constantly stressed, our cortisol levels keep going up and up. This means that we have to use a lot of energy to get glucose into the blood, and our bodies can’t heal, renew, or make new tissues.
The first symptoms of having elevated cortisol levels are:
- lack of sense of humor.
- Irritability.
- Permanent fatigue.
- Headaches and muscle cramps
- Palpitations.
- lack of appetite.
- Digestive problems.
2. Glucagon
The hormone called glucagon is synthesized in the pancreas. Its main action focuses on the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Glucagon causes the liver to release glucose when our body needs it, either because of a stressful situation or because blood glucose levels are low. This hormonal imbalance can be dangerous for people who suffer from some type of diabetes.
3. Prolactin
The pituitary gland is responsible for producing the hormone prolactin. It is responsible for stimulating the milk secretion of women during the breastfeeding period.
Hence, elevating prolactin inhibits female sex hormone synthesis. Thus, high levels of stress can cause alterations in sexual desire as well as in the menstrual cycle.
4. Sex hormones
When there are long periods of stress, the sex hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone see their normal functioning altered.
4.1. Testosterone
Testosterone, a male sexual hormone, is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics as well as sexual response.
When there are high levels of stress, testosterone production decreases since the body prioritizes the release of other hormones, such as cortisol, which are more useful in the face of stress or danger. That’s why sexual problems such as impotence, erectile dysfunction, or a lack of sexual desire may appear.
4.2. Estrogens
High levels of stress decrease the release of estrogen, disturbing the normal sexual functioning of women.
4.3. Progesterone
Progesterone is produced in the ovaries and is responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. When progesterone production decreases, symptoms such as extreme fatigue, weight gain, headaches, mood alterations, and a lack of sexual desire may appear.The four stress hormones
Stress hormones: they influence the body and our day-to-day
Long-term stress releases hormones that alter your body. The four stress hormones
