Question:
I’m in stage 3.5. So why is this hormonal fluctuation happening?
Answer:
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body. They are used throughout your body to regulate its various processes. A few years ago, hormones released from your pituitary gland signaled that it was time for your body to change from child to adult. In response, your testicles began to grow and manufacture testosterone. This hormone is one of the primary ones that regulate your male characteristics.
However, there is a slight difficulty. The manufacturing of testosterone takes place between your legs, but the regulatory decisions about how much is needed occur at the base of your brain. Your body has a “supply and demand” problem. Your brain sends out chemical signals of “We need more.” Your testicles respond by producing more. Your brain says, “Whoa! Too much!” and your testicles back off. Meanwhile, your blood levels of testosterone fluctuate up and down as a happy medium is sought. It would settle, but your body is growing, so the amount needed changes daily. In addition, testosterone is involved in your sexual responses, so getting aroused and ejaculating also changes the levels. In other words, your body is trying to work out a delicate balance in a constantly changing system and frequently misses its targets. Sometimes, you get too much, which causes you to be aggressive and aroused. Sometimes, you get too little, which can make you feel sluggish and depressed.
Your hormone levels also change throughout the day, as the chart shows. However, notice that for young men, they vary more widely than they do for older men. They are even more unsteady for boys in their development years.
Due to their reproductive system, women deal with constantly changing hormones, which can make them moody at times. Eventually, they adapt to the sequence of changes — though they still have mood swings. Men’s bodies are designed for steady hormones, but the constant changes during the teenage years also make them moody. Since it isn’t a cycle, it is hard to be prepared for mood changes.
Response:
This is such a great information. Thank you.