If you have not met them yet, you will: The seven Dwarfs of Menopause. Mother Nature forgets no one in her quest to show you who’s the boss. Their names are Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Bloated, Forgetful, Sleepy, and All Dried Up.

So many factors affect our bodies and our hormones that may seem overwhelming at times to correct them. A great jumping off point is being aware of both intrinsic and extrinsic things can make ageing a joy or battle.

A general list of common things that can affect hormones include:

• Aging
• Genetics
• Stress
• Radiation
• Major Surgery
• Pesticides
• Endocrine Disruptors

While some factors may be out of our control to a certain extent, others such as pesticides use, stress and endocrine disruptors are manageable. Many products we use daily ranging from skincare to body washes to toothpaste can contain endocrine disruptors. Doing a bit of searching and familiarizing yourself with ingredients will empower you to be a discerning label reader. Here are a few categories to keep in mind when learning more about how each can adversely affect your hormonal system of checks and balances.

 Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) is a surfactant commonly found in products to provide lather and cleansing. SLS affects our hormones indirectly by damaging the skin barrier. The SLS strips away the skin’s natural oils, damaging skin protein that can leave gaps in the skin’s homeostasis which allows other chemicals to be absorbed that leads to inflammation. SLS can be found in shampoos, body washes, toothpaste, dish soaps, laundry detergents, and even some foods like marshmallows. The inflammation created by SLS’s can affect the function of the endocrine system.

Parabens are the synthetic preservative used to prevent growth of bacteria and mold to extend shelf life. Parabens, however, can mimic hormones and can potentially interfere with hormonal function. Binding estrogen receptors, fooling the body to identify it as estrogen which can lead to increased cell growth and potentially alter normal hormone signaling. One of the first signs of this interference may be skin irritation.

Phalates, the group of chemicals used to make scents, lasts longer. Like parabens, phalates hack the hormones by blocking and mimicking other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormone. Bottom line- damage can result in health consequences related to fertility, growth, and development, as well as metabolic risks such as cardiovascular problems.

Synthetic Colors and Fragrances are the most common and most overlooked endocrine disruptors found. Commonly found in fragrances, octoxynols, the emulsifiers in fragrances, disrupt the endocrine system.

Beyond avoiding the above, methods to explore to counter the affects of these are several detoxification processes such as:

•  Improving sleep quality by minimizing screen time
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Using glass or stainless-steel food containers
• Fiber rich probiotic diet
• Infrared Saunas
• Lymphatic Drainage
• Red Light Therapy

In addition to implementing these practices into your life, it may be time to go a bit deeper if you are experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your daily life such as fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, and brain fog. On an aesthetic level, hair loss, wrinkling, and loss of elasticity in the skin (particularly if you have been on GLP therapy) can be improved with proper hormone balancing. Many providers favor hormone therapy to address bone density, mental acuity, and heart health. With so many things affected by our hormones, it just makes sense to keep them in check.

Getting your hormone panels evaluated in your thirties is a smart way to avoid the pitfalls of the rollercoaster ride of hormonal imbalance most everyone experience as they age.

It's important to see a licensed professional so you can get assessed and have an accurate understanding of your hormone levels. The provider can guide you with the correct options for hormonal support with replacement therapy, peptides, supplements an other methods to find the eudaimonia you so well deserve. Taking initiative-taking steps today is essential for safeguarding your future health and well-being.