Hormones are chemical messengers that help coordinate the various activities of different organs in the body. When there is a disruption in hormone production or an imbalance between hormones, it can have serious consequences. In pregnancy, the levels of certain hormones change significantly to support the growth and development of the fetus and its mother. During this process, some women experience uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea or swelling at certain points in their pregnancy. These effects come about as a result of changing hormone levels. In this article, we’ll explain how pregnancy hormones affect a woman’s body – from her heart to her hands (and everything in between). Read on to learn more…
What Happens to the Body When There’s Too Much Hormone?
When there is too much of a certain pregnancy hormone, it can increase the risk of some health conditions including – Cardiovascular issues – Pregnant women who produce too much progesterone are at higher risk of developing blood clots. These clots can travel to the lungs, leading to life-threatening pulmonary embolisms. They can also lead to hypertension, which can be harmful to both mother and baby. – Edema – Too much estrogen can cause swelling in the hands, feet, and face, as well as in the pelvic region. – Gestational diabetes – This is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women can get. It happens when the body is unable to properly use insulin, which allows the body to move sugar from the blood into the cells. – Hormonal skin conditions – Cysts, acne, stretch marks and melasma are all linked to hormone levels. – Hypercoagulability – This is a condition in which the blood is more likely to clot. – Increased risk of heart disease – While all pregnant women have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, women who have excessive levels of estrogen are at even greater risk. – Weight gain – Excessive levels of estrogen can lead to fluid retention, which can cause weight gain.
The Good: Pregnancy Hormones Help Grow a Baby
During pregnancy, the body produces more estrogen and progesterone than it normally would. This is because the hormone levels in pregnant women are higher than normal to promote growth and development in the fetus. Estrogen, progesterone, and other pregnancy hormones help to promote the growth of the fetus’s internal organs and bones. They also increase the levels of blood flow to the liver, which is where red blood cells are produced. Higher hormone levels also affect pregnant women’s skin and hair, causing the cells to multiply faster and produce more collagen, which makes the skin more elastic. This helps pregnant women retain their normal skin tone, even as their body grows. Hormones can also affect the way pregnant women’s digestive system works. Estrogen can slow down the intestines, which can cause constipation.
The Bad: Pregnancy Hormones Cause Discomfort and Swelling
Some symptoms of pregnancy are triggered by higher levels of progesterone and estrogen. These hormones can make a woman feel less functional and more uncomfortable due to swelling in the hands, feet, and face. They can also cause nausea, constipation, headaches, and fatigue. The levels of these hormones also increase during the second trimester, which can cause a woman’s breasts to swell and her nipples to become darker in color. These kinds of symptoms are normal and are caused by the body adjusting to the growing fetus. However, some women experience more serious complications from higher hormone levels. Women who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or a tendency towards blood clots, need to be extra careful during their pregnancy. They may need medications to help control their symptoms.
The Ugly: Pregnancy Can Lead to Long-Term Issues Like PCOS or Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women who have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone are at risk of developing long-term health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or gestational diabetes. These conditions can cause irregular periods and other problematic symptoms. PCOS is a long-term condition that causes cysts on the ovaries. It can also lead to irregular periods, infertility, and hair growth on the face or in unusual places on the body. Women with PCOS are often treated with estrogen-lowering medications during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to properly use insulin, which is needed to move sugar from the blood into the cells. Pregnant women who have higher levels of estrogen are at higher risk of developing this condition.
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Bottom Line
Pregnancy hormones are responsible for the changes that take place in a woman’s body as she prepares to nurture and give birth to a child. These hormones are present in every stage of pregnancy, but their levels fluctuate at different times. The sudden increase in one hormone and a decrease in another leads to physical transformations. During pregnancy, the body produces more hormones than normal, which can cause discomfort and swelling. Women who have certain health conditions are at greater risk of experiencing negative effects from higher hormone levels. In order to stay healthy during pregnancy, it’s important to know how your body will react during this exciting time.