Puberty hormones first get produced during adolescence
False The principal hormones related to puberty are oestrogen and progesterone in girls, and testosterone in boys. “These hormones are active during gestation and in infancy in a phase known as mini-puberty,” explains Sasha Howard, a clinical reader and honorary consultant in pediatric endocrinology at Queen Mary, University of London, and Barts Health NHS trust.
During this crucial window, particularly from two to six months of age, reproductive hormones are activated. This triggers significant activity in the testicles of boys and ovaries of girls, preparing these organs for future fertility. Interestingly, a three-month-old boy probably has testosterone levels comparable to those of an adult male.” At this stage, testicles can double in size, and boys frequently experience spontaneous erections, Howard adds. “Mini-puberty typically wraps up by six months for boys, though girls can experience extended activity up to between one and two years.”
A prevalent misconception suggests that boys around age four undergo a “testosterone surge,” which is often cited to justify behavioral challenges. However, Howard argues that there isn’t any evidence supporting this: “From ages two to ten, reproductive hormone activity is relatively subdued.”
Hormones are just a female issue
False “Both men and women are equally affected by hormones. They don’t pertain merely to women’s issues,” asserts Dr. Saira Hameed, a consultant endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust and author of Signals: The Inside Story of Our Hormones. While women experience menstruation and menopause, where hormonal influences are evident, both sexes possess identical hormones. “Women produce testosterone; men do too. Women generate oestrogen; men do as well,” Hameed notes.
The chief distinction lies in the quantities; men have greater testosterone levels while women have higher oestrogen levels. “If I looked at thyroid function blood test results, I wouldn’t be able to identify whether the sample was from a man or a woman—it’s the same for cortisol, insulin, and blood sugar. Outside the fertility context, hormones do not exhibit gender specificity,” she explains.
Taking testosterone makes you aggressive
Mostly false “Testosterone should only be administered to men whose levels are lacking,” states Dr. Channa Jayasena, a professor of reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London and a consultant for the NHS and private sector. In such cases, it’s “entirely safe,” he maintains. “It doesn’t induce aggression; it can actually enhance mood and quality of life.”
Problems arise when testosterone is taken without professional guidance, like when men misuse anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass. “They might be consuming hundreds to thousands of times more than necessary. At those extreme doses, testosterone can impact the brain’s limbic system—which deals with emotions and fear—and may lead to aggressive behavior,” Jayasena explains.
Cortisol is a ‘bad’ hormone
False Cortisol is the primary stress hormone, with levels increasing in stressful situations—like during a crucial meeting or a disagreement. Hameed refers to this as the “cortisol edge,” enhancing mental acuity and alertness. “In the short term, this can be beneficial, so we don’t need to suppress it. However, we also want to avoid a state of chronic stress,” she adds.
If cortisol levels are elevated consistently due to stress rather than a medical issue, the best solutions involve stress reduction, says Hameed. “Spending time with loved ones, exercising, ensuring good sleep, and eating properly can help. Buying a cortisol-balancing tea, however, won’t cut it.”
If your mum had a bad menopause, so will you
False “Women often assume that their mother’s and sister’s menopause experiences will mirror their own,” says Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist and adjunct assistant professor at NYU Langone hospital, and author of The Hormone Loop: Understanding Your Body from Puberty to Menopause and Beyond. But this isn’t necessarily accurate. “While genetics likely play a significant role in determining the timing of your last period, there’s considerable individual variability,” she notes. “Just because your mother had a tough time with menopause doesn’t guarantee that you will too.”
You stop growing during puberty
True “In both boys and girls, after several years of puberty, sufficient oestrogen is present to close the growth plates in bones, stopping height increase,” Howard explains. Because of this, if there’s concern about a child’s growth, it’s wise to seek advice early. “Most adult height is typically reached before puberty,” she points out. “If, for instance, one has growth hormone deficiency but waits until puberty to act, the opportunity to significantly influence adult height may be lost.”
Being overweight as a child can affect your hormones
True According to the National Child Measurement Programme, in 2024‑25, 10.5% of reception children and 22.2% of year six children were classified as obese. “There are clear associations with earlier onset of puberty for children who are overweight or obese,” Howard says. “The hypothalamus, which is the brain’s control center, isn’t designed to handle excess weight, which results in faulty signals to initiate puberty prematurely.”
You need to ‘balance’ your hormones
False “The body’s hormone levels are finely tuned,” says Hameed. “There are numerous checks in the system.” Goddard agrees: “I think people misunderstand hormone fluctuations, viewing them negatively, yet these fluctuations are what help maintain our body’s homeostasis.” This term refers to keeping everything stable. Goddard believes the concept of needing to balance hormones often originates from the supplement industry. “There’s limited evidence to suggest that supplements can significantly benefit hormone levels,” she concludes.
Testosterone only benefits men, and oestrogen only benefits women
False Testosterone is labeled a male hormone and oestrogen a female hormone, yet “oestrogen is crucial in male sexual functioning and testosterone is essential for women,” asserts Jayasena. For menopausal women experiencing low libido, adding testosterone can help, he adds.
In men, testosterone enhances sexual performance. “Part of its effectiveness comes from being converted into oestrogen, a process performed by various tissues including fat cells within the body,” Jayasena explains.
HRT is harmful
False In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative—a US study on HRT—indicated an increase in breast cancer rates with HRT use, generating media panic that led many women to discontinue their HRT. However, subsequent analyses have pointed out various issues with the study, including its focus on older women rather than those in the early menopause stage, along with a reliance on older, synthetic HRT methods.
Nonetheless, fears surrounding HRT linger. “There’s a myth that HRT is dangerous,” Dr. Jan Toledano from the London Hormone Clinic asserts. “Current methods, using body-identical hormones that the body no longer produces, are analogous to refueling a car properly. Women aren’t obligated to start HRT, but they shouldn’t avoid it out of fear.”
Still, certain groups, including those with a history of breast cancer, may require additional discussions with their physician; those prone to blood clots might do better on alternatives such as patches, sprays, or gels.
Women gain weight during menopause
True The British Menopause Society indicates that weight gain is a common side effect during perimenopause and menopause, affecting at least half of all women. The root of the issue? Hormones. “Oestrogen signals the body to store fat in regions like the hips and thighs. When oestrogen levels drop, we start storing fat around the midsection,” Goddard explains. This type of fat poses metabolic challenges—it can induce insulin resistance and increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
This fat alters the body’s carbohydrate processing. “It creates a cycle,” Goddard notes. “We store carbohydrates as fat, leading to heightened insulin resistance, which in turn makes us crave even more carbohydrates, perpetuating the cycle.”
At the same time, Goddard points out that women typically lose a minor yet significant amount of muscle—around half a kilo. This makes a difference since “muscle is metabolically active,” burning calories differently from fat. To counter this, she advocates for strength training to preserve muscle mass. “It’s also beneficial to reduce carbohydrate intake and increase fiber and protein consumption. We should shift our focus away from just the scale and toward a broader understanding of health considering parameters like blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure,” she suggests.
Girls are starting puberty earlier
True For girls, puberty often begins with breast development. “Once breast buds develop, we anticipate the first period to occur within two to two and a half years. Studies indicate girls enter puberty roughly a year earlier now, although their first period arrives about six months sooner,” says Goddard.
Currently, there are various theories about this shift. “Historically, we’ve observed changes in menstrual timing back to the 1850s,” she observes. “Initially, this could have stemmed from the Industrial Revolution and nutritional improvements. Nowadays, it seems children with excess weight might generate more oestrogen earlier, which could explain earlier puberty onset.” Another potential factor is the presence of certain “endocrine-disrupting chemicals” in our environment, though pinpointing the exact culprits remains uncertain, according to Goddard.
Melatonin helps you stay asleep
False Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland in the brain, regulates the circadian rhythm, with levels rising during the night. In the UK, melatonin supplements are accessible only through prescription, whereas they can often be purchased over the counter in other countries. However, they may not necessarily solve sleep issues.
