Your endocrine system relies on balance. An increase or a drop in one hormone can trigger a drop or rise in another. So changes in your environment, like air or water quality, can affect your hormones, and how you feel during different parts of your cycle. 

And the changes to your hormones can be even more consequential during critical growth periods — like when a fetus is developing and during puberty. 

To discuss this topic and more, we’re joined today by Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah. She's a professor at Harvard School of Public Health and a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

For more information on today’s episode visit helloclue.com/hormonal. And to find out how to support the work here at Clue, go to Clue.Plus. 

Want to know the answer to the question at the beginning of the show? Check out Digestion and your cycle: A conversation between Clue and Cara on helloclue.com.

Episode Links:

Helloclue.com: How I determine the causes of irregular periods

Helloclue.com: Clue lets you know if you’re at risk for PCOS