Imagine your body as a bustling movie set. There’s a lot of action, drama, and unexpected plot twists. Now imagine the director (a.k.a your hormones) completely MIA. The lights flicker, the music’s off, the schedule is messed up, and the lead actor (you) doesn’t know the lines. That’s what happens when hormones go haywire.
Whether it’s mood swings, periods playing hide-and-seek, or energy levels that are lower than your phone battery, your hormones might be trying to send you an SOS. Spoiler: ignoring it won’t help.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are like tiny text messages your body sends: “Grow that hair,” “Start your period,” “Recharge battery,” “feel horny,” and so on. They’re chemical messengers released by glands (hello thyroid, ovaries, adrenals) and they manage everything from mood and metabolism to menstruation and libido.
In short: hormones are backstage crew making sure the show runs smoothly. If they skip rehearsal? Expect chaos.

Indian Women & Their Hormones: The Reality Check

Here’s a truth bomb: a significant number of Indian women face hormone-related issues without realising. Studies show the prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) among Indian women ranges from about 3.7% to 22.5%.

 And you know what? Hormonal imbalances don’t stop there! Many young women in India still skip screenings, thinking “It’ll get better” or “It’s just the stress.” The cultural attitude towards medical check ups and regular testing doesn't help either.

Unfortunately, hormones don’t wait for you to check your calendar. They quietly mess with your health, mood, fertility, mental health,  and future if you leave them unattended.

You can’t Namaste your cortisol into balance because your hormones need testing, not manifesting.

Basic Guide on Types of Hormones in a Woman’s Body

• Thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4) control metabolism. If they’re disbalanced, you might feel cold, tired, and gain weight.

• Reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, LH (luteinizing hormone), and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) run your cycle, fertility, and sexy-time energy.

• Androgens/Testosterone (yes, you have them too) disbalance can cause acne, hair changes, libido dips.

• Prolactin, Cortisol, etc could be at play if you’re often anxious, sleepless or have weird periods.

That Sassy Reminder: Your hormones aren’t dramatic, they’re just underpaid and overworked.

What Hormone Tests Can Show & Why You Matter

Here’s what you can test for (and trust: it’s not boring):

• Thyroid profile: If you’re always exhausted, cold or your hair’s gone AWOL.

• Fertility or ovarian reserve tests like AMH: If “should we have babies?” is whispering in the back of your mind.

• PCOS screen: For irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth. Big deal in India.

And the best-part? You don’t always need crazy symptoms to get tested. Sometimes you’re just off (mood swing central, libido nonexistent, cycle chaos) that’s enough reason.

And no, skipping your tests because “it’s just stress” doesn’t count as self-care.

Signs You Should Get Your Hormones Checked

• Your period’s MIA, too frequent or feels weird.

• You’re gaining weight without changing food.

• Your skin’s breaking out, hair’s falling out, or you see random hair growth.

• You’re tired all the time, or feel wired for no reason.

• You’ve tried to get pregnant (or stopped trying) and nothing’s happening.

If you’re nodding at more than one of these: book your appointment. Prevention is better than panicking later.

The Preventive Screening Ethos

Here’s a smart move: instead of waiting for the body to scream “S.O.S”, treat hormone testing like your yearly oil change. You don’t wait for your car to die before checking the engine. Same deal here. Early testing can detect stuff before it spirals into infertility, thyroid chaos, mood disorders or worse.

Talk to your gynac or a hormone specialist. Show them your symptoms, get the tests done. Interpret the results. Plan the next steps. Don’t DIY it with Google (or r/askreddit).

Conclusion

Your hormonal balance is not “just part of being a woman.” It’s central to your physical health, emotional mood-board, sex life and future. Getting tested isn’t an admission of weakness: it’s a power move.
So book that blood test. Ask questions. Demand clarity. Because when you listen to your hormones, you listen to you. 

About the Author

Madhu (she/her) has been an avid reader of all things spicy since her childhood. She writes sassy blog posts and listicles now so that others may benefit from her wholly inappropriate, wholly informative tastes, too.