How Red Light Therapy Improves Hormone Health

IN THIS ARTICLE:

01 Red Light Therapy and Hormone Regulation
02 What is Red Light Therapy?
03 Red Light Therapy and Stress Reduction
04 Red Light Therapy and Melatonin
05 Red Light Therapy and Reproductive Health
06 Red Light Therapy and The Immune System
07 Red Light Therapy and Testosterone
08 Red Light Therapy For Thyroid Health
09 Red Light Therapy For Menopause
10 How to Improve Hormonal Health With Red Light Therapy?

5-minute read

Hormones regulate key body functions such as growth, metabolism, electrolyte balance, and reproduction. They are produced by various glands, including the hypothalamus, which controls the release of pituitary hormones. Pituitary hormones either act on other glands, like the adrenal glands (cortisol), gonads (sex hormones), thyroid (thyroid hormone), parathyroid (parathyroid hormone), or directly affect target organs. The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon. Many hormones operate within regulatory cascades involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, and target glands.

Hormones are vital chemical messengers that impact how we feel from day to day - hormone imbalance can interfere with our ability to function properly and have a physical and psychological impact. Exploring natural and safe methods to balance hormones can profoundly improve how we feel, helping our bodies function at their best.

Red Light Therapy and Hormone Regulation

Studies show that red light therapy can regulate the endocrine system, the network of glands and organs responsible for producing, storing, and releasing energy.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a therapeutic technique that involves the application of red light wavelengths to the skin to trigger mitochondrial function and boost cellular energy. This increase in cellular activity has been shown to enhance and regulate the production of certain hormones. Red light therapy is traditionally associated with healing and rejuvenation and more recently as an aesthetic treatment to reverse signs of aging, boost collagen, and treat other skin concerns such as acne, redness, and hyperpigmentation.

Red Light Therapy and Stress Reduction

Cortisol, also known as the ‘stress hormone’ is a chemical released by the adrenal glands. Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, suppresses inflammation, and regulates blood sugar. In this study, exposure to blue light has been shown to have a more significant effect on cortisol levels than exposure to red light. This regulation of cortisol levels enhances the body’s ability to manage stress, fostering a greater sense of relaxation and improving sleep quality.

Red Light Therapy and Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. It is often referred to as the "sleep hormone" because its production increases in response to darkness, promoting feelings of sleepiness and helping to initiate and maintain sleep. Research indicates that exposure to red light therapy wavelengths encourages the natural release of melatonin to regulate circadian rhythm and improve sleep quality and duration.

This is particularly important if you experience pre-menstrual insomnia, a sleep disturbance experienced in the week before your period where less melatonin is released by the body and progesterone levels are higher.

Red Light Therapy and Reproductive Health

Women of menstruating age experience a 28-day hormone cycle, during which estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels fluctuate. Reproductive health incorporates more than the ability to get pregnant including and extends to PMS symptoms, energy levels, and much more. There is a developing body of research indicating red and infrared light therapy can be beneficial for reproductive health. Red light therapy has been shown to increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the reproductive system by boosting blood flow and mitochondrial activity. This can reduce pain and inflammation in the body. Too much inflammation and oxidative stress in the body can also interfere with reproductive health and full-body LED therapy treatments are linked to reduced inflammation in the body. There is also some link between red light therapy and testosterone and sperm mobility in males.

Red Light Therapy and The Immune System

High cortisol levels and increased inflammation can suppress the immune system - red light therapy has been shown to enhance the function of lymphocytes - antibody-producing cells that attack bacteria, viruses, and toxins to boost the body’s immune response.

Red Light Therapy and Testosterone

Testosterone is primarily a male hormone but it is also produced in smaller amounts by the female ovaries. Testosterone levels that are either too high or too low can cause problems - if you are suffering from low testosterone, red light therapy has been shown to regulate testosterone levels that decline with age. More research is certainly needed in this area however.

Red Light Therapy For Thyroid Health

The thyroid is a gland responsible for responsible for secreting hormones - its main function is to control the speed of our metabolism. While red light therapy cannot cure any thyroid-related diseases, it may improve thyroid function, particularly for those with thyroid disorders.

Red Light Therapy For Menopause

Menopause - or the cessation of the menstrual cycle brings with it many hormonal, physical, and psychological changes. Menopause is an ideal time to incorporate red and infrared light therapy, as it helps stimulate collagen production and supports the density of tissues and bones, which naturally decline during this stage. Red light therapy can treat many symptoms associated with menopause such as inflammation, insomnia, and musculoskeletal pain.

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How to Improve Hormonal Health With Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy isn’t a complete solution for severe hormone imbalance. If you're experiencing symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor to make sure red light therapy is a good fit for your overall treatment plan.

Red light therapy results are achieved through consistent treatments - investing in an at-home device is a great way to ensure gradual and consistent progress in terms of skin rejuvenation and balancing your hormones. A full body panel is a great option if you want a more comprehensive treatment in a shorter time frame. LED light therapy wands are a great contact-free option but treatment times may be a little longer. LED facemasks are a great option for those who want to achieve anti-aging results while improving other biomarkers such as inflammation, hormone regulation and faster sports recovery. Simply place the LED mask on other areas of your body to extend the treatment beyond the face.