hormones news stories on Newser

Look Out, Viagra: Testosterone Drugs Gain Popularity

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:25:54 CDT

New drugs designed in part to save the sex lives of aging men could become the biggest thing since Viagra, reports Bloomberg . The problem is that the testosterone boosters from Eli Lilly and Abbott are becoming so popular that doctors worry men who don't need them for strictly medical reasons...

Hormone Find Could Yield 'Exercise Pill'

Rob Quinn — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:06:54 CST

In research that may alarm gym owners, scientists have found a hormone responsible for many of exercise's health benefits. The newly discovered hormone—named "irisin" after the Greek messenger goddess Iris—turns ordinary white fat cells into energy-burning brown fat, and helps ward off diabetes by improving glucose tolerance, Time...

Babies Cut Dads' Testosterone

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:34:00 CDT

Who knew newborns could have such a significant physical impact on their dads' bodies? Scientists have discovered that fathers experience a significant reduction in their body's testosterone with the birth of a son or daughter. They believe it's Mother Nature's way of making men less interested in things like fighting...

'Hormone Case' Guys Not Fit for Politics

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:01:08 CDT

Get a grip, fellas. Obviously, many of you have runaway hormone issues that make it impossible for you to behave responsibly in public office. Yet popular culture has always insisted that "women can't be be trusted in positions of power because their judgment might be addled by raging hormones," writes...

BPA-Free Plastics Leach Hormone-Like Chemicals

Rob Quinn — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:38:00 CST

More bad health news on the plastics front. Even BPA-free plastic products can leach a chemical that acts like the sex hormone estrogen, according to new research. The researchers bought hundreds of plastic products from stores like Wal-Mart and Whole Foods, focusing on products that come in contact with food,...

Warm and Fuzzy Oxytocin Has Its Limits

Nick McMaster — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:00:00 CST

Oxytocin is a hormone most commonly associated with the close feelings of trust and companionship that lovers and family members feel. But the chemical may have a dark side: new research shows there are limits to the affection it can stimulate, the New York Times reports. Experiments by University of...

What Women Want: Oxytocin

Evann Gastaldo — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:42:00 CST

If you've ever found yourself wondering what in the world women really want, scientists have an answer for you: oxytocin . The hormone, which has previously been shown to boost good feelings like trust and empathy, makes women happier, according to new research out of California. Scientists studied oxytocin levels in...

Hormone Pills Boost Breast Cancer Risks

Kevin Spak — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:28:28 CDT

Women who take hormone treatments after menopause are not only more likely to get cancer, but more likely to die from it, according to a new study. Doctors already knew that certain hormone pills increased the risk of cancer, but the study, which followed 12,788 women, found that the...

Cure for the Common Nerd: Nasal Spray

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:25:00 CDT

A blast of oxytocin nasal spray can turn a nerd into a potential playa—but only if a guy is "socially awkward" to begin with, scientists have found. Researchers discovered that the chemical—know as the "love hormone" for its ability to increase empathy and bonding, particularly between parent and...