A fascinating, in-depth look at the crucial role that hormones play on human health at all ages and stages of our lives—written by one of the world’s foremost experts.

“Hormones are the conductors of our body’s orchestra.” —Max Nieuwdorp

Our hormones shape us at every stage of our lives, from the second we are conceived to the moment we breathe our last breath. They are essential to our immune system, sleep, digestion, hunger, stress levels, and so much more. When our hormone systems aren’t functioning well, it wreaks havoc on our health and our wellbeing—and yet most of us know very little about the far-reaching power of the human body’s crucial chemical messengers.

Professor Max Nieuwdorp, an international authority on hormones, sets out to change this. He explores the role our hormones play from our early years through to puberty, pregnancy, and old age, combining stories from his day-to-day life treating his patients with the amazing, cutting-edge new science of hormones. These discoveries are changing the way that we understand our bodies, from the decline in male hormones during andropause to the new science on how gut bacteria affects our hormone balance.

This eye-opening, myth-busting book shines a light on the incredible and under-explored role of hormones, which are essential not only to our health, but to our moods, our social interactions, and so much of what makes us who we are.

“A delightfully readable book on how hormones shape our bodies and our minds. It's a deep and fascinating look into a critical aspect of what makes us human and points the way to becoming our better selves.”
— DR. BRIAN GOLDMAN, host of CBC Radio’s White Coat, Black Art, author of The Night Shift and The Power of Kindness, and ER doctor

“Max Nieuwdorp debunks the myths which are making the rounds in self-help books.”
— de Volkskrant (Netherlands) 

“Finally, there is a book worthy of the hormone's great, and frequently misunderstood, power. Dr. Nieuwdorp has written an essential guide to human hormones that is equal parts history, science, and stories from the front lines—and is a joy to read.”
— LESLIE SCHROCK, author of Bumpin’ and Fertility Rules

“A lucid and persuasive account of the impact of our hormones throughout every stage of life.”
— Zin Magazine (Netherlands) 

“Every page of this book is fascinating, glorious, and profound. This is one of the great frontiers of science for our age. So much of who we are comes down to the ebb and flow of hormones moving through our body.”
— DANIEL M. DAVIS, author of The Beautiful Cure and The Secret Body 

“He illustrates the latest research findings with patient case studies as well as examples of hormonal imbalance in world leaders and biblical figures.”
— NRC Handelsblad (Netherlands)