Hormonal Imbalance Screen Time refers to the correlation between excessive or ill-timed use of digital screens and measurable dysregulation within the endocrine system, primarily affecting the cortisol-melatonin axis, thyroid function, and reproductive hormone cycles. This imbalance is not solely due to the light emitted but also the sedentary behavior and psychological stress induced by prolonged digital engagement. Clinical assessment of a patient’s hormonal status must now routinely include a detailed evaluation of their screen time habits as a potential etiological factor.
Origin
This term is a direct consequence of the 21st-century merger of lifestyle and pathology, linking a ubiquitous modern behavior—screen use—to fundamental physiological dysregulation. It is rooted in chronobiology and endocrinology, drawing on studies that quantified the impact of light and stress on core hormonal rhythms. The term provides a clear conceptual link for patients between their digital habits and their systemic health.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the disruption of the circadian rhythm by evening screen time, where blue light exposure delays the nocturnal melatonin surge, consequently shifting the timing of other pituitary hormones. Furthermore, the sustained mental engagement during screen use contributes to chronic, low-grade activation of the HPA axis, leading to persistent cortisol elevation. This hormonal stress state can interfere with the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, potentially manifesting as irregularities in the menstrual cycle or reduced testosterone production.
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