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Q: Do humans really have a love hormone?

A:

Yes, we do. It’s called oxytocin. It’s one of the many hormones released into the blood stream from the pituitary gland, a small structure at the base of our brain.

It got the name “love hormone” because of its association with intimacy, both physical and mental. The pituitary gland releases oxytocin in response to a variety of stimuli.

In women, it plays an important role in childbirth by promoting contraction of the uterus during labor. Breastfeeding also raises levels of the hormone. Nipple stimulation sends signals to the pituitary gland to send out more oxytocin, resulting in a positive cycle of loving feelings and bonding with the baby.

Sexual intimacy raises levels of oxytocin. But so do many other types of social bonding, like hugging, holding hands, or just having loving feelings about people close to us.

Oxytocin is a natural stress reliever. When our love hormone level rises, it acts on our brain to diminish anxiety and induce relaxation. In addition, a higher oxytocin level is associated with lower blood pressures and heart rates.

While there are important biological benefits for women, men also make oxytocin. And they can release just as much of the love hormone as women do.

But the mind and body response to oxytocin is not the same for both sexes. Testosterone dampens the positive effects of oxytocin; estrogen appears to enhance them.

Researchers have found that there are distinct differences in the way women and men experience, and respond to, stress. This could be related to the dampening vs. enhancing properties of male verses female hormones.

When under stress, both men and women release epinephrine and cortisol — the hormones that help ready us to fight or flee.

Given the greater oxytocin influence in women, they are less likely to fight or flee when faced with stressors. Instead, their tendency is to “tend-and-befriend.”

“Tending” is nurturing behavior designed to protect and relieve distress. “Befriending” refers to seeking and maintaining social connections.

Men under stress release testosterone, which overrides any stress relieving properties of oxytocin. This makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Thousands of years ago a heightened fight or flee response was necessary for male survival.

But in modern times, not so much. In fact, tamping down the stress response is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone.

So, what can a man do? As a male, I can’t naturally do anything to alter my testosterone level, and I don’t want to. But the suggestion that I might help boost my oxytocin level with more social bonding sounds very appealing.

Q: I developed spots in my left eye. My doctor called them floaters. I wear glasses and, other than being a bit annoying, my vision seems fine. Will they go away? If so, how long will it take?

A: As we age, the thick, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye — called the vitreous — can form blobs that look like spots, cobwebs or strings. Some of this debris may wind up floating around and blocking some of the light coming into your eyes.

Most floaters are small and don’t bother vision much. But if they are larger or ring-shaped, they might indicate that the vitreous, which normally hugs the retina in the back of the eye, has freed itself from the retina.

When there is a sudden appearance of larger floaters, it may be caused by a detached or torn retina. If that happens, you should immediately call your eye doctor or primary care physician. A detached or torn retina requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

People at risk for retinal tears include those who are older, are nearsighted, have a family history of a retinal detachment, or have had eye surgery.

Most floaters are usually just a nuisance. In many cases, floaters become less noticeable or more tolerable over time, and can even disappear. But how much they bother you and how long it lasts varies.

In extreme cases, surgery can be considered. The traditional procedure is known as a vitrectomy. The eye surgeon removes the gel — along with its floaters. It’s effective, but it has risks, including cataracts (cloudy lenses) and retinal detachment. It’s usually a last resort for people whose floaters make it hard for them to see.

Another treatment called YAG vitreolysis uses a laser procedure to vaporize floaters by heating them. Although most eye surgeons don’t recommend it, a recent study suggested that for very large floaters it appears to be effective and safe, at least in the short run. However, the researchers acknowledge that larger and longer studies are needed.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit http://www.health.harvard.edu.

© 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.