Byrne said: ‘I wanted to write a book that helps elucidate the complex and often astonishing workings of these so-called ‘messengers’, the chemicals that influence so much of how we move through the world. Too often, the endocrine system is reduced to misinformation and oversimplification that obscure rather than illuminate its richness. I hope this book offers a more expansive, evidence-led way of seeing – one that allows us to better understand and appreciate these processes in all their intricacy.

‘It also felt important to move beyond the limiting idea that hormones belong primarily within a ‘women’s health’ space. They are fundamental to all bodies, shaping every one of us in profound and interconnected ways, and deserve to be understood as such. Working with Susanna is a genuine privilege, and I know we share the same editorial vision for the book.’

Wadeson said: ‘Anna uses her own story as a platform from which to take a deep dive into how our hormones operate. Her book is structured as a journey, introducing us chapter by chapter to the glands and chemicals that preside over our lives, this framing and feeding into urgent broader questions about the social context that controls our relationship with our body. There is extraordinary power in her ability to bring both personal experience and her investigative skills to this process. With her we meet experts both medical and not – from cooks to musicians to Olympians – and explore new and fast-changing science. The book will be both utterly fascinating and revelatory.’

Finn said: ‘Anna does such an exceptional job of bridging scientific fact with the day-to-day experiences and questions that dominate so many of our lives, and her voice will be a vital contribution to our evolving understanding of our bodies and health. Susanna is the perfect partner and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have landed with Doubleday.’

Image credit: Rob Baker Ashton