Tips To Balance Hormones Naturally
In addition to taking supplements that promote hormonal balance, theres a number of other lifestyle changes you can do to balance hormones naturally. Some of these include:
- Incorporate a hormone balanced diet that contains foods which are rich in nutrition, proteins, fiber, and other healthy fats. If youre suffering from a specific hormone imbalance, e.g. low estrogen, you can start eating foods that boost estrogen production.
- Drink green tea, , as it contains antioxidants and metabolism-boosting ingredients that are associated with several health benefits.
- Exercise regularly to boost your serotonin, estrogen, and testosterone levels and increase your memory, mood, sex drive, and general health.
- Cut down on sugar and refined fats, as studies suggest they are linked to insulin resistance. This way you can avoid obesity, diabetes, and other types of diseases.
- Use essential oils that can positively affect your hormone balance. Some hormone balance essential oils include clary sage, Ylang Ylang, thyme, and rosemary.
Engage In Regular Exercise
Physical activity strongly influences hormonal health. Aside from improving blood flow to your muscles, exercise increases hormone receptor sensitivity, meaning that it enhances the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals (
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Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to take up sugar from your bloodstream to use for energy. However, if you have a condition called insulin resistance, your cells may not effectively react to insulin. This condition is a risk factor for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease .
However, while some researchers still debate whether the improvements come from exercise itself or from losing weight or fat, evidence shows that regular exercise may improve insulin resistance independently of body weight or fat mass reduction .
Many types of physical activity have been found to help prevent insulin resistance, including high intensity interval training, strength training, and cardio .
Being physically active may also help boost levels of muscle-maintaining hormones that decline with age, such as testosterone, IGF-1, DHEA, and human growth hormone .
For people who cannot perform vigorous exercise, even regular walking may increase these hormone levels, potentially improving strength and quality of life .
Summary
Strength training, aerobics, walking, and other forms of exercise may modify hormone levels to reduce your risk of disease and prevent muscle mass decline as you age.
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The Four Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle
What happens during each menstrual cycle? High-level, an egg develops and is released from the ovaries. If a pregnancy doesnt happen, the uterine lining sheds during a menstrual period. You bleed, and the cycle starts again. The four phases of the menstrual cycle are the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase. The length of each phase can differ from woman to woman, and it can change over time.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Amenorrhea
You should call your healthcare provider if you miss three months of periods or miss a period and:
- Have trouble with balance, coordination or vision, which could indicate a more serious condition.
- Produce breast milk when you have not given birth.
- Notice excessive body hair growth.
- Are older than 15 and havent gotten your first period yet.
What Are The Complications Associated With Hormonal Imbalance
Sometimes complications can arise due to hormonal imbalance not because of symptoms. The common cause of a hormonal disorder comes from diabetes, thyroid issues, glandular issues and tumour.
Specifically, in women, it indicates early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cancer. In the male, it may lead to the condition of prostate cancer.
Do consult your doctor immediately if you see any new or unusual symptoms. Always keep a track of changes, as this is helpful when you have to describe to your doctors. Complications associated with the hormonal disorder are:
One of the most life-threatening parts of Hormonal Imbalance is not the surface symptom but also what it may lead to. For instance, common causes of a Hormonal Imbalance like thyroid issues can also cause tumors.
In the case of women, the imbalance can trigger medical conditions like early menopause, and in serious cases, it can lead to cancer too. In men, a Hormone Imbalance could indicate several conditions, including prostate cancer.
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Are There Complications Of Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is not life-threatening. However, some causes may lead to increased risks over the long term, so amenorrhea should always be evaluated. Researchers have found a greater risk of hip and wrist fractures in people with amenorrhea. You may also be at high risk for bone thinning and fertility difficulties.
Eat Enough Protein At Every Meal
Consuming adequate amounts of protein is extremely important.
Not only does protein provide essential amino acids that your body cant make on its own, but your body also needs it to produce protein-derived hormones also known as peptide hormones .
Your endocrine glands make these hormones from amino acids. Peptide hormones play a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes, such as growth, energy metabolism, appetite, stress, and reproduction .
For example, protein intake influences hormones that control appetite and food intake, communicating information about energy status to your brain .
Research has shown that eating protein decreases the hunger hormone ghrelin and stimulates the production of hormones that help you feel full, including peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 .
One 3-month study in 156 teenagers with obesity associated a high protein breakfast with increased PYY and GLP-1 levels, which resulted in weight loss due to increased feelings of fullness .
Experts recommend eating a minimum of 2030 grams of protein per meal. You can do this by including high protein foods such as eggs, chicken breast, lentils, or fish at each meal .
Summary
Eating sufficient protein triggers the production of peptide hormones, some of which suppress appetite and help you feel full. Aim for a minimum of 2030 grams of protein per meal.
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What Is Hormone Imbalance
Hormones are chemical substances produced by glands that are secreted directly into the bloodstream. Through the blood stream, the hormones are carried to various organs of the body to regulate numerous bodily functions. The major hormones are thyroid hormones , estrogen and progesterone and testosterone .
Hormones influence and impact every systemic function in the body. When theyre properly balanced, you feel positive, energetic, well, and motivated when they arent, you may feel sluggish, unwell, too warm, too cold, weak, dizzy, or even extremely sick. In rare cases, imbalances may even cause dangerous or deadly health conditions like thyroid storm that may endanger your life. Luckily, there are different types of remedies for hormonal imbalance.
Because patients experience symptoms with even the slightest hormone change, and because the risk of a more serious condition is so high, doctors like to treat hormone problems early and effectively.
This list of 12 remedies for hormonal imbalance contains a mixture of natural, synthetic, and compounded solutions to help you understand the many options you have for correcting issues like menopause, thyroid conditions, and more.
Benefits Of Natural Treatments For Hormonal Imbalance
Many women are seeking natural treatments for their hormonal imbalances, and for good reason. Natural treatments have fewer side effects and can be just as effective, if not more effective, than other treatments. Bio-identical hormone replacements are made to mimic the natural hormones your body makes, meaning your body shouldnt be able to tell the difference. Platelet-Rich Plasma treatments involve taking a blood sample from the patient, separating the plasma that is rich in platelets, and injecting that plasma into the affected areas of the body. Both treatments are natural and safe. For more information, see:
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Does Acanthosis Nigricans Mean I Have Diabetes
While AN doesnt always mean you have diabetes or prediabetes, it can be a sign of diabetes. So talk to your healthcare provider if you notice signs of AN.
Prediabetes means you have early signs but havent yet developed diabetes. If you have prediabetes, your provider will talk to you about steps to take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. And if you do have diabetes, you and your provider can discuss treatment options.
What Kind Of Doctors Treat Hormonal Imbalances
Primary healthcare providers can diagnose and help you manage many hormonal imbalances, but you may benefit from seeing an endocrinologist.
An endocrinologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in endocrinology, a field of medicine that studies conditions related to your hormones. They can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment and management plans and prescribe medication.
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What Medication Can Treat Hormone Imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers that are transported round the body and control many bodily functions. The hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are particularly active during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. During these stages, it is possible that too much or lack of a certain hormone is released. This can have surprising and distressing effects on the body. Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be psychological or physical, and include hot flashes, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido, among others.
There are three principal medicines to treat hormone imbalance, and to relieve these symptoms. These are hormone replacement therapy , bioidentical hormone replacement therapy , and alternative medication. Read on to learn more about treatments for hormone imbalance, how they work, and the risks and benefits associated with each one.
Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Anxiety
Yes, certain hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety, including:
- Hyperthyroidism: If you have hyperthyroidism, it means your body has too much thyroid hormone. Excess thyroid hormone speeds up your metabolism. This can cause anxiety, in addition to unusual nervousness, restlessness and irritability.
- Cushings syndrome: While its not as common of a symptom, Cushings syndrome can cause anxiety, as well as depression and irritability.
- Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency: Adults with growth hormone deficiency often report having anxiety and/or depression.
Several other conditions and factors can cause anxiety. Its important to talk to your healthcare provider if youre experiencing anxiety.
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Rebalancing Your Hormones Starts Now
If you think you may be experiencing a hormone imbalance, take our Symptom Checker quiz to help interpret what your symptoms are telling you. If your hormones are imbalanced, the first step is to ramp up the support you give your body. Our effective natural solutions for hormone imbalance include plant-based supplementation and nutrition and lifestyle changes. Together, these steps can resolve the root cause of your symptoms.
Our approach to hormonal imbalance is comprehensive and works with your body to gently restore balance. Weve developed Hormonal Health Programs that include our exclusive Herbal Equilibrium phytotherapeutic complex to ease symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Weve worked with tens of thousands of women to help them find the symptom relief they need to get back to their lives and have a little more fun every day. See the difference we can make in your life.
References
Hormone Imbalance Resulting From Thyroid Gland Dysfunction
Thyroid gland mainly controls the metabolic functions of the body. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are TSH, T3 and T4. Imbalance of these hormones results in either of the two conditions hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism . Hypothyroidism mainly results in slowing of all bodily metabolic functions. While in hyperthyroidism, the metabolic functions are accelerated. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, chilly feeling, constipation, heavy periods among women, feeling of fatigue and slowness/sluggishness. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include heated feeling, weight loss, hand tremors, restlessness, irritable mood, tiredness, palpitations, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, scanty periods in women and protruding eyeballs.
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Improve Your Liver Health:
Every hormone in the body is made from fats and proteins assimilated and released by the liver. When the liver gets bogged down with medications, toxins, debris and other metabolic waste it cannot keep up with the production and elimination of the hormones in the body. This lack of detoxification and formation of hormones results in hormonal imbalances. Enhancing liver health is vital in many cases to correct hormonal imbalances. This is done by improving the levels of nutrients that help with detoxification and the formation of hormones.
The liver uses a process called methylation to eliminate metabolized hormones from the body. Poor methylation can lead to increased levels of estrogen and is a sign of reduced detoxification capacity. Methylation also plays a role in the production of antioxidants, production of neurotransmitters, , and melatonin . You will notice in the patients test results below, compromised methylation
One study performed by the JNCI of Monographs published, The tissues of women with breast cancer may have 10 to 50 times the level of plasma concentration of estrogen. This suggests estrogens are not properly detoxified, and therefore, accumulate in the breast tissue. These levels will increase the risk of breast cancer. There are hundreds of articles that illustrate that cancer can be caused by estrogen, but this study points to the fact that estrogen causes cancer if it is not properly detoxified.
The Best Supplements To Balance Hormones
#1 Probiotics for Mood and Gut Health
Probiotics can do more than improve your gut health. They also may indirectly enhance your brain, too. Research shows that the gut and brain are connected, a partnership called the gut-brain axis.
Probiotics have become increasingly popular in recent years. You might already eat a lot of probiotic foods, such as yogurt or kimchi, or take a daily probiotic supplement to reap their potential benefits.
Gut bacteria are key players in your mood and mental health. They can relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, but they might also make them worse.
How to Take Probiotics
For best results, take probiotic supplements with meals. When you are selecting a probiotic supplement, choose one with a diverse range of bacteria, a high number of colony-forming units , and also be sure that its either been refrigerated or is guaranteed to be stable at room temperature.
#2 Magnesium for Cramps and Stress Management
When your body does not have enough Magnesium then systemic inflammation occurs. This can result in fatigue, headaches/migraines, aches, and pains.
Magnesium helps keep adrenal stress hormones under control too. This is a big deal, as stress hormones throw everything off whack!
In fact, I find it so helpful for pain management that I also use it as salt in baths and as a spray on my abdomen to reduce cramping.
How to take magnesium
#3 Dong Quai for menstrual cramps and PMS
How to take Dong Quai
#4 Maca for Balancing Hormones
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Chinese Medicine And Hormone Imbalances
In Chinese medicine, hormone balances are treated differently. Instead of replacing your hormones, Chinese herbs for hormone balance encourage the body to continue making the right amount of hormones so you get back to balance naturally. They can also manage the hormone levels that your body produces, so you settle into a new, healthy balance after a big transition .
Chinese medicine also takes an individualized approach to hormone balance. Different herbal formulas or acupuncture points will be used to balance out different types of hormone imbalances and the accompanying symptoms.
What Causes A Hormone Imbalance
There are many things that can disrupt the body and lead to a hormone imbalance. The longer your hormone levels are out of balance, the more difficult it is to rebalance your hormones. Finding the root cause of your hormone imbalance is key. Some of the common causes of a hormone imbalance include chronic stress, a poor diet, exposure to endocrine disruptors, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
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Fertility Problems Caused By Hormone Imbalances
Another common time women ask for a hormone checkup is when trying to conceive. Typically, 84% of women get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. When conception doesnt happen, one reason could be a hormonal imbalance. To learn more, read our extensive article about fertility challenges here.
Again, its important to track your menstrual cycle, including the dates you have unprotected sex, to give your doctor a picture of what your reproductive cycle is doing. Keep in mind that your partner should also be tested for structural or hormonal issues if you have been trying to conceive for some time.
If youre having your period too often , then your uterus cant sustain a fertilized egg. If your periods are too far apart , your ovaries may not be releasing eggs often enough into your fallopian tubes.
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Exercise For Hormonal Balance
The best types of exercise for hormonal support are those that energize the body and work muscles at a more moderate level. Exercising at too high an intensity can trigger excess cortisol production, worsening adrenal hormone imbalances. Moderate hormone-balancing exercises to try include:
Walking
As simple as it gets, going for a brisk 20-30 minute walk on most days of the week is a cardio workout that relieves stress, gently works your muscles and lifts your aerobic output. You can walk indoors on a treadmill, but try to get outside. Sunshines added Vitamin D boost helps your body maintain hormonal balance.
Yoga
Practicing yoga helps to calm your mind and reduce cortisol. Its also a great whole body exercise for core muscle toning and balance. Struggling with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms? These yoga for menopause symptom relief poses.
Swimming and water aerobics
If your knees and other joints tend to hurt during exercise, try swimming and water aerobics. The buoyancy of water takes pressure off your joints, giving you the ability to exercise without pain. Plus, the added resistance of water gives your workout more muscle-strengthening power.
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