What Are The Postmenopause Symptoms
The official indicator or symptom of postmenopause in women is going a full year without a menstrual cycle. Other postmenopause symptoms include changes in sex drive, headaches, difficulty concentrating, hair loss, weight gain, racing heart, difficulty sleeping, and numerous changes emotionally, which can seriously affect everyday life.
Hormone Problems That Start In The Brain
The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain that lies near the pituitary gland. It helps regulate hormone secretion in various parts of the body, controlling functions like body temperature, mood, hunger, thirst, sleep, fatigue, sex drive, and circadian rhythms. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus may produce many symptoms depending on which hormone systems are affected. Supplementing hormone levels that are low may help relieve symptoms. If the hypothalamus is malfunctioning due to the presence of a tumor, treating the tumor may provide relief.
Mental Symptoms Of Hormone Imbalance
The mental symptoms of hormone imbalance are inconvenient and frustrating, regardless of whether they are mild, moderate, or severe. Hormones regulate the processes within the body, including those in the brain, and even the slightest abnormality can have serious effects on our mental health. The mental symptoms of hormone imbalance include irritability and anxiousness, low mood, mood swings, mental fogginess, and more. Mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing and ignoring these symptoms may worsen the problem.*
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Choosing Birth Control May Be A Trial And Error Process Expert Says
Everyone will have different preferences when it comes to birth control and the effects will vary based on the individual. Thats why Valleé says its important to speak with your doctor about the various options available to you.
“There’s no one birth control good for everyone, it really depends on individualized counselling,” she adds.
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What Are The Most Common Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms In Women
Female adrenal fatigue symptoms can present differently from person to person. However, some of the most common symptoms include extreme difficulty waking up in the morning, high levels of exhaustion throughout the day, very low tolerance for any stress, uncontrollable cravings for salty foods, and a weakened immune system. Biotes Method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may help relieve female adrenal fatigue symptoms. Other common adrenal fatigue symptoms in women include anxiousness, low sex drive, weight gain, poor circulation, low mood, dark circles under the eyes, respiratory complaints, and low blood pressure.*
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What Are The Possible Causes Of Hormone Imbalances
There are many reasons you might be experiencing a hormone imbalance. From mostly harmless to serious conditions, these causes vary wildly. Some of these causes include medications cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and others tumors both benign and malignant pituitary tumors eating disorders stress injury or trauma. Women might also experience a hormone imbalance caused by menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, pregnancy, PCOS, hormone drugs, and breastfeeding.
How To Treat Hormonal Imbalance
- Healthy diet: Make sure to eat a proper nourishing diet that meets all the requirements of the body. Increase the intake of fiber, minerals, and vitamins with fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, and grains.
- Exercise: It is important to work out and exercise daily, even if for 30 minutes. Make sure to go for a small jog or walk, swimming, or cycling that will help boost metabolism and other functions of the body.
- Quit smoking and alcohol: Both smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol are bad for both physical and mental health.
- Meditation: It is very important to do some meditation daily to calm the mind and body. Practice some yoga asanas or play some brain-stimulating games that help in balancing the hormones.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet. LIVE
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Hormone Imbalance: What Are The Symptoms And Treatments
When youre browsing social media or watching TV, you may have come across ads telling you to ask your doctor to check your hormones as the first step toward diagnosing and relieving a troublesome set of symptoms. Its true that hormone imbalances can be associated with many problems, such as period problems, unwanted hair growth, fertility struggles, weight gain, and even difficulty sleeping. You should absolutely talk to your doctor about these things. But you may be surprised when your doctor tells you that they cant just give you a hormone check.
A hormone check sounds simpleafter all, we check cholesterol to get a handle on our heart health. However, your doctor cant just give you a hormone test because a single test to check all your hormones doesnt exist.
So if there isnt a simple hormone test, how does your doctor discover hormone imbalances? And how can you learn what could be causing your symptoms?
Lets look at problems caused by hormone imbalances and how your doctor could potentially determine which hormones may be responsible for your symptoms.
The Major Effects Hormonal Imbalance Can Have On Your Well
Are you having tummy troubles lately? Maybe youre struggling to sleep, or you regularly forget where you last put your purse. Your hormones may be to blame.
Hormones act as chemical messengers in your body. Theyre powerful chemicals that are produced in your endocrine glands and travel around the bloodstream telling your organs what to do. In fact, hormones control the bodys major processes, including reproduction and metabolism.
If you suffer a hormonal imbalance, you likely have too much or too little of a hormone. Even the smallest fluctuations can have serious effects on your well-being.
While its normal for some hormones to fluctuate throughout your life, other changes occur when something isnt right with your endocrine glands, and an imbalance can affect your overall health and wellness.
Here are 5 things that happen when your hormones are imbalanced.
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Signs You Have A Hormonal Imbalance And What You Can Do About It
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
We ladies know the trouble, stress, and frustration that hormonal imbalances can cause us. When hormones fluctuate, we can feel angry, emotional, tired, moody, and suffer the embarrassment from an outbreak of acne. However, no matter what our partners say, hormonal balance is key to our general health and not just a lame excuse for mood swings and feeling off color.
In fact, the signs of hormonal imbalances dont just affect our mood and emotions. Our hormones also directly affect our chances of becoming pregnant and can also affect ovulation and sexual desire.
In this article, you will learn about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and the reasons why your bodys natural chemistry is constantly changing. First of all, lets look at why its important to have your hormones in balance.
Muscle Weakness And Joint Pain
If you feel like it takes extra effort to move your body, or your joints are stiff and uncomfortable, this may be a symptom of hormonal imbalance. There are several different hormones that contribute to the strength of your musclesthink estrogen, testosterone, even your thyroid hormoneand could be behind your muscle weakness. Declines in both estrogen and testosterone have been associated with loss of strength, and muscle weakness and stiffness are often signs of a thyroid disorder, due the thyroids role in breaking glycogen into glucose, a main source of energy for your muscles.
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Common Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms In Females
Hormonal dysregulation can lead to emotional problems, says Dr. Salinger. Unfortunately, it also works the other way around. Hormone imbalance can lead to stress, and stress can lead to hormone imbalance, he says.
In those with underlying depression or anxiety, hormonal dysregulation can worsen emotional issues like irritability, depression and anxiety, Dr. Goddard says.
Symptoms of hormone dysregulation can include:
- Depressed mood
- Hot flashes, night sweats
Hormonal Birth Control Includes Some Lesser
Though the contraceptive is one of the most common prescription medications, relatively little is known about its effects on womens behavior, emotional regulation and cognitive abilities.
ThoughtsxAugust 9, 2022
Illustration by Tiphany Jackson, University of the Arts
In the United States, hormonal birth control is one of the most prevalent prescription medications. Between 2015 and 2017, 46.9 million women in the United States reported having used birth control, accounting for 64.9% of women aged 15 to 49. As one of the most common low-risk medications, hormonal birth control is usually prescribed to patients readily, and oftentimes, without proper consultation.
Although birth control is considered to be one of the safest medications, the impact of hormonal contraception on womens behavior, emotional regulation and cognitive abilities remains understudied. For the majority of women, hormonal birth control has no significant impact on brain functioning. However, some preliminary research indicates that birth control may bring about a variety of undesirable side effects in some women. Several studies have revealed that birth control may increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety in some individuals and that it contributes to mood changes and emotional instability in others.
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What Is A Hormone Imbalance In Women
In women, a hormone imbalance can occur anytime there is too much or too little of a particular hormone. This shift in hormones levels can cause unwanted side effects and can be brought on by various factors, both internal and external. Patients can determine if they have a hormone imbalance through a simple blood test and lab work that measure a patients current hormone levels.
What Influences Appetite And Weight
When Estrogen Drops, Hunger Increases
Fluctuating hormones, including a decrease in estrogen levels during a woman’s monthly cycle, may trigger mood changes in some women. Some females may reach for comfort foods that are high in fat, calories, sugar, and salt in an effort to feel better. Sadly, eating these foods backfires and makes women feel worse. Sodium increases water retention and bloating. Sugar, excess fat and calories will lead you to pack on the pounds. Falling estrogen levels also affect leptin, a hormone that inhibits hunger. Combat hormonal weight gain by adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan. Stick to lean meats, healthy fats, complex carbs, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent PMS and encourage healthy blood sugar levels and weight loss.
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Changes In Weight Distribution
As estrogen levels decrease in women who are postmenopausal, they may notice they gain more weight around the abdomen and arms. This central obesity, as it is known, is dangerous because it increases a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease. In one study, postmenopausal women who received hormone therapy did not experience weight gain in the trunk and arm areas compared to women who did not take HT. Women treated with hormones gained an insignificant amount of weight during the study in their legs. This pattern of fat distribution is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The treated women had better bone mineral density compared to those who did not receive hormone therapy, too. Talk to your doctor if you notice you’re gaining more weight around your middle. Hormone therapy, if it’s appropriate and safe for you, may help.
What Are The Treatment Options
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most common treatments of low hormone levels.
For people experiencing menopause, premature menopause, or primary ovarian insufficiency as well as after oophorectomy or chemotherapy estrogen therapy can offer some relief. Estrogen therapy alone is recommended for those who have had a hysterectomy. You can take estrogen in different forms, generally estrogen pills and estrogen patches.
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Mental Symptoms In Women With Hormone Imbalance
The mental symptoms of hormone imbalance can be frustrating and difficult to manage. Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system. Hormone imbalances happen when one of these glands is not functioning optimally and releases too much or too little of a hormone into the bloodstream. Because of the important role hormones play in regulating bodily functions, even a tiny hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc throughout the body. Keep reading to learn more about the mental symptoms of a hormone imbalance.*
The Dangers Of Untreated Hormonal Imbalance
Statistics show that hormonal imbalances, especially in women, are much more common than thought previously. You might not be able to see a hormonal imbalance, but its effects can present themselves in all aspects of your life and, left untreated, can be dangerous or even life-threatening. So with the prevalence of a hormone imbalance being so high, why dont more of us seek medical treatment? First, it helps to know what a hormone does, and why left untreated, it can be dangerous.
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Symptoms Of Vaginal Atrophy
While vaginal atrophy is common, only 20 to 25 percent of symptomatic women seek medical attention from their doctor.
In some women, symptoms occur during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause. In other women, symptoms may not appear until years later, if ever.
Symptoms can include:
The cause of atrophic vaginitis is a decline in estrogen. Without estrogen, vaginal tissue thins and dries out. It becomes less elastic, more fragile, and more easily injured.
A decline in estrogen can occur at other times besides menopause, including:
- during breastfeeding
- after removal of ovaries
- after chemotherapy for treatment of cancer
- after pelvic radiation therapy for treatment of cancer
- after hormonal therapy for treatment of breast cancer
Regular sexual activity helps keep vaginal tissues healthy. A healthy sex life also benefits the circulatory system and improves heart health.
What Are The Kinds Of Thyroid Disorders
There are several kinds of thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, and thyroid nodules. The most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. It can arise from issues within any part of the thyroid feedback loop, including the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.
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How Do These Herbs Work To Balance Hormones
Chasteberry is a key ingredient in our Happy Hormones formula. Chasteberry, also known as vitex, is a supreme hormonal tonic for women. Both extensive clinical studies, as well as over two thousand years of use in folk medicine, have proven the effectiveness of this remedy.
It works by stimulating and normalizing the hypothalamic/pituitary glands, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It does this by increasing secretion of LH and decreasing FSH . This can restore gonadotropin levels to youthful levels.
Shatvari herb acts as a potent adaptogenic herb that helps to regulate the endocrine system, enhance immunity, and helps the body cope with physical and emotional stress. Adaptogens work at a molecular level by regulating a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glandsall of which are involved in the stress response. Essentially, they work by hacking the stress response in the body.
These key herbs, along with the other medicinal herbs in this formula, combine to form a unique supplement for restoring balance to hormones. This product is exclusively for womens hormones, and is not recommended for men, as men and women have different hormones. To take, simply mix 1-2 servings in a glass of water, tea, or drink of choice and take up to twice per day.
How Is A Hormone Imbalance Diagnosed
Diagnosis for a hormone imbalance typically begins with a physical exam at your doctors office. During this exam, your doctor will ask you to describe any symptoms that you are experiencing and when these symptoms tend to occur.Your doctor will likely also want to know about any recent changes to your:Diet or exercise regimeSleeping patternsMoodBased on your individual symptoms and situation, your doctor may want to run further testing to assess your hormone levels and overall health. This could include any of the following: a blood test, pelvic exam, ultrasound, thyroid scan, MRI, x-ray, and/or biopsy.
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Thyroid: The Mood & Energy Regulator
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your lower neck that plays a powerful role in keeping your brain and body healthy. This gland regulates how your body uses energy, and it also has a strong impact on the brain because it controls the production of many neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Problems occur when thyroid dysfunction causes the gland to produce too little hormone or too much hormone .
Hypothyroidism: Brain SPECT scans of people with hypothyroidism show overall decreased brain activity, which often leads to depression, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and brain fog.
Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid produces too much hormone, making everything in your body work too fast. It can feel like youre in hyper-driveyou feel jittery and edgy, as though youve had way too much caffeine.
Common Symptoms of Thyroid Dysfunction
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance After A Hysterectomy
After a hysterectomy, a woman will immediately feel the full effects of menopause, meaning that she may be faced with a severe hormonal imbalance. This is rarely a comfortable transition for women, and it can have extreme physical and emotional side-effects. The effects of sudden menopause and recovering from the surgery can be very challenging for women to get through on their own, and many will consider hormone replacement therapy to make the transition more tolerable.*
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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.