Surprising Signs And Symptoms Of Hormone Imbalance
Did you know the human body contains almost 50 different hormones? Some hormones that may be familiar include estrogen, insulin and cortisol. However, there are lesser-known hormones such as prostaglandins, which aids tissue repair. All these hormones together regulate many parts of the body, including reproduction, growth and mood. While some symptoms of a hormone imbalance are well-known, there are some signs that may surprise you. Keep reading to learn more about some surprising hormonal symptoms.
What Causes Hormone Imbalance In Men
Many factors can contribute to hormone imbalance in men. In some cases, hormone imbalance is a known side effect of certain medications or medical treatments like chemotherapy. In other cases, hormone imbalance is the result of an underlying condition.
Stress, eating disorders, major illness, and injury recovery can contribute to hormonal imbalance. In many cases, conditions like diabetes, thyroid health conditions, adrenal disorders, and hypogonadism can cause significant hormonal imbalance.
If youre currently being treated for a condition that is known to contribute to hormone imbalance and you believe you may be experiencing hormone imbalance, speak to your doctor. Its likely your doctor is familiar with the situation and will be able to provide you with adequate support.
Get Enough Protein With A Meal
If you plan to balance your hormones, you must have an ideal protein diet. If you dont eat well, you cant have a nice day at the job, and youll discover that you have no energy.
Current dietary guidelines for protein focus on 0.8 g / kg complete body weight daily intake, however, a fresh study has shown that the best protein per meal is 20-30 grams per meal to maintain the balance of your hormonal system.
Research has also shown that eating protein lowers ghrelin concentrations and stimulates hormone output that helps you to feel complete, including PYY and GLP-1.
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How To Balance Hormones Causing Irregular Periods
While there are lifestyle changes you can make that can help regulate your hormones, its best to see a doctor if youre having symptoms of hormone imbalance or if your periods are irregular.
They will be able to monitor hormone levels and make sure theyre where they need to be. They can also determine whether or not treatments are working.
Depending on the underlying cause of the hormone imbalance or which hormones are irregular, other treatments might also be used.
Do High Testosterone Levels Increase The Risk Of Prostate Cancer
No. As of the time of this writing, the scientific literature does not support an association between high testosterone levels and an increased risk of prostate cancer. However, the use of testosterone restoration by men at high risk for, or who have or have had, prostate cancer remains very controversial. All men should discuss the risks and benefits of testosterone restoration with a qualified healthcare provider before initiating testosterone treatment, including with respect to prostate health.
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Are Hormone Imbalances Linked To Chronic Diseases
As mentioned, hormones affect the body in all sorts of ways, and as a result, there are also a number of health conditions associated with hormone imbalances in men, such as:
- Thyroid disorders including myxedema, adenoma, Graveâs disease, Hashimotoâs disease, and cretinism
- Digestion-related disorders including celiac disease, allergies, yeast overgrowth, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Adrenal-related disorders including chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal fatigue, or Addisonâs disease
- Hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes and
- Other conditions such as chronic viral infections, cardiovascular disease, migraines, autoimmune diseases, insomnia, and cancer.
How Bhrt May Help Relieve Thyroid Symptoms
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is the practice of using bioidentical hormones to supplement low hormone levels or balance high hormone levels in the body. Biote Certified Providers offer hormone replacement therapy to those experiencing thyroid symptoms to help them regain emotional and physical balance.*
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Sleep More: Your Harmons Need Rest
Getting the required amount of sleep helps put your body in rhythm and regulate hormones. Sleep is particularly more important for men because their body boosts testosterone production during REM.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults should sleep 7 or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health. The above mentioned lifestyle modifications should help a great deal in naturally toning up your hormones. You may also need simultaneous medical assistance to completely regulate your hormones.
Causes Of Male Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can happen to any man at any time. Everyone experiences a natural period of hormonal fluctuation at some point in their lives. But if the body doesnt regulate itself back to normal, something is probably to blame.
For example, hormonal imbalances can occur if your endocrine glands are malfunctioning. Thats because the endocrine glands produce, store, and release hormones into the blood. There are 8 endocrine glands located throughout the body:
Several medical conditions can impact the endocrine glands. In addition, certain lifestyle habits and environmental factors will do the same.
The following causes fall into this category:
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Poor diet or nutrition
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Supplements Can Give A Helping Hand
Some supplements containing DIM may help modulate estrogen levels in the body. DIM is a natural substance found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage.
If youre curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.
Yours in Health,
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Natural Remedies And Supplements
Many nutritional supplements on the market claim to treat menopause and hormonal imbalance. However, few of them are backed up by scientific evidence.
Many of these supplements contain plant-derived hormones. These are sometimes called bioidentical hormones, because they chemically resemble the bodys natural hormones. Theres no evidence to suggest that they work better than regular hormone therapy, however.
Some people find that yoga helps ease symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Yoga is excellent for your strength, flexibility, and balance. It may also aid in weight loss, which can help regulate your hormones.
You can also make the following lifestyle changes:
- Lose weight. If your doctor has recommended it, a reduction in body weight may help regulate menstrual cycles and increase the chances of getting pregnant. Weight loss may also help improve erectile function.
- Eat well. A balanced diet is an important part of overall health.
- Use lubes or moisturizers free of parabens, glycerin, and petroleum.
- Avoid hot flash triggers when possible. Try to identify things that commonly trigger your hot flashes, such as warm temperatures, spicy foods, or hot beverages.
- Remove unwanted hair. If you have excess facial or body hair, you can use hair removal cream, laser hair removal, or electrolysis.
The primary cause of acne is excess oil production, which leads to clogged pores. Acne is most common in areas with many oil glands, including the:
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Supplements To Increase Testosterone
Test Worx this helps to boost testosterone and lower SHBG which leads to a boost in free testosterone
Nitric Oxide booster the nitric oxide boost can help with muscle growth, and for guys with performance problems can help to increase blood flow to improve erections.
DHT Block to improve the metabolism of testosterone, this can help prevent acne, hair loss, prostate cancer and mood swings
How To Test Your Hormones
Hormones can be tested in blood, urine or saliva and I prefer to use urine testing as it measures the free bioavailable hormones plus the levels of adrenal hormones throughout the day .
Saliva testing is the cheaper option and is easy to do at home without going to a lab or having to visit a doctor, and for some people this will be the best option. I recommend a combination of adrenal and sex hormone testing, this test measures 4 different samples throughout the day to identify the natural diurnal rhythm of cortisol and the best option for this is the DUTCH Hormone Test, if you would like to find out more information then read the DUTCH hormone test review.
Noteworthy: Urine testing is also an easy option to do at home, it is more expensive but goes into more detail about the hormones and the hormone metabolites and this is my preferred option for testing hormones.
This extra information tells us about the precursors to the hormones which can help to identify the cause of the hormone imbalance.
This test is called the DUTCH hormone test and it stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.
It gives us your levels of free testosterone, and also the metabolites of testosterone which show if your metabolizing testosterone down the 5b-DHT pathway or the more potent 5a-DHT pathway.
Once the results are in we can go through them via video consultation or phone and work out a treatment plan to optimize your results.
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How Testosterone And Covid
A hormonal imbalance is when the body has too much or too little of the major hormones. Hormones are chemicals the endocrine system produces to regulate functions throughout the body. In particular, they are responsible for:
- Growth and development
- Metabolism, including body temperature and appetite
- Mood and stress levels
- Reproductive cycles and sexual functioning
There are three hormones primarily responsible for imbalances in men:
- Testosterone: Low testosterone levels can cause andropause, which is commonly known as male menopause.
- Cortisol: Low levels of cortisol can cause adrenal fatigue, especially if a man is exposed to long-term stressors.
- Thyroid hormones: Low levels, or hypothyroidism, may lead to a decrease in metabolism conversely, hyperthyroidism, or too-high levels of thyroid hormones, can result in increased metabolism.
What You Need To Do
If you are struggling with hormonal-related symptoms and are looking to get pregnant, there are some action items you should make ASAP!
Step 1
Make the right diet and lifestyle changes to stabilize your hormones and blood sugar for success.
Step 2
Avoid common toxins that may come from pesticides in your food and chemicals in your makeups and hygiene products. The toxins in these products are xenoestrogens in nature and can mimic the hormone estrogen. Most women are already in a state of estrogen dominance, and this bombardment off additional synthetic estrogen only makes the problem worse.
Step 3
Get assessed! If you are not assessing, you are guessing! If you are having hormonal issues and you want to get pregnant, you need to see where the root of your hormonal issues are coming from.
Are the hormonal imbalances coming from a thyroid issue, adrenal issue, female hormone issue, or chronic infection? It may even be a combination of all of them like I see with most patients.
Step 4
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What Causes Hormonal Imbalance In Men And Women
What causes hormonal imbalance in men and women? Some of the causes of hormonal imbalance are stress, eating disorders, cancers treatments such as chemotherapy, pituitary disorders, cancerous or benign tumors.
Hormonal imbalance is such an important part of your overall health whether you are a male or a female. It is important to know that many of the hormonal imbalance conditions can easily be treated. Hormonal balances will always fluctuate over time especially through aging naturally.
What causes hormonal imbalance in men and women? Photo credit: iStock- TarikVision
Other health conditions that can cause hormonal imbalances are:
- Addisons disease
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- Hypothyroidism which is an underactive thyroid
- Hyperthyroidism which is an active thyroid
- Hormone medications such as birth control pills
The common hormonal conditions that affect people of all genders can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain, stiffness and swelling in joints
- Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
- Constipation or frequent bowel movements
Here are some hormonal tests you can do to detect your hormonal levels:
Some of the treatment options for hormonal treatment are:
Some of the lifestyle changes you can do to help balance your hormones are:
Losing weight can help improve erectile dysfunction and regulate menstrual cycles. Celebrity Fitness & Nutrition Expert Obi Obadike
References
What Is The Thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that regulates many different metabolic processes throughout the body. The thyroid is just below the Adams apple and wraps around the trachea. Thyroid disorders affect the structure and function of the gland and can create thyroid symptoms. These disorders can be acute or chronic.*
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How Can We Help
Our hormone doctors have extensive experience treating thousands of patients with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy with great results.
The initial consultation includes an in-depth analysis of your symptoms and a comprehensive review of your medical history. We utilize some specialized testing to determine your bodys natural hormone levels and set a baseline for hormonal imbalance treatment.
Based on your test results and medical history, your hormone specialist will create a personalized treatment plan. This strategy may include some lifestyle changes that could negatively impact your hormone balancing.
As part of the process, the integrative physician will focus on finding the root cause of your hormonal imbalance. They will partner with you through your journey to health and wellness.
References and Recommended books on Natural Hormones:
Women: Look Younger Feel Stronger, and Live Life with Exuberance, by Uzzi Reiss, MD
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by John R, Lee, MD, Virginia Hopkins
How To Begin Hormone Imbalance Treatment
Elite ERT is composed of a team of telemedical professionals. We simplify the process of obtaining hormone replacement therapy.
After a medical consultation, well arrange necessary tests in your local area. After our doctors review the results, youll be prescribed a treatment plan if appropriate. Easy just as it should be.
Schedule an appointment for a hormone test to begin the process. Rebalance your hormones and reclaim your life.
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What Is The Role Of Hormones
Hormones are known as the bodys chemical messengers because they regulate quite a lot of functions in the body. Some of these functions include:
- Rate of heartbeat
- Growth and development
- Body temperature
Hormones can affect men and women almost equally, however, certain hormones are produced only during certain events and in certain sex. For example, the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is produced by women and is secreted only during pregnancy.
Exercise Especially Strength Training
Moderate exercise stimulates libido and encourages normal testosterone. Plus, lean muscle mass promotes healthy testosterone production as well.
Moderate exercise is usually defined as anything that brings your heart rate to 50-70% of your maximum. An easy way to calculate your max heart rate is about 180 minus your age, plus or minus 5 for varying fitness levels.
Exercise alone wont balance hormones, but it will help to improve other markers of hormone balance, including body fat & weight, insulin, and stress. Regular exercise is one of the most influential ways you can improve your health and promote better fertility.
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What Are Some Self
Many sufferers of male metabolic syndrome symptoms have difficulty adapting their lifestyles to fight their condition. The recommended self-care of metabolic syndrome symptoms can involve physical exercise, dietary modification, blood glucose monitoring, quitting smoking, and anti-diabetic medication. If these remedies are not enough, Biotes Method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, may help alleviate some metabolic syndrome symptoms in men.*
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances
Throughout your life and even throughout the day your hormone levels naturally rise and fall.
Certain periods of life cause more dramatic changes and fluctuations in hormones, including:
However, there are several other reasons why your hormone levels may be irregular at unexpected times. Some of the most common causes of fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels include:
- Certain medications.
These hormonal imbalances are more likely to be temporary or fixable with a change in medication or properly managing stress.
Chronic hormone-related conditions can have several different possible causes. In general, the main conditions or situations that cause medically significant hormone imbalances include:
Tumors, adenomas and growths
Any kind of growth on a gland or organ that produces hormones, such as a tumor, adenoma or nodule, could affect its ability to do so.
Tumors
Rare endocrine tumors form in glands or in cells that produce hormones and can cause hormone imbalances. Some of the rare endocrine tumors include:
Adenomas
An adenoma is a benign tumor. Many adenomas are nonfunctioning, meaning they dont produce hormones. But some can produce excess hormones. These are called functioning adenomas. Adenomas that affect your endocrine system and cause hormone imbalances include:
Other growths
Damage or injury to an endocrine gland
Autoimmune conditions
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Hormonal Imbalance And Weight Gain
Hormones play an integral role in metabolism and your bodys ability to use energy. Hormone conditions, such as Cushing syndrome, can cause you to become overweight or develop obesity.
People with Cushing syndrome have high levels of cortisol in their blood. This leads to an increase in appetite and fat storage.
Hypothyroidism, if the condition is severe, can also lead to weight gain.
Slight hormone imbalances can happen during menopause. During this transition, many people gain weight because their metabolisms slow down. You may find that even though youre eating and exercising like you usually do, you still gain weight.
The only way to treat weight gain from a hormone disorder is to treat the underlying condition.
During a typical pregnancy, your body goes through major hormonal changes. This is different from a hormonal imbalance.