What Are Symptoms Of High Estrogen
Too much estrogen in women may result in breast lumps, fatigue, feeling depressed or anxious, reduced sex drive and/or weight gain. With men, high estrogen can produce enlarged pectorals, infertility and/or a reduced sex drive. High levels of estrogen could be the result of a temporary, natural fluctuation of your hormones or a response to medication, such as contraceptives or certain antibiotics.
Cortisol Estrogen Insulin Progesterone And Testosterone Imblances
The endocrine system secretes 50 different hormones throughout your body and each plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, or stable body functions.
Due to the integral role of each hormone, its no surprise that a slight imbalance of one hormone could be the catalyst of your nagging headache, unpredictable mood swings, increased sweating or weight gain.
The following are five hormones and the most common imbalances in both men and women.
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.
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Board Certified Obstetrics & Gynecologist Located In Rancho Bernardo Poway Ca
Do you feel irritable and bloated before your period? Do you have irregular periods with weight gain? If so, you may have a hormone imbalance. At Obstetrics & Gynecology Li Fan MD, INC in Rancho Bernardo, Poway, California, Li Fan, MD provides innovative diagnostic and treatment options to make the exact diagnosis and start you on your treatment plan. Schedule an appointment online or by phone to learn more about diagnosing and treating hormone imbalance.
Lifestyle For A Lifetime
The most effective alternative to hormone therapy, however, doesnt come in a bottle. Physicians say that preventing heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer often boils down to lifestyle, one that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet. A diet high in calcium along with weight-bearing exercise bolsters bones. Avoiding high-fat foods and participating in regular aerobic exercise keeps the heart healthy.
These habits can prevent the diseases studies have proven it over and over again. Consider it, Greenwood advises. Those things are so much more effective than any pill you can put in your mouth.
Nelson Watts, MD, director of the Osteoporosis and Bone Health Program at The Emory Clinic in Atlanta, and principal investigator at the Atlanta site of the Womens Health Initiative, offers a word of caution. Often, diet and exercise are not enough by themselves. he tells WebMD. A woman needs to first talk with her doctor about what symptoms she wants to relieve, and look at the treatment options.
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Causes For Hormonal Imbalance In Women
- Chronic or extreme stress
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Hormone therapy
- Hormone drugs such as birth control pills
- Abuse of anabolic steroid medications
- Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
- Tumors, whether cancerous or benign in the glands
- Cysts in these glands
- Eating disorders such as Anorexia
- Injury or trauma to the glands
- Diabetes insipidus
- Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis
- Hypogonadism shrunken or under-developed testes in men, ovaries in women
- Primary ovarian insufficiency, which is also known as premature menopause
- Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS
- Blood sugar abnormalities such as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
- Cushings syndrome characterized by high levels of the hormone cortisol
- Addisons disease characterized by low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which causes low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
- Severe allergic reactions or infections
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Turner syndrome where the woman has only one functioning X chromosome
- Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes obesity, intellectual disability and shortness in height
- Phytoestrogens which are naturally-occurring plant estrogens found in soy products
- Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides
Taking Estrogen With A Progestin Vs Estrogen Alone
Treating menopausal symptoms with estrogen and progestin together is known as estrogen-progestin therapy or combined hormone therapy. Although estrogen alone improves the symptoms of menopause, it increases the risk of cancer of the uterus . Adding a progestin to the estrogen lowers the risk of endometrial cancer back to normal. Because of this, EPT is given to women who still have a uterus . EPT can be given 2 ways:
- Continuous EPT means the same dose of estrogen and progestin is taken each day. Women often prefer continuous EPT because it rarely leads to menstrual-like bleeding.
- Sequential EPT means different amounts of each hormone are taken on specific days. There are different ways to do this. For example, estrogen can be taken by itself for 14 days, then estrogen plus progestin for 11 days, then neither hormone for 3 to 5 days. Other schedules involve taking progestin only every few months. This lowers the amount of progestin that you are exposed to. Monthly regimens are also thought to result in hormone levels that are more like the natural menstrual cycle. Cyclical EPT can produce bleeding like a menstrual period, but it can occur less often than monthly.
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Supplements Are Here To Help
A healthy, balanced diet is often enough to manage almost anyones hormones. With todays diets, the right mix of nutrients is hard to come by. Thats why adding a supplement could be vital for hormone production. Supplements to consider include:
- Magnesium helps with testosterone, estrogen, and DHEA production.
- B vitamins are involved with everything including metabolism, mood, and much more.
- Vitamin D3 deficiencies may cause estrogen imbalance.
- Omega-3 fatty acids help produce hormones that cause blood clotting, inflammation, and reproduction.
- Iodine, which helps the thyroid with hormone production.
- Probiotics can also help. Gut health is vital for balanced hormones.
Supplements, in general, can improve hormone production but should be used under the recommendation of a nutritionist or doctor.
S To Balance Hormones Naturally
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Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your overall health.
Conventional treatments for hormonal imbalances typically include synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, insulin injections, thyroid medications and more. Unfortunately, for the majority of people suffering from hormonal disorders, relying on these types of synthetic treatments often does three things:
Is it possible to balance hormones naturally? The good news is: yes, in many cases it is. Below youll learn about some root causes of hormonal problems, as well as about treatment options to help you balance your hormones naturally.
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What Are The Causes Of Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance is common during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. Other causes of hormonal balance outside these transition periods may be:
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Thyroid disorders
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Dr. Fan performs a complete clinical examination and laboratory workup to arrive at a final diagnosis and tailor the treatment to restore balance.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance is a condition that occurs due to high or low levels of hormones in the bloodstream. When hormones are imbalanced, your entire body can be affected. Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands. Hormonal problems can be faced by male and females. Different factors are responsible for this and it can put several roadblocks in the realization of a healthy body and a healthy mind.
In women, hormone levels can fluctuate during puberty, menopause or perimenopause. A man can also experience hormonal imbalance when they go through the male menopause phase or when they experience age-related hormonal shift called andropause.
Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, insulin and adrenaline affect the proper functioning of our body. These hormones, secreted from different organs, work together to regulate the different processes in our body. Imbalance of even one hormone can cause a host of health issues. Imbalance of different hormones can cause different side effects.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About A Hormonal Imbalance
If youre experiencing new, persistent symptoms, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can order tests to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hormones are complex and powerful chemicals. If one or more of them goes out of whack, it can cause certain symptoms that make you feel like youre not in control of your body. If you have new and persistent symptoms, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can order some tests to see if a hormonal imbalance or another condition is the cause. The sooner you reach out for help and treatment, the sooner youll be able to feel like yourself again.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/04/2022.
References
Bioidentical Or Natural Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones.
Practitioners claim these hormones are a “natural” and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines.
However, bioidentical preparations are not recommended because:
- they are not regulated and it’s not clear how safe they are there’s no good evidence to suggest they’re safer than standard HRT
- it’s not known how effective they are in reducing menopausal symptoms
- the balance of hormones used in bioidentical preparations is usually based on the hormone levels in your saliva, but there’s no evidence that these levels are related to your symptoms
Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. A body identical hormone, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms.
Many standard HRT hormones are made from natural sources, but unlike bioidentical hormones, they’re closely regulated and have been well researched to ensure they’re as effective and safe as possible.
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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:
- Pregnancy.
- Menopause.
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.
- Steroid use.
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
How To Test Your Hormone Health
If you are concerned about your hormone health, you can have your hormone levels tested in the following ways:
- Saliva testing: Saliva testing measures your bodys hormones levels at the cellular level. A saliva test can measure your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and DHEA levels. When you provide and test multiple samples over time, your healthcare provider can formulate charting changes in hormones with saliva testing.
- Blood testing: This type of hormone test requires that your blood is collected at a lab and then measured for hormone levels. A blood test can measure free and total hormone levels, which saliva and urine testing cannot do.
- Urine testing: A urine hormone test requires that you collect every drop of urine for a 24-hour period. Then your urine is tested to identify each hormone that is present and at what levels on that particular day. This is the most extensive hormone health test because it measures your hormone levels throughout the entire day, instead of the levels for a moment in time, which is the case for blood and saliva tests.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone testing: This type of test is commonly used to measure the hormonal status of premenopausal women who are beginning to experience symptoms of menopause.
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What Are Symptoms Of Low Progesterone
Low progesterone levels in men may produce symptoms including bone loss, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, hair loss and/or weight gain. When women have low levels of progesterone, they may experience abnormal uterine bleeding, an irregular menstrual cycle, frequent miscarriages, pain during pregnancy, reduced sex drive and/or weight gain.
How To Preserve Hormonal Balance: A Guide For Women 30+ Over The Counter Hormone Balance
Hey there!
Have you been feeling off lately? Experiencing irregular durations, state of mind swings, or fatigue? You might be having problem with a hormonal imbalance. Over The Counter Hormone Balance
Do not worry. Youre not alone. 1 in 4 women will experience a hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives.
Fortunately is that there are things you can do to remedy a hormonal imbalance and feel like yourself once again. Keep reading for more information.
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Three Categories Of Symptoms Often Caused By Hormonal Imbalances
When we see patients at Madison Womens Health for hormonal imbalances, most of their symptoms and concerns fall into three categories:
Lets first discuss these groups of symptoms. Next, well cover the most common hormones your doctor may check based on your symptoms.
Cut Back On The Alcoholic Beverages
Ive often been told Im the bearer of bad news, but I promise that laying off the liquor will be a game changer.
A glass of alcohol is like consuming a handful of sugary cookies, just via another delivery method. It immediately hits your bloodstream, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller-coaster ride.
Alcohol also raises estrogen levels, because it creates a whole lot of extra work for your liver, so it cant effectively detox estrogen, which is one of its main jobs. This estrogen excess can trigger heavier, longer periods, breast pain, headaches, and raging PMS.
See the connection between what we eat and drink and our period problems?
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What Is Hormone Imbalance
Hormone imbalance means having too little or too much of a hormone. Its normal for hormone levels to fluctuate at different times in your life, or even at different times of the month, says Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click.
Its normal for hormone levels to fluctuate at different times in your life and the month.
But a hormone imbalance is usually associated with levels that are unusually high or low, which can have a negative impact on certain aspects of your health. A hormone imbalance can affect your weight, sleep and mood.
Low Testosterone And Hypogonadism
This is a hormonal condition that in males is caused by low levels of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is an important male sex hormone that influences the development of sex characteristics like body and facial hair. It also affects muscle development, sperm production, and sex drive.
If your testosterone levels are low, you may experience:
- A drop in your sex drive
- Poor erections
- A lower sperm count than normal
Over time, low levels can lead to more problems like weakened bones .
This hormone imbalance can have a number of causes, including:
- Injury or infection in your testicles
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Dont Be Out Of Balance
Hormones have a saw in almost every function, organ, and process in the body. When there is an imbalance, symptoms like weight changes, insomnia, skin problems, and infertility occur. Hormonal production relies heavily on nutritional intake, so taking supplements is an excellent way to ensure that the endocrine system is getting enough from the diet. Take action on these symptoms with a visit and full diagnostic from a doctor.
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:
- Neuropathy.
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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