Indications Of Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal disequilibrium emerges in myriad ways and affects everything from how often you eat to your emotional state. Even a slight shift can cause big symptoms.
Here are eight signs that point to hormonal imbalance. We hope the list can help you understand just how influential hormones are.
1. Weight fluctuations: Your thyroid controls how your body uses energy from the food you eat. When it goes out of whack, you can either lose or gain weight.
Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid is overactive and you may have trouble maintaining your weight, while hypothyroidism makes your thyroid sluggish, and you tend to put weight on, even when trying to lose it.
2. Skin woes: If your body makes too much of the male hormone androgen, your oil glands go into overdrive and you suffer acne breakouts. Conversely, lower estrogen levels in later life contribute to skin dryness and a loss of elasticity.
3. Lowered libido: If your testosterone levels are lower than they should be and this includes women because they make it too your sex drive can plummet.
For women in perimenopause, lower progesterone levels also contribute to a loss of desire, while low estrogen during menopause causes vaginal dryness.
4. Raised blood sugar levels: A host of hormones contribute to higher blood glucose levels, but the most well-known is insulin, which is made by your pancreas.
6. Persistent sleep problems: If you have insomnia or dont sleep well night after night, the cause could be hormonal.
A Quick Summary Of Hormones
Hormones serve as chemical messengers in your body, carrying signals to different areas of your body and affecting vital functions like metabolism and growth. These chemicals are produced by the endocrine system and contain information that helps instruct different organs and tissues throughout your body about how to function.
When these chemicals are out of balance, it can lead to:
While this sounds like a bunch of medical jargon, each hormone has an important purpose in the reproductive system.
AMH is released by cells around your follicles and is the best predictor of your ovarian reserve or egg count. FSH is responsible for starting ovulation, while estradiol is a sex hormone produced by your ovaries. LH is the hormone that keeps your cycle regular and is produced by your pituitary gland.
Testing for thyroid health is also necessary since the gland can often be the root of pregnancy issues. Low levels of TSH and untreated hypothyroidism can interfere with ovulation, impairing fertility. Thankfully, TSH and fT4 can be adjusted with medication when thyroid disease is present.
Whats The Outlook For A Hormonal Imbalance
If you have a hormone imbalance, there are various treatments to help bring your hormones back to appropriate levels and restore balance.
Depending on the underlying cause of the imbalance, as well as the specific hormones in question, treatments can vary, but there are ways to manage symptoms and bring hormone levels back to normal.
If theres an underlying condition causing the hormone imbalance, long-term management of the condition will help ensure hormonal balance.
Hormone levels change and fluctuate over time they dont remain static. Its important to be aware of your bodys symptoms.
Talk with your health care provider about any changes you might notice, especially after giving birth or while going through perimenopause.
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What Causes Hormonal Imbalance
Just as there are many types of hormones with many functions, a hormonal imbalance has many causes. Certain medications, stress, mental disorders, injuries, or even tumors can lead to hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, because the body depends on a precise balance of hormones to function properly, certain hormonal imbalance conditions, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can throw off the balance of other hormones as well.
What Are Progesterone And Estrogen
Progesterone and estrogen are steroidal sex hormones that are primarily produced in the ovaries, the placenta during pregnancy, and the adrenal glands. Both estrogen and progesterone play important roles during menstruation and pregnancy. Consequently,when women are menopausal their systems begin to produce fewer estrogen and progesterone hormones.
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How Does Parsley Health Approach Hormonal Imbalance Treatment
Parsley Health approaches hormone imbalance treatment from a holistic perspective, which means advanced hormone testing to figure out exactly whats going on, medication if its necessary, and a personalized lifestyle plan that will help correct the underlying causes of hormone imbalance. If you suspect you have a hormone imbalance, its best to work closely with a practitioner to determine the best course of action.
That said, there are some general suggestions that will help with any of the five most common hormone imbalances above.
How? Well, youll notice that theres one factor that connects all five of the most common hormone imbalances above and that factor is stress. More specifically, chronic stress.
Stress is really the thing that pings each of these systems and connects everything, says Dr. Krieg. Because of the overarching impact of stress, she almost always centers her hormone balancing lifestyle suggestions around stress reduction. I would suggest relaxation practices like meditation, focusing on getting proper sleep, and I might suggest a group of herbs called adaptogens, which help support the adrenal glands, says Dr. Krieg.
What Treatments Are Available For Teen Hormone Imbalance
Treatment will vary according to the hormones involved and the severity of the imbalance. In many cases, supplements and lifestyle changes can offer relief from symptoms.
At Coyle Institute, we understand how scary it can be for a parent and a teen to experience a health issue such as hormonal imbalance. If you suspect your teen has a hormonal imbalance, a simple saliva test can be the first step to getting to the root of the issue.
Call us today and set up a consultation with our compassionate, expert team. Were here to listen to your concerns and help you find the safest and most effective solution to teen hormone imbalance.
At Coyle Institute, We Restore Womens Lives Through Improved Pelvic Health So You Can Focus On Whats Important: Enjoying Your Life and the People You Love.
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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.
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.
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Female Hormone Imbalance Treatment
Female Hormonal Imbalance Treatment in Fairfax, VA
Hormone imbalance can affect women at any age after becoming adults but it mostly affects menopausal women and less often women who are peri menopausal.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be very difficult to handle.
In women the two main hormones are estrogen and progesterone and their levels can fluctuate a lot during late peri menopause and menopause.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance are:
1. Weight gain
8. PMS (with mood swings, anxiety, depression
Increasing vitamin intake, B6, zinc, magnesium, omega-3s and calcium early
progesterone supplementation
BHRT treatment including estrogen
Hormone replacement therapy has been an option chosen by many women to control their hormone imbalance bioidentical hormone replacement therapy being the most popular form of hormone replacement treatment due to its efficacy, safety and because it utilize hormones identical to the hormones in your own body.
Request more information about hormonal imbalance today. Call 571 992 9815
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What You Can Do About A Hormone Imbalance
Hormones are important chemicals in the body that help coordinate and regulate many functions including metabolism, mood, growth, and sexuality. These chemicals are secreted from glands and organs in your endocrine system, so when your body creates too much or too little of a hormone it can create a hormonal imbalance.
Around 80% of women live with hormonal imbalances, and some dont even realize it. Dr. Staci Mchale and the experienced medical team at New Beginnings OB-GYN support women in the Las Vegas, Nevada area looking to manage hormonal problems. We offer individualized care for women of all ages with diligence, compassion, and empathy.
Hormonal imbalances can create a wide range of problems in your body, but there are some things you can do to help restore balance. Lets look at how hormones work, what causes imbalances, and ways to prevent and treat the problem.
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What Are The Common Causes Of Teen Hormone Imbalance
One of the most common causes of serious teen hormone imbalance is PCOS. Common symptoms include acne, weight gain and patches of dark skin on the back of the neck, inner thighs and armpits. PCOS can also cause excessive dark hair growth on the face, back and abdomen and irregular or heavy periods.
Endocrine gland malfunction can cause a host of different teenage hormone imbalance issues. Endocrine glands are specialized cells that produce, store and release hormones into the blood. There are several endocrine glands located throughout the body that control different organs, including the ovaries, adrenal glands, pituitary, pineal, hypothalamus, thyroid and pancreas. Anything awry with any of these glands can cause teen hormone imbalance.
How Is Pcos Diagnosed
No single test can diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms and medical history and by doing a physical exam, and possibly a pelvic exam.
They might give you blood tests to measure your hormone levels, blood sugar, and cholesterol. An ultrasound can check your ovaries for cysts, look for tumors, and measure the lining of your uterus.
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Teenage Hormone Imbalance: When To Talk To A Doctor
Teen girls are notoriously moody, secretive and embarrassed to talk about their changing bodies. In most cases, we blame it on the shifting hormones of the teenage years. So how do you know when moods and changes in appearance have gone beyond what is typical and may indicate a health issue?
Teen hormones may be in a state of flux, but can still become unbalanced due to a variety of underlying causes. In some cases, the signs of a hormone imbalance can be visible, such as delayed puberty or excessive and sudden weight gain. In other cases, you may not realize that the teenage girl in the house is suffering symptoms of teenage hormone imbalance such as heavy menstrual bleeding. In many cases, the teen may not even realize anything is amiss.
Changes In Blood Pressure
Your hormones play a major role in heart health, primarily due to one of your bodys largest hormone-producing glands, the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Without proper regulation of this hormone, your body could end up with too much glucose in the blood, leading to cardiovascular problems like high cholesterol or high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, has also been linked to thyroid dysfunction, testosterone deficiency, growth hormone excess or deficiency, and more.
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Signs Or Symptoms In Males:
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male development. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms when it is lacking.
The following symptoms characterize male hormone imbalances:
Breast development, or gynecomastia
A problem with erectile function
An increase in body hair and beard growth
Muscle mass loss
Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose mass
Concentration problems
hot flashes
Make Eating Into A Mindful Practice
What you eat is just as important as when and how you eat.
In order to maintain whats known as balanced blood sugar which means youre keeping your blood sugar in a rather straight line versus having big spikes and dips throughout the day you should be eating every three to four hours.
Please dont wait until youre starving, have the shakes, feel like youll throw up, or faint. In addition, follow these rules at mealtime. Slooowww it down, girlfriend.
Sit down while eating , chew your food 20 to 30 times , and focus on something positive while eating. When youre stressed out, your gut cant easily absorb the nutrients youre consuming, so it doesnt matter how much broccoli you eat!
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Can Hormone Imbalance Cure Itself
The Hormonal Imbalance cannot be cured if it is in a severe stage. In some cases, the imbalance is so minute that one might not even feel it. It can be cured on its own with some care. In the second stage of imbalance, where the imbalance is not able to cure its own, one might feel physical changes like:
- Acne on different body parts.
- The hump of fat between the shoulders.
- Sudden and muscle aches, massive weight loss, and stiffness.
- Stiffness, pain, or swelling in your joints.
- Inconsistent heart rate.
Risks Of Not Treating Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances, when left untreated, are more than just annoying mood swings and bad PMS. They can be indicators that something more serious rarely, even cancerous is happening in your body.
Not getting your hormones back in balance could lead to other problems, like elevated cholesterol, osteoporosis, obesity, lack of sleep, and more.
Although truly identified hormonal imbalances often need medical or even surgical intervention, a healthy lifestyle can improve low-level symptoms.
Do your best to get:
- 6-8 hours of sleep each day
- 30+ minutes of vigorous exercise daily
- And a high-quality diet with enough protein and healthy fats and less sugar.
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Supplement With Vitamin D
A Vitamin D deficiency is more common than you may think, with over a billion people worldwide suffering from either a deficient or insufficient supply of this critical vitamin. Vitamin D plays an extremely important role in a number of bodily functions, such as immune function, cell differentiation, and inflammatory response. Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk in colon, prostate, and breast cancer, as well as tuberculosis, influenza, and heart disease. A relationship has also been found between hypothyroidism and a vitamin D deficiency.
Ideally, we would get our daily dose of Vitamin D from 10 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted sun exposure, but this is unrealistic for most. Thats why its important to take a Vitamin D3 supplement and eat foods rich in Vitamin D, such as pastured eggs and wild salmon. Its also important to note that as we age, our production of Vitamin D decreases, so make sure youre monitoring your levels and getting them checked by your primary care provider.
What Are Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones are chemical messengers produced in the body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs. Neurohormones have an important impact on the brain. The human body produces hundreds of hormones, but the following four of them have a very direct influence on brain health/mental health: Thyroid , Estrogen , Progesterone and Testosterone , DHEA and Cortisol , and Insulin .
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Treatment Of Male Hormonal Imbalance
Learning how to balance male hormones depends on the type of imbalance and whats causing it. If your doctor suspects that you have any type of hormonal imbalance, theyll probably order certain tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possibilities. According to MedlinePlus, these blood tests can include:
- Free testosterone testing
- Bioavailable testosterone testing
Your treatment will depend on the results of these tests. Male hypogonadism is usually treated with testosterone replacement however, youll also need to treat any underlying conditions that led to the problem.
Visit STDWatch.com now to learn more about many other topics on reproductive and sexual health, including at-home STD testing kits.
Final Thoughts On Hormonal Imbalances
- Some of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalances include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, and changes in hair, skin, and nails.
- Root causes of hormonal imbalances include compromised gut health, elevated inflammation, and high stress levels.
- Natural ways to balance your hormones include eating anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats, reducing your exposure to endocrine disruptors, getting adequate sleep, and using supplements to fill in any nutritional gaps related to gut health and vitamin D levels.
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