Your Weight Is Out Of Control And The Number On The Scale Keeps Climbing
If you’re eating salad after salad and spending hours at the gym but you’re still not seeing results, you might be ready to throw in the towel. But the problem isn’t lack of effort or faulty scaleit’s likely your liver, which is responsible for removing toxins by turning fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins so they can be excreted through your large intestine, kidneys, and skin. When you have a hormonal problem, your liver’s function is compromised and can’t work as efficiently at removing these toxins, so your body holds on to fat-soluble toxins.
Try: Adding lemons and oranges to your water. Citrus fruits contain a compound called D-limonene, which is critical for healthy liver function.
How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed What Treatments Are Available
Most healthcare providers will measure their testosterone levels by having a blood test, doing a physical exam and having the patient describe his symptoms. Finally, they may order additional tests to rule out other possible diagnoses.
Testosterone is sometimes prescribed for men with low testosterone. Almost all hormone supplements and testosterone treatments are available in different forms, including lozenges, patches, gels and creams.
Because of the limited knowledge regarding this condition, challenges in having a proper diagnosis, as well as the possible side effects of treatments, HRT should not administer for men without proper testing, retesting and consultation with a healthcare provider to discuss the pros and cons. One may want to consider an endocrinologist who specializes in hormones.
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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Bruising And Dry Skin
Estrogen plays an important role in the maintenance of your skin, as it stimulates the production of collagen and oils that keep it moist and tight. When levels of estrogen decline, this stimulation is reduced and your skin becomes drier and prone to bruising, and you may even break out into spots more often.
Different Hormones Different Symptoms
The human body produces many kinds of hormones from different organs, such as the pituitary gland, testicles, ovaries, heart, pancreas, kidneys, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Some hormones are considered proteins, others are called steroids, and yet others are called polypeptides.
But no matter their name or the gland that secretes them, theyre essential for the healthy functioning of your body throughout your lifespan. Heres what happens to a womans body when there is an imbalance:
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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.
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
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How Do I Treat A Hormonal Imbalance
Once your doctor has all your test results and you have a diagnosis, you can decide on what course of action you need to take. For minor imbalances, like a shorter than usual luteal phase or a slight estrogen dominance, you may opt for over-the-counter treatments. Sometimes, to get back on track you may just need to make sure you:
- Exercise regularly
- Have a healthy diet with less sugar and processed foods, and more protein and healthy fats
- Manage stress
- Use seed cycling as a way to balance your cycle
- Work with a certified herbalist and/or acupuncturist
If your problems are more serious, and if you have been diagnosed with PCOS, anovulation, or thyroid issues, you will most likely need medical intervention under the supervision of a specialized doctor. Hormone therapy may help, if it is appropriate and safe for you. If youre concerned about a more serious hormone imbalance, we recommend consulting your doctor.
If you suspect something is not right and your hormones might be imbalanced, we recommend talking to your doctor. The sooner you identify and treat the issue, the sooner you can get back to living your best life!
Are You Estrogen Dominant
Estrogen dominance is a term coined by Dr. John Lee, author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, to describe a systemic imbalance of hormones brought about by the presence of too much estrogen that is not balanced by adequate levels of progesteronein short: too much estrogentoo little progesterone.
Estrogen dominance is found primarily in women living in industrialized countries who:
- are using synthetic hormone replacement treatments
- are in premenopause but who are not ovulating and therefore not making sufficient progesterone
- are exposed to environmental toxins that disrupt hormone balance
- are taking birth control pills, especially those high in synthetic estrogens
- have had partial or full hysterectomies which can lead to ovarian dysfunction
- whose ovaries are not producing progesterone because they are not ovulating
- are overweight and especially prone to imbalances of estrogen since excess fat cells make excess estrogens
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Natural Remedies And Supplements
There are many nutritional supplements on the market that claim to treat menopause and hormone 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, though.
Some people find that yoga helps treat 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. A
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:
- face
- upper back
- shoulders
Acne is often associated with pubescent hormonal changes, but theres actually a lifelong relationship between acne and hormones.
What Influences Appetite And Weight
When Estrogen Drops, Hunger Increases
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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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.
Reasons Your Doctor Cant Give You A Hormone Imbalance Test
You may wonder why your doctor cant give you a quick test to determine if all your hormones are in balance. Testing hormones is very different from testing cholesterol or iron in your blood because your hormone levels are always changing, day by day, even hour by hour. They change based on where you are in your menstrual cycle, when you last ate, what your other hormones are doing, how stressed you are, and many other factors. Thats why a single hormone check cant really tell you if all your hormones are balanced.
Secondly, asking your doctor to check your hormones is a huge request. The human body produces more than 50 hormones! Hormones include melatonin adrenaline , oxytocin , cortisol , and progesterone , just to name a few.
The best way to discover if specific hormones are out of balance is by telling your doctor which symptoms you are experiencing so they can narrow down what should be checked and when. Your symptoms are your doctors first clues about what could be wrong.
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What Are Irregular Periods
Most women have menstrual cycles that last between 21 and 35 days. Up to one quarter of women experience irregular periods. This includes having periods that are shorter or longer than usual or periods that are lighter or heavier than usual. Some women who have irregular periods may experience abdominal cramping or a lack of ovulation. Amenorrhea is a medical term that refers to an absence of periods for at least 3 months even though a woman is not pregnant. Menorrhagia is the term that means excessive menstrual bleeding. Dysmenorrhea refers to pain and cramping during periods. Prolonged menstrual bleeding involves periods in which bleeding routinely lasts for 8 days or longer. Oligomenorrhea is a condition in which periods occur infrequently or more than every 35 days. See your doctor if you believe hormonal imbalance is affecting your menstrual cycle.
You Have Zero Interest In Sex
There are a lot of reasons your sex drive may have taken a nose-dive, but stress is a major factor that wreaks havoc on your hormones and in turn depletes your libido.
Try: Spicing it up. Research has linked spicy food to higher testosterone levels in men, and testosterone is just as important for a woman’s sex drive.
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How To Treat Hormonal Imbalances
There are lots of things you can do to correct your hormone levels. Treatment will depend on whats causing your hormones to be imbalanced in the first place.
In some cases, you might need to work with your GP or a specialist to correct your hormones levels. Treatment might include:
- hormone replacement therapy
- vaginal oestrogen
- surgery
Dont underestimate the positive effects that lifestyle changes can have on correcting your hormone levels. Lowering your stress levels, making sure youre getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercise can get your levels back on track and improve your mood as well as being good for your overall health.
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Common Signs And Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalances In Women
There are many signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalances in women. They depend on which glands in your body are affected and which hormones are imbalanced. Symptoms include:
Irregular periods
A hormone imbalance can lead to polycystic ovary syndrome , a condition in which the body makes higher levels of male hormones. The imbalance leads to skipped periods and can contribute to health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Imbalances may also cause heavier than normal periods.
Low sex drive
A drop in your estrogen levels can cause a loss of desire for sexual intercourse. The imbalance can also cause vaginal dryness, which may make sex painful or uncomfortable.
Unexplained weight gain
Low levels of thyroid hormones, high levels of cortisol, PCOS, and other hormonal imbalances can cause unexplained weight gain.
Infertility
Hormone imbalances can affect your menstrual cycle, which can make it harder to get pregnant.
Insomnia
Progesterone is known as the relaxing hormone. An imbalance of this hormone can lead to insomnia, making it more difficult for you to sleep. Too much progesterone may also lead to chronic fatigue.
Bloating
Cells in the lining of your digestive tract have receptors for estrogen and progesterone. Changes in the levels of these hormones may affect your digestion, leading to bloating and other stomach issues.
Mood swings
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You Snack Throughout The Day
High cortisol levels leads your body to have a highly variable blood glucose level. This unstable blood glucose level makes you crave/require food every few hours in order to ward of those hypoglycemic moments – see sign #8.
Psst… snacking also leads to bloating and issues such as SIBO. Get the deets HERE.
What Are The Common Causes Of Teen Hormone Imbalance
One of the most common causes of serious teen hormone imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome . 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 body hair growth 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 pancreatic islets. Anything awry with any of these glands can cause teen hormone imbalance.
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Learn To Manage Stress
Stress can wreak havoc on your hormones. Two major hormones affected by stress are cortisol and adrenaline, which is also called epinephrine.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone because it helps your body cope with stress over the long term.
Adrenaline is the fight-or-flight hormone that provides your body with a surge of energy to respond to immediate danger.
However, unlike hundreds of years ago when these hormones were mainly triggered by threats from predators, today theyre usually triggered by peoples busy, often overwhelming lifestyles.
Unfortunately, chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain elevated, which can lead to excessive calorie intake and obesity, including increased belly fat (
37 ).
A 2005 review of studies found that massage therapy not only reduced cortisol levels by an average of 31%, but also increased levels of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin by 28% and dopamine by 31%, on average .
Try to devote at least 1015 minutes per day to stress-reducing activities, even if you dont feel you have the time.
Summary:
Engaging in stress-reduction behaviors like meditation, yoga, massage and listening to soothing music can help normalize your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
How Can You Diagnose And Treat Hormonal Imbalance
If you experience any of the symptoms we listed earlier, your healthcare provider can run tests to help you figure out the cause. The Modern Fertility Hormone Test can give you a leg up on the conversation by measuring up to seven important reproductive hormones, including estradiol and TSH .
If your results suggest any hormone levels are too high or too low, you can use those levels to start a conversation with your healthcare provider about treatment options. In many cases, your healthcare provider will treat the underlying cause before addressing hormone levels.
If treatment for symptoms from “abnormal” hormone levels is needed, your healthcare provider may suggest or prescribe:
- Evaluating your current medications to see if they may be contributing
- Lifestyle changes
- Making sure any chronic medical conditions are controlled
- Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy
- Hyperprolactinemia medications or thyroid medications
- Radioactive iodine, thyroid medications, beta-blockers, and surgery
As for lifestyle changes beyond stress management, nutrition, and exercise? Dr. Zore explains that other modifications have very little science to back them up.
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What Food Increases Hormones For Female
When an individual is looking to help naturally boost their estrogen levels, estrogen boosting foods can make a big difference.10 Estrogen building foods:Tofu. Tofu is produced from soy milk which is naturally high in phytoestrogens, specifically isoflavones. Flax Seeds. Sesame Seeds. Soybeans. Hummus. Garlic. Dried Fruit.More items
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.
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