How Hormones Work And How To Balance Them Naturally
Womenâs Best Health TeamAugust 28, 2019Reading time: 4min
Hormones could be often the reason why you gain weight even when following a diet or why you feel sluggish all the time. Hormonal imbalances affect millions of people worldwide, in the forms of diabetes, thyroid disorders, menstrual irregularities, infertility, low testosterone, and estrogen dominance. This article is all about your hormones and how to balance them!
Boost Your Gut Health
The birth control pill can mess with the health of your gut. It alters the balance of bacteria in your gut microbiome and you need that good bacteria to help break down and eliminate estrogen. You also need them to prevent leaky gut and inflammation.
Coming off the pill can be tricky, and it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to bring your hormones and health back into balance. These 5 steps will help your body create the right foundation to get you to your goals. Want even more support? Check out my Ultimate Food Guide to Post-Birth Control Hormone Balance below. This guide will provide you with the exact foods to eat to support these 5 foundations of hormone balance.
Impressive Herbs That Help Balance Your Hormones
Herbs are a group of plants whose leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds are used for various purposes.
If you love to cook, you may be most familiar with using herbs as cooking ingredients. Interestingly, humans have also used them for healthcare, spiritual rituals, and more for thousands of years .
Traditionally, some herbs have even been used to balance hormone levels. Although rigorous research on the topic is limited, some evidence suggests that certain herbs could influence hormone levels in your body, as well as other related functions of the endocrine system.
Still, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to using herbs for medical or health reasons.
Thats why weve sifted through the science and put together this list of 5 herbs, all of which have evidence to support some of their hormone-balancing claims.
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Try Stress Reduction Techniques
Stress harms your hormones in several ways.
The hormone cortisol is known as the stress hormone because it helps your body cope with long-term stress.
Your bodys response to stress activates a cascade of events that leads to cortisol production. Once the stressor has passed, the response ends. However, chronic stress impairs the feedback mechanisms that return your hormonal systems to normal .
Therefore, chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain elevated, which stimulates appetite and increases your intake of sugary and high fat foods. In turn, this may lead to excessive calorie intake and obesity (
50 ).
In a review of 21 studies in 2,250 people, those assigned to a short sleep group showed higher ghrelin levels than those who got the recommended amount of sleep .
Plus, your brain needs uninterrupted sleep to go through all five stages of each sleep cycle. This is especially important for the release of growth hormone, which occurs mainly at night during deep sleep .
To maintain optimal hormonal balance, aim for at least 7 hours of high quality sleep per night.
Summary
Poor sleep has been shown to decrease fullness hormones, increase hunger and stress hormones, and increase insulin resistance.
Are Your Hormones Out Of Balance
At some point every womans hormones get out of balance that is if they live long enough. So its not a matter of if. Its a matter of when. For some woman critical hormone imbalances can occur during their 30s, but for others imbalances may not occur until their 50s. So every woman is different. So how do you know when your hormones are out of balance?
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Mobile Iv Therapy For Hormone Imbalance
Mobile IV Medics is here to help you alleviate the symptoms of your hormonal imbalance. Whether its a major or minor imbalance, Mobile IV Medics can assist with getting your levels on track using our simple and straightforward methods. With an IV drip composed for your specific needs, well help you get the chemicals you need to reduce hormonal issues.
Our curated IV drips have everything you need to assist with imbalances and get better. We offer mobile IV treatments administered by certified nurses and our IV infusions are mixed with essential fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and antioxidants. Contact us online to learn more about our therapy options today.
Causes And Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance
When the endocrine system is functioning smoothly, its precise and timely release of hormones works to promote optimal health and function. The glands in this system assist in nearly every critical bodily function. So, if there is a problem with one or more glands, hormonal imbalance can occur, causing a variety of problems, some more serious than others. These changes can be detected by undergoing a hormone imbalance test, which is an opening door towards getting the right kind of treatment to address your hormonal imbalance symptoms.
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Youre Waking Up At Night
Not sleeping well at night should be a major heads up to re-examine your overall health as well as lifestyle choices. Consistent, and adequate sleep is literally one of the best tools for health, anti-aging, and balancing hormonesI formulated Sleep Savior with this in mind . So, not only is it a sign that hormones may be imbalanced, but it can also help you balance hormones.
If youre in your 30s or older, one hormone youll want to keep an eye on is cortisol. This hormone is produced by stress, but as long as it stays balancedyoure in the clear. Because it regulates energy levels, it should be highest in the morning and lowest at night.
If cortisol is high all day long or spikes at night, its a sign that your adrenals are taxed and your hormonal imbalance is likely caused by stress.
Dive deeper: Is it Adrenal Fatigue? 7 Signs youre on the road to burnout.
Youve Lost That *spark*
If youve ever felt like youve lost that special something, your zest for lifeand your partnerthen you know what Im talking about. Maybe its a shift in energya change in your Qior perhaps situational factors like high stress, or the life of a busy mom. Either way, the last thing youre interested in is your hubby winking at you from across the dinner table.
Having a healthy sex drive is a really important marker for hormone health . This is because the hormones that regulate libido, like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, also regulate your mood, sleep, mental health, and metabolism. If your libido has gone missing for an extended period of timeits time to find out why.
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What Influences Appetite And Weight
When Estrogen Drops, Hunger Increases
A decrease in estrogen levels during a womans 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.
How Can You Test Your Hormones
Testing your hormone levels can either be done at your doctors office or at home.
Testing at your doctors office will require a nurse to draw a blood sample, and then that sample will be tested at a laboratory. This type of test can measure any hormone in your body, and it is the most accurate testing method.
If youd prefer to test your hormones from the comfort of your own home, there is a rise in popularity of at-home blood testing kits . Alternatively, its also possible to measure certain hormone levels at home through urine testing. For example, the Mira App and Analyzer is a great tool for measuring and tracking fertility hormones.
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How Long Does It Take To Balance Your Hormones
Hormones are incredible chemical messengers in our body that affect our brain, heart, bones, muscles, and reproductive organs and are an essential part of the workings of every cell in the human body.Hormones help with reactive situations, and send signals to allow the body to.Hormones work best when balanced.Hot flashes can occur for a few months to several years.
How long does it take for bioidentical hormones to work patients say that they feel relief from plenty of symptoms within 1 to 2 days after treatment.How long does it take for hormones to balance after quitting alcohol?How long does it take for hormones to balance after starting birth control?How long does it take for my hormones to balance?
How low is too low?However, hormones can become imbalanced.However, other underlying conditions and external factors may also affect recovery time.I would advise giving your body two full menstrual cycles to see if it normalizes, says nayak.
If symptoms persist, your doctor can advise on next steps to take, whether its prescribing a medical intervention or another lifestyle change.In a few rare cases, some people had hot flashes for 10 years.In fact, many women report feeling less anxious and depressed once they begin taking the pill.In many ways, how long does hrt take to work? can be a difficult question to answer.
Prayer For Healing Of Hormonal Imbalance
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the information you provided to me on balancing hormones. I thank you Lord for revealing to me the need to become healthier for myself and for my family. I pray Lord that the symptoms Im experiencing will be healed in Jesus name. I break any generational curse linked to hormonal imbalance that may be holding back my healing. I pray that you go into each and every organ, each and every hormone cycle, and each and every part of my body that needs to be healed and that your power work through me.
I pray that you give me the desire and the discipline to change my eating habits, exercise on a regular regimen, and get adequate sleep for my body. Allow me to find rest in you Lord as I deal with any stress factors that may overcome my mind. I pray that your hands will touch my gut and heal any issues that I may have in the name of Jesus. Lord, I pray that you reveal to me the need for a coach to help guide me in the timing that you desire it to happen. I pray this healing prayer in Jesus name, Amen.
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You Have Poor Digestion
We already know that digestive health affects the health of the whole body, but it can also provide clues about whats up with your hormones. If youre constipated, it might be a sign of excess estrogen levels . Many women who feel bloated or sluggish after eating meals may be experiencing reduced insulin sensitivity associated with PCOS.
No matter what, when youre experiencing any digestive symptoms, its important to find out what the trigger is before it starts a domino effect with your health.
Now that you have a better idea of how to spot a hormone imbalance, lets take a look at the quickest ways to fix a hormonal imbalance.
Lower Your Sugar Intake
Minimizing added sugar intake may be instrumental in optimizing hormone function and avoiding obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.
The simple sugar fructose is present in many types of sugar, comprising up to 43% of honey, 50% of refined table sugar, 55% of high fructose corn syrup, and 90% of agave .
In addition, sugar-sweetened beverages are the primary source of added sugars in the Western diet, and fructose is commonly used commercially in soft drinks, fruit juice, and sport and energy drinks .
Fructose intake has increased exponentially in the United States since around 1980, and studies consistently show that eating added sugar promotes insulin resistance regardless of total calorie intake or weight gain .
Long-term fructose intake has been linked to disruptions of the gut microbiome, which may lead to other hormonal imbalances .
Whats more, fructose may fail to stimulate the production of the fullness hormone leptin, leading to decreased calorie burning and increased weight gain .
Therefore, reducing your intake of sugary drinks and other sources of added sugar may improve hormone health.
Summary
Diets high in sugar have been shown to promote insulin resistance, disrupt your gut microbiome, and reduce leptin production. Thus, lowering your sugar intake may aid hormonal health.
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Ways To Balance Your Female Hormones From Fat First To Having The Right Supplements
Hormones you cant live with them, you cant live without them. We often dont realise the extent to which our everyday habits affect our hormonal health. An imbalanced diet or even poor lifestyle practices play an important role in the way our hormones function, which often results in several imbalances leading to different conditions. If youre looking to balance out your hormones, you need to inculcate 5 super habits into your life. What are they? Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary tells you how to tweak your diet and lifestyle choices to prevent tipping the hormonal scales.
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
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Avoid Sugar And Refined Carbs
Sugar and refined carbs have been linked to a number of health problems.
Indeed, avoiding or minimizing these foods may be instrumental in optimizing hormone function and avoiding obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
Studies have consistently shown that fructose can increase insulin levels and promote insulin resistance, especially in overweight and obese people with prediabetes or diabetes (
Summary:
Diets high in sugar and refined carbs have been shown to drive insulin resistance. Avoiding these foods and reducing overall carb intake may decrease insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
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Be Wary Of Dairy Products
Dairy is an important source of nutrients for many people. However, females concerned about levels of reproductive hormones may wish to use caution, especially before consuming cream or yogurt.
A 2017 study notes that eating dairy can reduce levels of some protective hormones.
In addition, the authors point to an association between eating cream and yogurt and missing ovulation. The link is unclear, and the researchers call for further studies.
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Know If It Is Time To Ask For Help
Keep in mind that you should not suffer during this change in your life. Give your body some time to get back on track. Allow your body two full menstrual cycles to balance out and see if it normalizes. If it does not, then consider getting some support. Your doctor may discover underlying medical symptoms that can include PCOS or thyroid disorders. In both these cases, I have blog posts that provide additional information about the best diet for PCOS.
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Hormonal Imbalance And Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom that may have many potential underlying causes. Just as too little progesterone can make it hard to sleep, too much progesterone can make you more tired. Another common hormonal imbalance that causes fatigue is low thyroid hormone levels . This condition is easily diagnosed with a blood test. If your levels are low, you can take prescription medication to bring your levels back up to normal. Regardless of any hormone imbalance that may exist, practice good sleep hygiene to optimize your sleep. This involves going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and exercise from the late afternoon on to avoid interfering with sleep. Establish a relaxing nighttime routine to give your body the message that its time for sleep. Take a warm bath, sip a cup of chamomile tea, or listen to relaxing music.
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The Best Exercises For Hormonal Imbalance
The best exercises for hormonal imbalance depend on each case. “I would first investigate if you are even experiencing a hormonal imbalance in the first place. I work in the weight management industry, so my patient population is addressing those who are overweight and obese,” says Lee.
“Excess body fat tissue, not only adds overall stress and inflammation to joints and organs which translates to overall effects on mood, an increase of pain, and worsening of fatigue but it also adds stress onto organs such as the liver and sex organs,” explains Lee.
Fatty tissue, when out of control, can secrete hormones that affect other hormones: “An example is its ability to secrete higher levels of sex hormone-binding globulin into the serum which then attaches/binds onto active hormones and inactivate their role which then cause slowing of the overall metabolism,” adds Lee.
In these cases, you need to consider weight management by changing the way you eat and most definitely how you exercise to promote fat tissue burn.
Stocksy / Design by Tiana Crispino
Some of the best types of exercise for hormonal balance, according to Rivett, include: