How To Overcome Hormonal Imbalance Naturally
Let’s face it.
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, hormonal imbalance is becoming increasingly common.
Weve covered how to test for hormone imbalance, but what about getting your hormones back in line?
Thankfully, there are plenty of natural options for overcoming a hormone imbalance, including:
- Saying no to sugar and sugary drinks
- Avoiding refined carbs
- Eating plenty of high-quality protein, such as grass-fed meat
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Learning to manage your stress
- Consuming plenty ofhealthy fats,like avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil
- Avoiding under-eating and overeating
- Making sleep a priority
- Eating lots of fatty fish, such a salmon, and mackerel
Problems With The Master Gland
The pituitary gland is a small structure located at the base of the brain. It is known as the “master gland” because it produces several hormones that affect many bodily processes and other endocrine glands. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland include prolactin, growth hormone , thyroid-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone , adenocorticotropin , and follicle-stimulating hormone . The pituitary gland also releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. A pituitary gland tumor is the most common kind of pituitary disorder. They are usually benign . Sometimes these tumors secrete more or less of hormones made by the pituitary gland. Other tumors don’t secrete anything. Some pituitary tumors produce symptoms because they grow large enough to affect the functioning of the pituitary gland or surrounding brain structures.
Your Hormones Your Health
Feeling bloated, irritable, or just not your best? Shifts in your hormones could be to blame. Hormones are chemical âmessengersâ that impact the way your cells and organs function. Itâs normal for your levels of them to shift at different times of your life, such as before and during your period or a pregnancy, or during menopause. But some medications and health issues can cause your levels to go up or down, too.
Read Also: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
You Can’t Get Rid Of Breakouts
This is often a sign of cortisol imbalance. Cortisol imbalance is linked to higher intakes of sugar and higher blood glucose levels in general. One of the main jobs of cortisol is to increase your blood glucose levels. This cascade of reactions leads to increased inflammation throughout the body, including increased breakouts.
Side story ~ I have a good friend who was working a very high stress job that was emotionally and physically taking a toll on her body. At the time, she was also experiencing cystic acne that no amounts of facials or dermatologist appointments could get rid of. Within two weeks of leaving her job and switching to one she loved, her acne completely vanished. This isn’t to say that stress was the ONLY cause, but it was a major contributing factor.
Hormone balance is something that your body wants. It doesn’t want to have high cortisol, low melatonin, high ghrelin or all over the place insulin. It WANTS to feel GOOD! All we have to do is remove the barriers and provide the tools it needs in order to get there.
What Is A Hormone Imbalance
Yourhormonesare your bodys chemical messengers.
For most of us, when we hear the word hormones, we think of the reproduction process.
But hormones are fundamental to each and every system throughout your body.
And since hormones are so essential in your body, even a tiny imbalance can cause serious side effects.
Produced by your endocrine system, hormones send messages throughout your body to help regulate body processes such as:
- Hunger
- Blood pressure and
- Sexual desire
A hormone imbalance occurs when there is either too little or too much of a specific hormone in your bloodstream.
And if your hormones arent doing their job, you arent going to feel like you.
Recommended Reading: Does Estrogen Cream Help Lichen Sclerosus
Hormonal Imbalance In Women
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Bloating, fatigue, irritability, hair loss, palpitations, mood swings, problems with blood sugar, trouble concentrating, infertility — these are just a few symptoms of hormone imbalance. These compounds affect every cell and system in the body. Hormone imbalance can debilitate you. Some hormonal shifts are normal, like monthly fluctuations of sex hormones responsible for menstruation and ovulation or the changes that occur during pregnancy. Menopause is another time for a normal hormonal shift in a woman’s life. Many women may experience weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, and diminished sex drive during this time. Other times these fluctuations may be due to a medication or a medical condition.
Balance Your Cortisol
Cortisol is an important hormone that may become imbalanced with stress or illness. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands that lie on top of the kidneys. Low intensity exercise can help lower elevated cortisol levels. Stress impacts adrenal function and hormone levels. Get acquainted with hormone imbalance symptoms and signs so you can notice when things in your body and mind don’t seem right.
Hormonal Imbalance In Children: Does It Exist
Yes. Hormonal imbalances in children typically occur around puberty. This is when the sex hormones are first produced, signaling future growth in the body. Children whose bodies produce few or no sex hormones often have a condition known as hypogonadism.
In boys, hypogonadism stops the body from producing the muscle mass, body hair, and voice changes that are associated with puberty. The sex organs don’t develop as they should, and the arms and legs will experience an excessive amount of growth compared to the trunk. Boys may also develop breast tissue. When girls have hypogonadism, they don’t develop breast tissue, start their menstrual cycle, or experience the growth spurt that’s typical of puberty.
Hypogonadism can occur either because the gonads are not producing the right hormone levels or, because the pituitary gland and hypothalamus aren’t signaling to the gonads to produce hormones at all. Though hypogonadism is a common cause of developmental and growth problems, there are other causes that may be causative. Always speak with your healthcare provider to gt the proper diagnosis of any abnormal development in children.
You May Like: Can Having Your Tubes Tied Cause 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.
Exacerbation Of Mental Health Problems
Estrogen is believed to have a protective effect on the brain. It appears to positively impact brain chemicals , cognition, and the ability to withstand stress. Dropping estrogen levels appear to be associated with an increased risk of psychosis. The age of menopause is associated with a second peak of schizophrenia onset in women. Results of preliminary research suggests selective estrogen receptor modulators may improve cognition and other symptoms in women who have psychiatric disorders. They may even reduce the frequency of manic episodes in women who have bipolar disorder. However, these drugs are not without potential risks. See your doctor if you believe decreasing estrogen levels are contributing to serious mental health symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Does Melatonin Cancel Out Birth Control Implant
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.
Can Stress Cause A Hormone Imbalance
Stress has not only been proven to play a huge part in causing hormonal imbalances, but there is also scientific evidence that long-term exposure to stress may lead to endocrine conditions.
Stress can lead to changes in serum levels of hormones like cortisol, thyroid hormones, and prolactin, among others. Women with higher stress levels are more prone to experiencing menstrual cycle irregularities.
A healthy menstrual cycle is a sign of good health. We care about our hormone levels, successful ovulation, and a normal length luteal phase because they are a solid proof our health is in good shape. It also signifies that our brain, ovaries, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands are all working properly.
When we are under a lot of stress and our cortisol levels are constantly high, they disrupt the correct functioning of other hormones , which may disrupt our menstrual cycle. If your doctor diagnoses you with stress induced hormone imbalance, he or she will likely suggest trying to reduce your cortisol levels.
We know easier said than done! Here are a few options you can try for reducing cortisol:
- Meditation
- Sore breasts
- Hair loss
You should talk to your doctor if you are experiencing one or several of the symptoms mentioned above. Separately they may not be a cause of concern, but together they may signal underlying issues.
You May Like: Can Having Tubes Tied Cause Early Menopause
Changes In Weight Distribution
As estrogen levels decrease in women who are postmenopausal, they may notice they gain more weight around the abdomen and arms. This central obesity, as it is known, is dangerous because it increases a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease. In one study, postmenopausal women who received hormone replacement therapy did not experience weight gain in the trunk and arm areas compared to women who did not take HRT. Women treated with hormones gained an insignificant amount of weight during the study in their legs. This pattern of fat distribution is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The treated women had better bone mineral density compared to those who did not receive hormone therapy, too. Talk to your doctor if you notice you’re gaining more weight around your middle. Hormone therapy, if it’s appropriate and safe for you, may help.
What Are The Core Symptoms
When hormones are healthy, you tend to feel vibrant and energetic. When the hormones that affect your brain neurohormones are off, you are off. You may experience symptoms that change the way you think, feel, and act in negative ways. It also makes you more vulnerable to conditions like anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. If nobody checks your hormone levels, you will never know the root cause of your issues. And if your hormones are the problem, no amount of psychiatric medications will get you right.
Read Also: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker
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.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance In Men
The most common hormonal imbalances in men are related to testosterone levels. Men may experience low levels of testosterone due to disorders, like hypogonadism for example when the testes cannot produce an adequate supply of testosterone. More commonly, aging is the underlying cause, with testosterone production gradually diminishing over time, beginning around age 40. For some men, levels fall so low that the body’s basic needs for the hormone cannot be fulfilled, which can lead to many of the symptoms listed above. Other factors that can contribute to low testosterone levels include excessive stress, poor diet, obesity and regular excessive alcohol use.
Recommended Reading: Can Tubal Ligation Cause Early Menopause
Low Sex Drive Could Be Low Testosterone
Testosterone is typically thought of as a male hormone, but both men and women have it. Low testosterone levels may cause low libido. In one study of more than 800 postmenopausal women reporting low sex drive, those who received 150 or 300 micrograms per day of testosterone in the form of a topical patch reported more sexual desire and less distress than women who received a placebo. Women receiving extra testosterone also reported more satisfying sexual experiences compared to women who took a placebo. However, women who took 300 micrograms of testosterone per day had more unwanted hair growth than women who took the placebo. Men can get low testosterone, too. The condition has been referred to as andropause in males.
Emotional Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance In Men
Hormones control most bodily processes and functions, so when just one of them becomes out of balance, it can affect our entire body, as well as our mood and emotional state. Keep reading to learn more about how a hormonal imbalance can affect mens emotional state and how the Biote Method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may help.
Recommended Reading: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
The Bottom Line: The More Info You Have The Better
Whether or not you’re experiencing symptoms that might be related to excess or deficient hormone levels, learning more about your body and how hormone regulation works are great first steps. Paying attention to what you’re feeling and discussing any concerns you might have with your healthcare provider is always important. At the end of the day, the more information you have, the better.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Temeka Zore, a Modern Fertility medical advisor and reproductive endocrinologist at Spring Fertility in San Francisco.
Ready To Take Charge Of Your Hormonal Balance
If you believe you are suffering from hormonal imbalances based upon the signs and symptoms listed above, it may be time to reach out to a qualified medical professional and discuss the causes and your treatment options. Dr. Karen R Threlkel has been treating patients with natural, holistic methodologies for years, and she and her team will be happy to work with you to find naturopathic remedies to balance your hormones.Are you ready to discuss what could be causing your hormonal imbalance? Reach out to make an appointment today! We are happy to consult with you and get you started on a path toward long-lasting results and a healthy lifestyle.
About The Author:
Dr. Threlkel received her degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from The National College for Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She also holds a Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from The University of Maryland. She is licensed in Naturopathic Medicine by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health. Dr. Threlkel is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, past president & current member of the Washington DC Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Don’t Miss: Nugenix Estro-regulator Reviews
Symptoms Of Male Hormonal Imbalance You Should Know
Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, shares what you need to know about male hormonal imbalance. Included: symptoms, potential causes, and hormone-balancing tips.
While fluctuating hormones are often associated with women, men experience hormonal imbalance, too. However, the lack of conversation around this topic leaves many men in the dark about common symptoms they experience.
Keep reading to learn more about hormonal imbalance in men.
Natural Ways To Support Healthy Hormones
While you should always speak to your doctor if you have hormonal imbalance, he might not have to give you any kind of medication to restore the balance. This is particularly true if the imbalance is caused by something like diet or stress. In general, people who have the following criteria are at higher risks of developing hormonal imbalances:
- Being overweight or obese
- Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol
- Being exposed to pesticides and toxins
- Experiencing high stress levels
- Not sleeping enough
Many of these risk factors are easily controlled when you’re mindful of your diet, exercise routine, and daily habits. If you quit smoking, moderate your drinking, or avoid exposure to pesticides, you can help reduce your risk factor for hormonal imbalances and naturally keep them moderated.
Changing the way you eat can go a long way towards improving your hormonal balance. For example, when you exchange carbohydrates for healthy fats, like coconut oil and avocado, you can lower your bodys inflammation and help maintain your hormone at the right levels. Consuming enough proteins will help control the ghrelin hormone that makes you feel hungry. This gives you the feeling of fullness and then, you will stop eating at the appropriate time and maintain a healthy weight.
Read Also: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Bioidentical Hormone Therapy