Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance That Most Women Ignore
1. Emotional Upsets
Many people complain of emotional outbursts and emotional meltdowns. Ever wondered why these emotional ups and downs take place? All this unexpected crying, laughter, and emotional unrest happen due to hormonal imbalance. If your calls of help and tears are ignored by your Ayurvedic practitioner, you should visit an Ayurvedic specialist. You can take hormonal treatment if needed. Hormone balance for women is important because it can increase stress and cause conditions like depression.
2. Exhaustion and Fatigue
We never bother about health until we fall sick or develop some medical issue. Life passes us by, and we eat according to our will and follow physical activity only if we enjoy it. But, as time passes, our bodies start succumbing to this neglect. We start feeling exhausted and fatigued out. Fatigue and exhaustion are common with excessive progesterone. Also, thyroxine imbalance causes a person to feel sleepy and drained of energy all the time.
3. Weight Gain and Weight Loss
You may be desperately exercising and controlling your diet to reduce those stubborn fat deposits around your waist, but somehow nothing seems to work. Too many sweets, fatty foods, junk delights, and carbonated drinks get deposited on our waistlines and lead to weight gain. On the other hand, women may also lose excess weight because of erratic thyroxine production in the body. The thyroid gland controls metabolic activity, temperature, and heart rate also.
5. Allergy Symptoms
You Need The Pill To Have A Normal Period
Birth control does notâI repeat, does notâfix your problematic period. The medication delivers a little bit of estrogen and progesterone, tricking the brain to think it is ovulating and therefore prevents conception. However, this blocks your body’s natural rhythms and covers up your natural hormonal imbalance.
Try:Weaning off the pill. The transition may not be easy, so it’s extra important to build a strong foundation of healthy eating and lifestyle habits and find an alternative birth control method for contraception before you quit completely.
Learn How Your Hormones Work Together
The first half of the menstrual cycle is called the follicular phase and is where you experience a rise in follicle stimulating hormone as several of your follicles begin their final race to ovulation. These growing follicles release the hormone estrogen in higher and higher amounts. Luteinising hormone then triggers ovulation the bursting open of a dominant follicle.
Following ovulation, there is a steep decline in estrogen. The sack which contained the egg begins to secrete another hormone: progesterone which increases and becomes our dominant hormone in the second half of the menstrual cycle which is known as the luteal phase.
Each of these two phases last roughly two weeks in a typical cycle. If your cycle is longer than 28 days, the first half of the cycle will be longer, with the second half usually remaining around two weeks. After this second two-week phase, if your egg is not fertilised, the lining which has grown to support a potential pregnancy will be shed in the form of your period. The is accompanied by a sharp drop in all hormone levels as you return to baseline. This bleed becomes day 1 of your new cycle, and the process begins again.
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Testing For A Hormonal Imbalance
Although a hormone imbalance may bring some obvious symptoms, thatâs not always the case. For example, it can be challenging for someone to decipher whether the depression theyâre experiencing is related to a life event or if itâs instead because of hormone levels that are affecting their mental health. Thatâs why consulting with a healthcare provider is a good idea any time you arenât sure whatâs going on with your health.
Hormone testing may also be worth considering if youâre curious to learn whether you have a hormonal imbalance. Everlywell makes testing your hormones easy with at-home test kits that come with everything you need for collecting your sample and sending it to a lab . Plus, you can view your results on our secure, online platform in an easy-to-understand format. This can be a simpleâbut powerfulâway to see if hormones are balanced in your body and learn your personal levels.
As an example, consider a Womenâs Health Test to check for a hormonal imbalance in women.
Fertility Problems Caused By Hormone Imbalances
Another common time women ask for a hormone checkup is when trying to conceive. Typically, 84% of women get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. When conception doesnt happen, one reason could be a hormonal imbalance. To learn more, read our extensive article about fertility challenges here.
Again, its important to track your menstrual cycle, including the dates you have unprotected sex, to give your doctor a picture of what your reproductive cycle is doing. Keep in mind that your partner should also be tested for structural or hormonal issues if you have been trying to conceive for some time.
If youre having your period too often , then your uterus cant sustain a fertilized egg. If your periods are too far apart , your ovaries may not be releasing eggs often enough into your fallopian tubes.
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Signs And Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, theres a broad range of signs and symptoms that could signal a hormonal imbalance. Your signs or symptoms will depend on which hormones or glands are not working properly.
Common hormonal conditions affecting people of all genders could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
- rounded face
- purple or pink stretch marks
Keep in mind that these symptoms are nonspecific. Having one or a few of them doesnt necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance.
Some of these symptoms may also reflect other chronic conditions. So, if you find yourself dealing with any notable changes in your body or energy levels, its a good idea to talk with your doctor.
Increased Risk Of Sleep Apnea
The risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women during and after menopause. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. OSA occurs when muscles in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. People who have this type of sleep apnea often snore. Researchers who performed one study found that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who had lower estrogen levels were more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than women who had higher estrogen levels. More studies are needed, but women who feel tired or who have unrefreshing sleep should see their doctors to assess hormone levels and discuss risk factors and testing for sleep apnea.
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Low Sex Drive Could Be Low Testosterone
Testosterone is typically thought of as a male hormone, but both men and women have it. Effects of hormonal imbalance in females may include low testosterone levels that 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.
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 it’s time for sleep. Take a warm bath, sip a cup of chamomile tea, or listen to relaxing music.
Read Also: How Do I Know I Have Low Estrogen
Incorporate Healthy Fats Into Your Diet
Adding healthy polyunsaturated fats to your diet, such as omega-3 and omega-6 may help reduce your appetite and. Fatty acids signal the production of leptin, a hormone that reduces appetite by suppressing the area of the brain that controls our appetite and signals to us its time to eat. Without adequate healthy fats in your diet, youre more likely to have low leptin levels, which can induce overeating and an inability to feel satiated. That may be one reason women have been experimenting with seed cycling for hormone balance.
You Are Struck Down With Ibs
Nothing’s worse than feeling awful and hormonal, and then getting struck down with irritable bowel syndrome , too. This can be caused by all sorts of things, such as stress and certain foods. But hormones can also play a role.
As Patz noted, “Recent studies suggest that abnormal levels of serotonin may be one cause of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that causes chronic abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea and/or constipation for millions of Americans. And since most IBS sufferers are women, and many times symptoms get worse during menstruation, it could be that estrogen and progesterone are also involved.”
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Signs Of Hormonal Imbalances
Firstly, everyone is different whats normal for you could be totally abnormal for another. But here are some common signs that your hormones might be imbalanced:
- hot flashes and night sweats
- weight gain
- vaginal dryness or pain during sex
- difficulty getting pregnant
Hormones also have a big effect on your mental health. So if theyre imbalanced, some other signs might include:
- mood swings
- anxiety and depression
Ways To Naturally Balance Your Hormones
Hormonal imbalances are common in todays day and age, because of our fast-paced lifestyles and poor food and exercise habits.
However, there are ways to naturally keep your hormones balanced. Here are some tips that will help you get started:
A nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle choices may help keep your hormonal health in check. However, consult your doctor and discuss a way forward for your diet.
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What Kind Of Doctors Treat Hormonal Imbalances
Primary healthcare providers can diagnose and help you manage many hormonal imbalances, but you may benefit from seeing an endocrinologist.
An endocrinologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in endocrinology, a field of medicine that studies conditions related to your hormones. They can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment and management plans and prescribe medication.
But First What Are Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the various endocrine organs/glands in the body or the endocrine system.
Some hormones are produced by other tissues that normally are not classified as endocrine glands such as the GI tract and the GI Mucosa which produces hormones such as gastrin, gastrone, secretin, cholecystokinin, that are important for digestion.
The Kidneys also has an endocrine role as they produce erythropoietin, a hormone important for producing blood cells.
Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands and each hormone has a certain job to do
Hormones also work in concert with the nervous system and drive the function of cells and organs in the body.
The brain endocrine communication regulates mood, stress levels and responses, energy, and metabolism as well as energy balance, influencing weight, and even sex drive.
There are many hormones which also work in concert with each other.
That orchestrated action can sometimes cause complications when one hormone imbalance affects other hormones, organs, and cell functions.
Then a cascade of events is initiated when one hormone gets out of whack.
When the choreography of these orchestrated hormonal relationships gets messed up, and some hormones run amok while others fall off the rails, a hormonal imbalance state then exists.
This, in turn, causes metabolic dysfunction and other health problems.
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Do Hormonal Changes Happen Frequently In Women
Proper hormone secretion helps women stay active, have a regular menstrual cycle, sleep well, stay energetic, maintain a healthy weight, and look fresh and young. But the fact is that many women are bothered by hormonal imbalance sometimes during their life. The body may develop health issues for other reasons, but erratic hormonal secretions can disturb the normal health pattern of women. Most of the changes in the body happen when the woman reaches puberty. Even a small change in quantity can have serious side effects on the body organs.
Maintain A Moderate Weight
Weight gain is directly associated with hormonal imbalances that may lead to complications in insulin sensitivity and reproductive health.
Obesity is strongly related to the development of insulin resistance, while losing excess weight is linked to improvements in insulin resistance and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease .
Obesity is also associated with hypogonadism, a reduction or absence of hormone secretion from the testes or ovaries. In fact, this condition is one of the most relevant hormonal complications of obesity in men .
This means obesity is strongly related to lower levels of the reproductive hormone testosterone in men and contributes to a lack of ovulation in women, both of which are common causes of infertility .
Nonetheless, studies indicate that weight loss may reverse this condition. Eating within your own personal calorie range can help you maintain hormonal balance and a moderate weight .
Summary
Maintaining a moderate weight is crucial for hormone health, as obesity is strongly related to hormonal imbalances that may impair insulin sensitivity and fertility.
26 ).
For example, when your gut microbiome ferments fiber, it produces short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Both acetate and butyrate aid weight management by increasing calorie burning and thus help prevent insulin resistance (
27 ).
Here are some tips to improve your gut bacteria to positively affect your hormones.
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What Conditions Are Caused By Hormonal Imbalances
Dozens of medical conditions are caused by hormone issues. For most hormones, having too much or too little of them causes symptoms and issues with your health. While many of these imbalances require treatment, some can be temporary and may go away on their own. Some of the most common hormone-related conditions include:
# Detox Bath Using Epsom Salt
Take a relaxing bath with Epsom salt. Epsom salts have magnesium which helps with hormonal balance especially because magnesium is essential in insulin balance.
The skin is one of the largest body organs and it is permeable, so it will absorb magnesium and then magnesium will draw toxins out of the body.
It is a win-win situation, as the body and mind relax, and you gain magnesium, an element that the body needs for many other functions including cardiac and nerve health. See here for more on magnesium and mental health.
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What Can I Do About It
The topic of hormonal imbalance is so broad that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Its really important that you get to the root cause of the issue rather than implementing band-aid solutions. That said, here are some dietary and lifestyle modifications that can make great strides in supporting your bodys innate healing ability to improve such imbalances:
Love your liver
Hormones are metabolised and excreted by the liver. By supporting liver detoxification you can help clear excess hormones and prevent them from recirculating in your bloodstream.How to: reduce caffeine & alcohol intake, increase consumption of bitter wholefoods .
Stress less
A big ask in todays world, I know! But I cannot emphasise this enough stress is the CORE of so many hormonal imbalances. When we are chronically stressed our endocrine system cannot function effectively. In my practice, I am an advocate for finding small ways to chip away at stress levels that are achievable in your daily life. Walk to work. Do 10 minutes of breathing or mindfulness before bed. Swap one coffee for herbal tea. Socialise. Find two small changes you can implement and do it NOW.
Eat more fibre
Get more sleep
Herbal support
Hormonal testing
Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Weight Gain
Yes, certain hormone imbalances can cause weight gain, including:
- Hypothyroidism: This condition happens when you have low levels of thyroid hormone, which causes your metabolism to slow down. This can cause weight gain.
- Cushings syndrome: This is a rare condition that happens when your body has too much of a hormone called cortisol. It results in rapid weight gain in your face , belly, back of your neck and chest.
- Menopause: During menopause, many people assigned female at birth gain weight due to hormonal changes that cause their metabolism to slow down. Its important to remember that this type of hormonal imbalance is natural and an expected part of life.
Several other factors contribute to weight gain. If youre experiencing unexpected weight gain or are concerned about your weight, talk to your healthcare provider.
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