I think as women we accept when we don’t feel our best and push through so when someone mentions the words – Hormone Balance – it feels overwhelming and instinctively we go “Yeah, probably but I don’t have time for that.” If your labs are normal and your doctor says everything is fine and dismisses your concerns, keep reading.
Hormone imbalances can be tricky to detect, as the symptoms may vary from woman to woman. You may have a hormone imbalance but dismiss your symptoms as normal or inevitable consequences of aging and stress. However, if left untreated, hormone imbalances lead to health problems! Read on if you have unexplained weight gain, hair loss, acne, mood swings, menstrual irregularities, and even infertility.
Hormone Imbalance RED FLAGS you need to look out for
- When you’re tired after sleeping – you could be over producing cortisol
- When you gain weight easily – this once again could be cortisol but also a hormone imbalance with your thyroid
- When you’re moody and anxious – this could be an estrogen imbalance
- When you don’t eliminate regularly – this could be a progesterone imbalance but once again also a thyroid imbalance
- When you’re “puffy” (inflamed) – this could be an imbalance with one or all: estrogen, progesterone or thyroid
Are you always tired?
When you’re feeling the fatigue that comes after a night of poor sleep, it could be due to your body producing too much cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can leave you feeling exhausted and drained if produced in excess. To minimize these effects, try simple lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep each night, and sticking to an appropriate schedule so your body can recover. Additionally, eating a healthy diet and engaging in stress-relieving activities like yoga or mindfulness meditation can help reduce cortisol levels so you don’t feel fatigued.
Are you gaining weight?
Hormonal imbalances can make it hard to lose weight or even cause weight gain. Estrogen dominance, for example, is associated with weight gain around the hips and thighs, while progesterone deficiency can lead to an increase in belly fat. Growth hormone, which regulates metabolism and muscle growth, can also be affected by hormonal imbalances. Struggling to maintain a healthy weight? Feel like you’ve tried everything else? It may be time to investigate the possibility of a hormonal imbalance.
Do you have fatigue and mood swings?
If you’re feeling constantly tired and irritable, hormone imbalances could be to blame. Everything from your mood, energy, and sleep quality can lead to fatigue and mood swings from an imbalance. Estrogen, for example, has been linked to serotonin levels. Those levels can regulate mood and appetite. Low levels of estrogen? That might get you a dip in those serotonin levels, causing mood swings, irritability, and even depression. If you’re feeling out of sorts and more fatigued than usual, it may be time to have your hormone levels checked!
Do you have irregular bowel movements?
Are you getting enough magnesium and vitamin B6? Magnesium and B6 can help to restore progesterone levels as well as encourage regular elimination. Regular exercise, yoga and meditation can also be beneficial for restoring balance within the body.
Are you getting enough fiber? Fiber and water are essential for having regular bowel movements. Exercise can also help keep things running smoothly as physical activity helps the digestive system work efficiently. Additionally, try avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats or processed sugars, as these can slow down your digestive process.
Are you inflamed?
If you’re feeling “puffy” (inflamed), it could be the result of an imbalance in one or all: estrogen, progesterone, and/or thyroid. Androgens, a group of male hormones present in women as well, can increase oil production in the skin. And more oil production leads to clogged pores and acne outbreaks. Hormonal imbalances can also affect the skin’s sensitivity to natural bacteria.
Hormone imbalances can affect women of all ages! You may suffer serious health issues if left untreated – so don’t leave them untreated! It’s worth doing a Google search for a local functional medicine doctor to work with so they can test and not guess what your root causes are! Hope this was helpful ladies!
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