What is hormone imbalance?
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many processes in the body. They are produced by various glands and organs including the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes and pituitary gland. Hormone imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Some common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
- Irregular periods or absence of periods - This can be caused by imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, FSH or LH.
- Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant - Hormone imbalances can affect ovulation, sperm production and libido.
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight - Thyroid hormone imbalance and cortisol imbalance can slow down metabolism.
- Fatigue - Low thyroid, low cortisol and low testosterone can all cause fatigue.
- Low libido - Imbalances in testosterone, estrogen or progesterone can affect sex drive.
- Depression or anxiety - Estrogen imbalance, low testosterone and high cortisol levels can contribute to mood disorders.
- Hair loss - High testosterone levels can cause hair thinning in women. Low thyroid can also cause hair loss.
- Acne - High testosterone levels cause increased oil production and breakouts.
Some common causes of hormone imbalance include:
- Poor diet - Eating lots of processed foods and sugar causes blood sugar and insulin imbalances. Being deficient in key nutrients can affect hormone levels.
- High stress levels - Chronic stress increases cortisol and lowers testosterone and thyroid hormones.
- Lack of exercise - Being sedentary causes hormone changes that affect metabolism.
- Pregnancy and menopause - Hormone levels fluctuate naturally during these times.
- Chronic conditions - Diabetes, autoimmune disease, tumors, hypothalamic disorders, etc.
- Medications - Birth control pills, steroids and certain other drugs impact hormones.
If you suspect a hormone imbalance, get your levels tested by an endocrinologist or hormone specialist like Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic. They can run blood work and saliva tests to check your DHEA, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, T3, T4, TSH, insulin, leptin, IGF-1. Based on test results, they can recommend lifestyle changes and bioidentical hormone therapy to restore optimal balance.
Some tips to naturally balance hormones include:
- Eat a nutritious whole foods diet
- Manage stress with meditation, yoga, etc.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid endocrine disruptors in foods and products
- Take targeted supplements like maca, zinc, magnesium
Hormone imbalances can significantly impact your health. Don't ignore ongoing symptoms - get tested and treated early for best results! The experts at Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic can help you feel your best by restoring hormonal harmony in the body. Book a consultation today to start your journey towards optimal wellness!