If you’ve read about the different ways to balance your hormones, you will know that these control your moods, your physical reactions, and even your personality. They are essential for normal growth and development. An imbalance can be triggered by a number of factors including genetic predisposition, stress, medical conditions like diabetes, or diseases like hypothyroidism.
That’s why many women are looking for ways to balance their hormones naturally. What exactly do these hormones do? And how can you boost them in your body once again? Here is everything you need to know about hormone imbalance and its various causes, effects, symptoms, and treatment procedures.
What is Hormone Imbalance?
A hormone imbalance is often the cause of a number of physical illnesses and psychological conditions. In women, the most common imbalance is a deficiency in progesterone and estrogen which can lead to PMS, infertility, and menopause symptoms.
Hormones are essential for your body’s health. When your levels fall out of whack, you may experience symptoms that affect your mood, energy levels, and even your general well-being. A hormone imbalance is what happens when your body begins producing too much or too little of one or more important hormones.
Hormone imbalances can be caused by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle habits, age, diet, and stress.
What Causes Hormone Imbalance?
There are many reasons for hormone imbalance, but the most common cause is a decline in the production of these hormones as we age. However, there are other possible triggers that could lead to hormone imbalance such as an unhealthy lifestyle, certain medications, and certain diseases. Hormones like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor are produced in the body. These hormones play an important role in many of our bodily functions. And when there’s a lack of these hormones due to imbalances, we start experiencing symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and more.
The following are some of the most common causes of hormone imbalance in women:
- Genetic factors
- Age
- Medical conditions
- Diet and nutrition
- Environment
- Stress
How Does Hormone Imbalance Affect Women?
Hormone imbalance can have adverse effects on the body which may include fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, low libido, difficulty with fertility, and more. It is important to understand the connection between hormones and these physical and mood-related health issues so that you can take the necessary steps to prevent or treat hormone imbalance.
The main hormones that can be affected due to hormone imbalance are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor. Estrogen and progesterone are important for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle and ovulation. A drop in estrogen or progesterone levels can affect the menstrual cycle.
When there is a decrease in estrogen or progesterone, it can lead to a condition known as hot flushes or night sweats. Hot flushes are sudden feelings of warmth in the upper chest and face, followed by sweating and chills. A drop in testosterone levels in women can lead to increased fat around the abdomen, loss of muscle, and changes in the skin, hair, and nails.
How to Balance Hormones Naturally?
Hormone imbalance is something that all people will experience to some degree as they age, but it can also be triggered at any time due to external factors, such as diet and stress. When your body experiences a drop in estrogen and progesterone, you could experience a host of unpleasant symptoms. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to keep your hormones in balance, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Practicing stress reduction
- Controlling your environment
- Getting enough sleep
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding certain risk factors
Before you begin any hormone imbalance treatment, you should categorize your hormone imbalance as primary or secondary. This tells you how far along the process of hormone imbalance is in your body. Additionally, you should take note of how symptoms are impacting your life.
Primary hormone imbalance is often the result of genetics. You might have a family history of hormone imbalance or an imbalance caused by previous medical conditions. Secondary hormone imbalance is typically caused by environmental factors, like diet and stress. Because secondary imbalance is often easier to correct, it’s often addressed with lifestyle changes rather than hormonal replacement therapy, or HRT. This can vary from person to person, so it’s important to speak with a medical professional to determine the best solution for you.
Conclusion
Hormone imbalance is something that affects many people, both men, and women. While it is completely normal for hormone levels to fluctuate throughout your life, it can be difficult to manage during certain times in your life, like during menopause. Luckily, there are a number of ways to prevent and treat hormone imbalance.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get tested for hormone imbalance. There are a number of ways to treat hormone imbalance, including lifestyle changes, medication, and hormone replacement therapy, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
