What is hormone imbalance?
A hormone imbalance occurs when there are too much or too little of a certain hormone in your body. Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that regulate many of your body's processes from mood to metabolism. When these get out of balance, you may experience symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
Some common causes of hormonal imbalances include:
- Perimenopause and menopause - As women age, estrogen and progesterone production declines leading up to and during menopause. This fluctuating hormone production causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and more.
- Thyroid disorders - The thyroid gland controls your body's metabolism. Both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroids can throw hormones off balance.
- Stress - Chronic stress leads to elevated cortisol levels over time, which can impact reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and more.
- Poor diet and lack of exercise - Eating a nutritious, balanced diet and getting regular activity helps regulate hormone levels. Poor lifestyle habits disrupt hormonal balance.
- Chronic conditions - Diabetes, autoimmune disorders, tumors, and other chronic diseases influence hormone production and function.
If you think you may have a hormonal imbalance, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a specialist like an endocrinologist. They can run blood tests to check your hormone levels and help diagnose any underlying conditions. Once identified, there are treatments available to help restore balance:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - HRT provides the hormones that your body lacks through pills, patches, gels and more. It is often used to treat menopausal symptoms.
- Medications - Birth control pills, thyroid medications, cortisol drugs and others can rectify specific hormonal imbalances.
- Lifestyle changes - Improving your diet, managing stress, getting quality sleep and exercising helps hormones function optimally.
The hormones experts at Optimal Hormone Solutions Health and Wellness offer specialized care for hormonal issues in men and women. Their comprehensive treatment plans couple bioidentical hormone therapy with tailored lifestyle coaching to help you feel balanced from the inside out. Reach out today to learn more or book a hormone balance consultation!