Are your hormones out of balance?

 

Hormones are chemical messengers that communicate information to every area of our body, adapting and responding to our needs. When we think of “hormone imbalances” we often think of our sex hormones; estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. However, hormones are produced by endocrine glands and encompass the adrenals, thyroid, pancreas along with the ovaries or testes. There are many things that can throw off your hormone levels, like

  • Stress

  • Diet

  • Medications

  • Age

  • Environmental Factors

  • Exposure to Chemicals

We can go through life thinking that our symptoms related to hormonal imbalances are just “normal” and part of the life we life. Identifying and correcting hormone levels help to correct these symptoms, maintain health, energy, longevity, and prevent the onset of chronic disease.

Here are the top signs and symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance:

1. Weight Gain and Weight Fluctuations.

The thyroid is considered our “master gland” and affects practically every cell in our body and regulates our metabolic rate. Research has shown that hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, can cause excess weight as it slows metabolic processes.

Along with low thyroid function, we are often stressed which causes our cortisol levels to rise signaling our body to consume more calories and store more fat. Insulin, another weight hormone influencer, regulates your blood sugar levels by being secreted in response to glucose.

Having too much estrogen or not enough progesterone can also be the driving force behind weight gain. Many women struggle with weight despite cutting back on certain foods, working out or doing “everything they should be doing” to see a small change. It may be time to seek a thorough evaluation of your hormones to find the root cause of your weight gain.

2. Trouble Sleeping or Fatigue

Sleep is a huge part of rest and restoration for our bodies. Insomnia, especially if it is persistent, can be related to your hormones. When we fail to get adequate amount of sleep, our cortisol levels can increase. This keeps us awake and moving through the day. While this may be necessary short-term, long term sleep disturbances and elevated cortisol levels can disrupt our natural circadian rhythm. This can leave you with feel fatigued throughout the day and unable to sleep during the night. Adrenal Fatigue and Hypothyroidism can be at the root cause of your insomnia. Sleep is necessary for energy and vitality.

3. Skin and Hair Changes

The quality of our skin and hair has a direct correlation with your hormone levels. When hormone levels are off, you can develop skin problems such as dryness, acne, fine lines, wrinkles and rosacea. Thyroid abnormalities may cause dry hair or skin, thinning hair, hair loss and brittle nails.

4. Low Sex Drive

Your levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuate throughout the month and in response to the activity of other hormones.  Because of this, low levels of estrogen can diminish your sex drive. Women may experience vaginal dryness that can lead to painful intercourse and unstable mood and sleep patterns. Testosterone also is a big factor. Testosterone is just as important to women, as it is men. Testosterone levels naturally decline in women after menopause. Low levels can contribute to the reduction of arousal and sexual response. Progesterone can also affect your sex drive and should be evaluated when detecting hormonal imbalances.

If these symptoms are something that you deal with, seeking the help of an integrative medical provider can be helpful to explore if a hormone imbalance is at the root cause of your symptoms. We, at Tru Wellness, are able to help you dig through the interconnectedness between your symptoms and the root cause finding you natural treatments to help correct your hormone imbalances.

 
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