Causes, Symptoms, and Tips to Managing Your Hormone Levels
Hormones are chemical substances secreted by glands in our body. Simply, hormones act as messengers responsible for every body function. These messages instruct our organs what to do, therefore, maintaining our health and ensuring our body functions are working accordingly.
Your body has over fifty hormones circulating in your bloodstream. Hormones are responsible for your appetite, heart rate, temperature, energy levels, metabolism, and sexual functions. When you have a sufficient supply of hormones, and they are working in harmony with one another, you are not likely to notice them. However, if not balanced, you will experience significant health issues.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
Causes of hormonal imbalance are entirely dependent on which glands or hormones are impacted. Below are some of the causes of hormonal imbalance in both men and women:
- Pituitary tumors
- Certain medications
- Trauma or injury
- Treatment options for cancer like chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Stress
- Eating disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypogonadism
- Addison’s disease
- Diabetes insipidus
- High cortisol levels
There are certain causes of hormonal imbalance unique to women. The conditions are usually associated with reproductive hormones. They include:
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Hormonal drugs like birth control medications
- Pregnancy
- Premature menopause, also called primary ovarian insufficiency
- PCOS
Signs of Hormonal Imbalance
As stated earlier, you are not likely to notice your hormones if they are working properly. However, there are numerous health issues that will affect you if you have a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance refers to the state in which your body secretes fewer or more hormones than required. Certain hormones have varying effects on both men and women.
For instance, while men are more likely to experience a testosterone imbalance, women might experience a progesterone or estrogen imbalance. Signs of hormonal imbalance depend on which hormones do not work properly. Similarly, these signs vary based on gender and age. Below are common signs affecting both women and men:
- You feel thirsty more often
- Excessive sweating
- Blurred vision
- Depression
- Sudden and unexplained weight gain or loss
- Swelling, pain, or stiffness in your muscles
- Fat or a hump between your joints
- More frequent urination
- A decrease in your sex drive
- Pink or purple stretch marks
- Infertility
- Puffy or rounded face
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or nervous
- Brittle or thinning hair
- Brittle nails
- Dry skin
- Sleep issues
- Heightened sensitivity to heat or cold
- Fatigue
It is worth noting experiencing either of these symptoms is not a certain indication you have a hormonal imbalance. However, it is wise to consult with your primary care doctor if you experience either one or more of these symptoms.
Below are symptoms specific to males:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Trouble concentrating
- Losing your muscle mass
- Growth of breast tissue
- Decreased body hair and beard growth
- Breast tenderness
The following are symptoms unique to females:
- Loss of hair
- Irregular or heavy menstrual periods
- Headaches
- Experiencing pain during intercourse
- Vaginal dryness
- Excess hair growth on your chin, face, or other body parts
- Darkening of your skin mostly in your groin, beneath your breasts, or your neck creases
- Vaginal atrophy
- Night sweats
- Skin tags
- Failure of breast tissue development among young girls
Treatment
It is evident hormones play a crucial role in our growth, development, and normal body functioning as human beings. Simply managing your hormone levels play a crucial role in ensuring you live a healthy life. It is normal to experience hormonal imbalance at one point in your lifetime. Lifestyle and age are among the factors that affect hormonal imbalance.
There are prescription treatments that facilitate hormonal balance. However, you should consult with an endocrinologist before using these treatments. Dr. Smitha Mantha, a hormone treatment expert in Westchase, recommends the following natural measures for optimal hormone levels:
- Manage your stress levels
Stress contributes to a spike in cortisol and adrenaline levels. Stress may disrupt your hormone levels leading to conditions like obesity and cardiovascular complications.
- Get adequate sleep
Hormone levels may rise or drop in response to the quality of your sleep. Primary care experts recommend you sleep seven to nine hours each day. You are also advised to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Ingest plenty of fiber
Fibers regulate levels of hormones like insulin. Research has proven fiber is essential for balancing hormones responsible for maintaining healthy body weight.
- Stop smoking tobacco
Avoid smoking tobacco since it stimulates pituitary hormones, raises hormonal steroid levels, and alters your thyroid hormones’ levels, causing hormonal imbalance.
- Ingest a lot of fatty fish
A diet rich in fatty fish helps avoid mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Omega-3 found in fish is essential for maintaining your mood levels.
- Exercise
For years, experts have found there are numerous health benefits associated with exercise. Regular physical exercise helps regulate appetite hormones and prevent metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and health complications like type 2 diabetes.
In conclusion, hormones play a crucial role in ensuring we live a healthy and productive life. It is normal to experience hormonal imbalance; however, participating in healthy practices like exercising and eating healthy helps avert this risk. For more information on managing your hormone levels, visit us at Crosspointe Medical Clinic.