What is hormone imbalance?
Hormones are extremely important chemical messengers that regulate many essential bodily functions. A hormone imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a certain hormone in the bloodstream. This can happen for various reasons:
- Dysfunction of the endocrine glands that produce hormones
- Issues with hormone receptors receiving messages
- Problems transporting or metabolizing hormones
Some common signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance include:
- Changes in mood or cognition
- Trouble sleeping
- Low energy and fatigue
- Changes in libido
- Weight fluctuations
- Skin issues like acne
Hormone issues can originate in various glands and affect both men and women. However, some key hormones that frequently become imbalanced are:
Estrogen
- Low estrogen causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone loss, mood changes
- Too much estrogen is linked to some cancers, thyroid dysfunction
Progesterone
- Too little progesterone causes amenorrhea, infertility, PCOS
- Excess progesterone has been associated with depression, sleepiness
Testosterone
- Low testosterone causes low libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle loss
- High testosterone leads to aggression, infertility, hair growth
Thyroid
- Both too much (hyperthyroidism) and too little (hypothyroidism) thyroid hormone cause weight changes, fatigue, hair loss
Cortisol - Also called the "stress hormone"
- Chronically high cortisol from long-term stress causes weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes risk
- Low cortisol levels cause fatigue, low blood pressure, nausea
Insulin - Manages blood sugar
- Chronic high insulin increases diabetes risk
- Low insulin causes hypoglycemia with fatigue, confusion, shaking, sweating
Lifestyle measures like diet, exercise, stress management, and high-quality sleep can help improve hormone balance. But medications or hormone therapy may be necessary if lifestyle changes don't resolve symptoms.
Working with a doctor who understands hormones to get tested and find the root cause of your symptoms is key to restoring optimal hormonal health and vitality! Let me know if you have any other questions.