8 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance You Probably Didn’t Know About

As someone who’s dealt with hormonal imbalances in the past, 

I can tell you firsthand that they’re not always easy to recognise. 

Sure, we all know about the classics like acne, mood swings, and irregular periods.

But there are a whole bunch of other weird symptoms that can creep up when your hormones are out of whack. 

Since hormonal imbalances can take many years to develop 

…and cause symptoms that look like other health conditions. 

Some women are totally unaware that they might have a problem. 

It pays to know when something is wrong.

Because a hormonal imbalance can lead to many health problems. 

Hormonal imbalance can happen to anyone. 

Learn how you can tell if your hormones need a tune-up

… and what steps to take to bring your hormones back into balance 

Quickly and naturally. 

Here are some possible early warning signs of a hormone imbalance that you’d be wise to watch out for:

1. Skin breakouts or itching

Hormonal imbalances can cause acne and other skin conditions. Acne is typically caused by testosterone, which is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. When testosterone levels go up, it can lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts. If you’re experiencing hormonal imbalances and acne, it might be time to think about natural ways to balance your hormones. Both B vitamins and the ayurvedic herb “shatavari” are great choices for women who want to naturally balance their hormones. Men can opt for ginseng and ashwagandha, along with B vitamins.

2. Brain fog or memory loss

You may have heard of brain fog, but you might not know that it can be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Brain fog is the term used to describe a general feeling of mental confusion and disorientation that can make it difficult to concentrate, think clearly and remember things. It’s more than just being tired or lacking sleep — brain fog is more like having your brain covered with a thick cloud that makes everything harder than it should be. You may also feel that your memory has turned to mush. You forget names, dates, and even basic facts that you used to know like the back of your hand. It’s like your brain has been wiped clean with an eraser.

    3. Fatigue

    Fatigue is a common symptom that can be caused by many different conditions. If you experience fatigue, it may be due to an underlying hormone imbalance such as low progesterone or low thyroid.  You can end up feeling like you’re always tired…except when it’s time to sleep. You drag yourself through the day like a zombie, but as soon as your head hits the pillow, your brain decides it’s time to party. It’s like your circadian rhythm has gone on vacation without you. Fatigue can be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Here are some of the most common causes:

    • Low progesterone levels: A lack of progesterone can cause symptoms such as insomnia and tiredness. Progesterone is produced by ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle and supports reproductive health. This hormone regulates mood, energy levels and metabolism along with other functions in the body. It also helps maintain bone density, skin elasticity and brain function.

    • Low thyroid hormones: Hypothyroidism is when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones (T4). This condition can cause fatigue along with other symptoms like weight gain and dry skin. Thyroid hormones control metabolism and help regulate body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate. If you have hypothyroidism,you can take iodine supplements to help boost the function of your thyroid.

    4. Bloating

    One of the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance is bloating. The reason many women experience bloating during menopause is that they’re lacking progesterone (a hormone made by the ovaries). This causes water retention, which makes you look and feel bloated. Another common cause of bloating is eating too much sodium, artificial sweeteners or sugar, which can make you retain water as well.

    5. Weight gain

    Weight gain is a common symptom of hormone imbalance. When your body is not functioning properly, it has a hard time regulating the many hormones that control your weight and metabolism, leading to a weight problem. It’s important to understand that when you gain weight, it’s not just from eating too much or exercising too little. There are other factors involved in the process of gaining weight that are beyond our control. 

    Stress can also contribute to weight gain if you don’t manage it properly. It’s important to find ways to reduce stress levels or engage in activities that help relieve stress – such as yoga or meditation. Stress affects how much you eat and whether you exercise or not. That’s because cortisol levels increase when you’re stressed out. This in turn, increases your appetite while suppressing your metabolism making it harder to burn off calories. Chamomile and ashwagandha are great herbs to reduce stress. Alongside essential oils like lavender oil, clary sage or sandalwood.

    6. Thinning hair

    It’s not uncommon for women to lose hair, especially when they’re going through menopause. But if you’re losing more than 100 strands a day, you may be suffering from an underlying health condition. Thinning hair can be a sign of a hormone imbalance. In fact, it’s one of the most common symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to 10% of women in the UK.

    What is PCOS?

    PCOS is a condition that causes small cysts to form on the ovaries, making it difficult for them to release eggs (ovulate). It also leads to irregular periods, low sex hormones and male-pattern baldness. The exact cause of PCOS isn’t known but scientists think it could be related to insulin resistance, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

     

    7. Sleep issues

    Hormones are chemical messengers that control many of our body’s functions, including sleep. They’re produced by glands and organs in our body, such as the brain and pituitary gland. Hormones can also be made by other tissues in the body, such as fat cells and the sex organs.

    Hormones are released into the bloodstream and travel to their target organs or tissues. 


    They cause changes in those target cells, which may affect how we feel or behave. For example, stress hormones like cortisol help us respond quickly to stress or danger by increasing our heart rate and blood pressure, while melatonin helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. Some hormones are released at certain times of day or night — like melatonin at night — while others stay active throughout 24 hours (like cortisol)..

    8. Sugar or other food cravings

    Suddenly, you can’t get enough of pickles, ice cream, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (hey, no judgment here). It’s like your taste buds have gone rogue and decided to experiment with new flavors. Sugar cravings are one of the most common symptoms of a hormone imbalance. And it’s not just women who have them. Men and children can have them too. Hormone imbalances can be caused by a number of different factors, including stress, diet, hormones and medications. You develop weird food cravings. 

    In order to determine the cause of your sugar cravings, it’s important to understand what they are. Sugar cravings are a strong desire for sweets or sugary foods. They’re usually associated with carbohydrates (bread, pasta, noodles and other grains). But some people crave protein (meat), fat (cheese) or both carbs and protein at the same time. Often it’s important to consume more healthy salts like sea salt or pink himalayan salt to tip the balance.

    In Conclusion

    Knowing the signs of hormonal imbalance can improve your quality of life. Oftentimes, these issues cannot be attributed to a single factor, but the general consensus is that hormonal imbalances cause most of these problems. However you experience them, hormones are important and you should be aware of the symptoms associated with imbalances so that you can fix them before they become more significant. The thyroid is probably the most well-known gland involved in hormone production, but there are many others. Each major gland in your body has an impact on your hormonal system. Consequently, the more balanced and healthy your hormone levels are, the better; but if they’re out of whack, there are ways to get things back on track!

     

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