Call Now8 Warning Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance
If you have been feeling blue, gaining weight, or experiencing sleepless nights and fatigue you might be experiencing a hormonal imbalance.
Hormones oversee numerous processes and functions in your body including reproduction, digestion, and hair growth, so when one of them is out of whack, you’ll experience sometimes debilitating symptoms.
Our team at Impact Medical Clearwater discusses the 8 warning signs of hormonal imbalances and what you should do if you are experiencing any of the symptoms.
The Problem with Hormonal Imbalances
When hormones are out of balance, they can have a serious impact on your entire wellbeing. This can occur due to natural aging, such as menopause, or because of abnormal production of a particular hormone.
Hormone imbalances are generally accompanied by a wide range of issues and symptoms so you will know when this happens. Depending on which hormone is in excess or not, you can suffer from a variety of symptoms.
These symptoms include:
#1. Irregular Periods
Individuals who menstruate generally expect to have a period every 24-38 days, lasting between 2 to 8 days. And although everyone is different, if your hormones are in balance, your period will likely fall in this range.
If you are suffering from irregular periods due to a hormonal imbalance, you may have a longer interval between your periods, you may bleed more or less each time, and the duration may vary greatly between cycles.
#2. Weight Loss or Gain
One of the many unpleasant symptoms of hormonal imbalances is weight gain or difficulty in losing weight. This may be due to PCOS, where your body produces extra levels of androgens that cause insulin resistance, or there could be an issue with your thyroid which can result in weight gain and rapid weight loss.
#3. Sleep Interruptions
If you are having problems falling and staying asleep, it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. If your progesterone levels have dropped dramatically, it can be hard to get a decent night’s sleep. Low estrogen levels can produce night sweats and hot flashes that make it hard to sleep too.
If you sleep well but always feel tired, your body may not be producing enough thyroid hormone, or your progesterone levels might be too high.
#4. Low Libido
Hormonal imbalances can cause a loss of sex drive in both men and women. Though low libido is most experienced during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause, between the ages of 40 and 55, hormone-related low libido can occur at younger ages as well.
Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can lead to a reduction in sex drive in women. Low testosterone can result in reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction in men.
#5. Mental Health Issues
Feeling down, depressed, or experiencing abnormal mood swings can be an indication of a hormonal imbalance as well. Estrogen impacts neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. Fluctuations in progesterone can cause anxiety.
Several other hormones can influence your mental health as well, so if you are feeling down or anxious, it is worth looking into your hormone levels.
#6. Fatigue
While fatigue can be caused by a disruption in sleep patterns, exercise, or food, hormonal changes in the brain can affect your thyroid and cause you to feel tired all the time.
Fatigue also can result from depression, which can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance.
#7. Digestion Problems
Many things can cause digestive issues, but because the stomach is lined with microscopic cells that respond to progesterone and estrogen, fluctuations in hormones can affect digestive functions.
A doctor will be able to determine what is causing your digestive problems, and if they find a relationship to your hormone levels, they can suggest a hormone treatment to help you feel better.
#8. Persistent Acne
While breakouts are common during menstruation, persistent or severe acne might indicate a hormonal imbalance. Due to high amounts of androgens, our oil glands can work overtime causing the skin to become oilier and cause severe acne and blocked pores.
Hormonal Replacement Therapy
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, come visit our clinic at Impact Medical Clearwater for a consultation with our hormone replacement therapy doctors. We can determine if a hormone imbalance is causing your issues and recommend a hormone replacement treatment plan so you can start feeling yourself again.
Better wellbeing starts here. Call Impact Medical Clearwater for a hormone replacement therapy consultation today; (727) 292-0200.
