What causes hormone imbalance?
Hormone problems are very common, so if you believe you are suffering from hormone imbalance, know that you are not alone. There are several reasons your body can go out of control. These include, but are not limited to menopause, pregnancy, menstruation, contraception, lifestyle changes and medical problems.
Signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance
1. Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
This may be caused by a significant decrease in the hormone progesterone just before the start of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels decrease significantly after giving birth. Progesterone helps with relaxation, so when there is a deficiency, it can cause restlessness and sleep disorders.
2. Resistant and Persistent Acne
Many women ‘breakout’ right before their period or at the onset of menopause, due to hormonal fluctuations. However, if you suffer from persistent acne, then it could be a result of high levels of androgens like testosterone, which is an indication of low levels of progesterone. Testosterone stimulates the production of sebum, which is trapped underneath the skin clogging the pores and causing skin acne.
3. Memory Fog and Difficulty Concentrating
Forgetfulness and memory lapses are also symptoms of hormone imbalance. As a response to stress, the body produces the hormone Cortisol, which is known to disrupt cognitive abilities and memory function.
4. Eating Disorder
If your appetite suddenly spirals out of control, it may be because of hormone imbalance. The body increases the production of Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, when we are sleep deprived. Ghrelin stimulates the appetite. Women going through menopause tend to produce higher levels of this hormone.
5. Digestive Problems
Stress hormones affect us in several ways. Increased production of the stress hormone Cortisol is one common way. In addition to weight gain, overproduction of cortisol can lead to digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
6. Fatigue
If you feel exhausted on a regular basis, then you could be suffering from a condition known as hypothyroidism, which is a term used for thyroid hormone deficiency. Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism, therefore, hypothyroidism can affect heart rate and energy production.
7. Mood Swings and Depression
Mood swings, anxiety and depression are also common symptoms of hormone imbalance, which can be linked to menopause.
8. Weight Gain
We often believe that weight gain is a symptom of aging. Even though we are less active when we get older, there might be an underlying cause of a significant increase in weight. This, like many other symptoms, could be an indication of hormone imbalance.
9. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
If you frequently experience hot flashes and night sweats, this could mean either too much estrogen or too little progesterone.
10. Headaches and Migraines
If you suffer from frequent headaches and migraines, it could also mean hormone imbalance which could be connected to the menstrual cycle or menopause.
11. Vaginal Dryness
As women age, the reduction of estrogen levels affect the vaginal wall, which can cause vaginal dryness and make sex uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Even though this can be treated temporarily with lubricants and creams, it is important to understand and resolve the underlying issue.
12. Loss of Libido
Hormone imbalance can cause low sex drive in women, especially those going through menopause.
Diagnosing hormone imbalance
A comprehensive blood test is required to diagnose hormone imbalance. Talk to your physician or schedule a consultation at our women’s clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Learn more about our Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.
