HORMONAL IMBALANCE

DESCRIPTION

• Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little hormone present in the bloodstream. 
• Hormones have an essential role in the body, even small hormonal imbalances can cause side effects throughout the body. 
• These hormones are produced by glands present in the endocrine system. 
• Hormones travel through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, pass the messages that tell the organs what to do and when to do it. 
• These are important to regulating bodily processes, so little imbalance in hormones can affect a wide range of bodily functions. 

• Hormones help to regulate:

• Metabolism and appetite
• Heart rate
• Sleep cycles
• Reproductive cycles and sexual function
• General growth and development
• Mood and stress levels
• Body temperature

• Men and women can be affected by the imbalances of insulin, growth hormones, steroids and adrenaline.
• Women experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, while men experience imbalances in testosterone levels.

Signs or symptoms of a hormonal imbalance

• Common hormonal conditions that affecting both men and women could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
• Weight gain
• A hump of fat between the shoulders 
• Unexplained, and sudden weight loss, 
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness,
• Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness, 
• Pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints,
• Increased or decreased heart rate 
• Sweating 
• Increased sensitivity to cold or heat,  
• Constipation or more frequents bowel movements, 
• Frequent urination, 
• Increased hunger, 
• Decreased sex drive, 
• Depression,
• Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability, 
• Blurred vision, 
• Infertility,
• Thinning of hairs, brittle hair,
• Dry skin,
• Puffy face,
• Rounded face,
• Purple or pink stretch marks 
• Keep in mind that these symptoms are nonspecific, and having them doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance.

Signs and symptoms in females

• For females of reproductive age, the most common hormonal imbalance seen is polycystic ovarian disorder. 
• The normal hormonal cycle also changes during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance include:

• Heavy or irregular periods, including missed periods, stop periods, or frequent periods. 
• Hirsutism or excessive hair on the face, chin, or other parts of the body
• Acne on the face, chest, or upper back
• Hair loss
• Darkening of the skin along neck creases, groin, and underneath of breasts
• Skin tags
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal atrophy
• Pain during sex
• Night sweats
• Headaches

Signs or symptoms in males

• Testosterone plays an important role in male development. If not producing enough testosterone, it can cause a variety of symptoms.
• Gynecomastia 
• Breast tenderness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Decrease in beard growth and body hair growth
• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of bone mass, otherwise known as osteoporosis 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hot flashes 

Signs or symptoms in children

• Both girls and boys producing sex hormones during puberty. 
• Many children with delayed puberty will go on to experience normal puberty, but some man’s and women’s production of testosterone and estrogen are inhibited such a condition is known as hypogonadism.

Boys with hypogonadism may experience:

• Lack of muscle mass development
• A voice that doesn’t deepen
• Body hair that grows sparsely
• Impaired penis and testicular growth
• Gynecomastia

For girls with hypogonadism:

• Menstruation doesn’t begin
• Breast tissue doesn’t develop
• The growth rate doesn’t increase

Causes of a hormonal imbalance

• There are many causes for hormonal imbalance. Causes are different depending on which hormones or glands are affected. Common causes of hormonal imbalance include:
• Hormone therapy
• Medications
• Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy 
• Tumors, whether cancerous or benign 
• Pituitary tumors
• Eating disorders
• Stress
• Injury or trauma
• The conditions can also lead to further hormonal imbalances:
• Diabetes type 1 or type 2
• Diabetes insipidus
• Hypothyroidism 
• Hyperthyroidism 
• Hyper functioning thyroid nodules  
• Thyroiditis
• Hypogonadism
• Cushion syndrome or high levels of cortisol
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia causes low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
• Addison’s disease 

HOW CAN BALANCE THESE HORMONES NATURALLY

Get enough sleep 

• Sleep is the most important factor for hormonal balance. Some hormone levels may rise and fall throughout the day in response to issues such as the quality of sleep.
• The adverse effects of sleep disturbance on hormones may contribute to:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Problems with appetite
• Regularly getting a full 6- 8 sleep, undisturbed sleep, and night rest may help the body to regulate hormone levels.

Avoid too much light at night

• Exposure to blue light, such as from cell phones or computer screens, can interrupt the sleep cycle.
• Study shows that exposure to any bright artificial lighting at night may confuse the body, causing it to suppress the hormone melatonin, which can negatively affect many functions.
• Avoiding artificial lights may help to regulate hormones and restore a natural body’s clock.

Manage stress

• There is a link between stress, the endocrine system, and hormone levels. 
• Stress leads to an increase in adrenaline and cortisol hormones. 
• If levels of these hormones are too high, it can impair the overall balance and contribute to factors such as obesity, changes in mood, and cardiovascular issues.
• It is important to find ways to reduce stress simply by listening to music reduces stress, especially if the person is intending to relax.

Exercise 

• Regular exercise may prevent overeating and hormonal imbalance. A study shows that short exercise sessions regulate hormones that control appetite.

Avoid sugars

• Sugar plays a role in issues such as metabolic disease and insulin resistance. Avoid sugar from the diet helps to keeps the hormone in level including insulin.

Eat lots of fiber

• Fiber plays an important role in gut health and regulates hormones such as insulin.