Hormones act as messengers. They transmit messages to your cells, telling you how your body should behave and function. Your body can become confused if it produces too many hormones or too few. This is called a hormone imbalance.
Hormone imbalances may cause many symptoms. However, it is sometimes difficult to identify the cause. This is because hormones have a profound impact on our bodies. However, doctors and researchers still don’t know enough about their workings. Here are the most obvious signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance.
1. Periods that are irregular
WebMD states that women experience their period every 21-35 days. If your periods become irregular or you feel it, this could indicate a hormonal imbalance, such as too little or too much estrogen.
Talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your menstrual cycle. These changes could also indicate other health issues, such as premenstrual syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome.
2. Trouble sleeping
A hormone imbalance could cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. WebMD says that progesterone is essential for a restful night. Low estrogen levels can lead to night sweats and hot flashes, which can make it difficult to fall asleep.
3. Weight loss
There are many factors that can cause weight gain. Experts believe estrogen drops can cause weight gain. This is because you feel less irritable or down, which makes it easier to eat. WebMD states that estrogen drops can also cause a decrease in the hormone leptin, which regulates your body’s food intake.
4. Breast changes
You should also visit your doctor regularly to check your breasts. WebMD states that if your breast tissue becomes less dense, it could indicate a decrease in estrogen. An increase in estrogen could cause breast lumps or cysts. These should always be checked by a doctor.
5. Severe acne
Everybody gets acne at some point in their lives, particularly women who are going through menstrual cycles. WebMD says that chronic acne could indicate excess androgen hormones. These hormones are often called’male’ hormones even though they can also be produced by women. Excessive androgen can lead to oily skin, which can lead to acne.
6. Stomach problems
An estrogen imbalance can cause havoc in your body, including your stomach if you don’t know. WebMD explains how estrogen and progesterone impact the cells of your stomach that process food. A lack of these hormones can lead to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even bowel problems.
7. Chronic fatigue
A thyroid hormone imbalance could cause you to feel tired and foggy all of the time. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. A simple blood test can help determine if you have a thyroid problem.
8. Lower libido
Low libido is thought to mean low estrogen. WebMD explains that low testosterone, the’male sex hormone’, is what causes a lower level of libido.
9. Headaches
The brain is complex, and hormones can cause headaches. Doctors still don’t understand how they affect it. Livestrong says that progesterone and estrogen can cause headaches, particularly in women who are just starting to have periods. If you notice a change in the frequency of your periods, this could indicate a hormonal imbalance.
10. Memory problems
Are you often forgetful? Although it might seem like an inconvenience, this could indicate a larger problem, such as a cortisol imbalance. Over long periods of stress, cortisol (the hormone that is released when you are stressed) can have a significant impact on your adrenal glands. This can cause cognitive problems such as memory loss or difficulty focusing. Talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
