6 Signs You May Have Hormonal Issues (and How to Solve It)
6 Signs You May Have Hormonal Issues (and How to Solve It)
Hormone imbalance affects just about everyone at some point in their life. Whether it occurs during adolescence or pregnancy or menopause or otherwise, it can have seismic physical and psychological effects.
Wondering whether you’re suffering from hormonal issues? Curious as to how hormone issues present themselves? Then read on. We’re going to cover 6 of the most common signs below.
You’re Regularly Suffering Mood Swings
Perhaps the most glaring sign of hormonal issues is mood swings. If you go from happy to sad or irritable at a moment’s notice, there’s a good chance that chemicals are at play.
There are many different hormones that can affect the mood. These include but aren’t limited to estrogen, serotonin, progesterone, and cortisol. If even one of these is imbalanced, mood swings could arise.
For instance, during pregnancy, a woman’s progesterone and estrogen levels are fluctuating almost constantly. As such, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to experiencing mood swings.
Note, however, that anyone can experience this problem. You don’t have to be pregnant, and you don’t have to be a woman. Hormones fluctuate for a variety of reasons and can have the same effect on everyone. But to complicate things even more, if you are a woman taking prescription medication for a mood disorder, it can cause low sex drive!
Wondering how you can fight mood swings? Start with regular exercise, a solid diet, and consistent sleep. Have our clinic test you also for vitamin B-12 deficiency, which when left untreated can also be a mood downer resulting sometimes in overall diminished health. And above all, find out about hormone replacement therapy.
You’re Experiencing Increased or Reduced Sexual Desire
Another way in which hormone imbalance presents itself is in increased or reduced sexual desire. Generally speaking, testosterone and estrogen are the hormones to blame. They are, respectively, the male and female sex hormones, after all.
This is why depression often leads to a reduced interest in sex. Those with depression tend to also suffer from reduced testosterone (and yes, this reduction in testosterone can happen in women)! As such, depression and reduced sexual desire are strongly linked. In clinical terms, when someone’s libido drops so severely, medical researchers and professionals often refer to it as “hypoactive sexual desire disorder” (HSDD). The “hypo” in hypoactive means it’s a buried, dormant, or lower-than-low sex drive. Researchers think both the “psycho-relational and biologic aspects” of the disorder are important to understand when considering how to treat it successfully. In short, because a lower sex drive can result in or be correlated with depression, each problem can complicate the other. Patients and their doctors find it useful to combine hormone replacement with the “talking” cure well known in the counseling and psychological services.
Menopause often leads to reduced sexual desire in women. Why? Because it results in a reduction of both testosterone and estrogen.
There are, of course, a variety of other scenarios that can lead to reducing or increased sex hormone levels. These are just some of the most common.
In any case, if you’re suffering from this problem, you can start combating it through healthy lifestyle choices. Note, though, that in situations such as menopause, hormone replacement therapy might be needed.
You’re Having Insomnia
Have trouble falling asleep at night? Find it difficult to stay asleep after you’ve shut your eyes? If so, your hormones are likely to blame, and, in particular, testosterone and estrogen.
Insomnia is common in any of those who are experiencing major hormonal changes. So, whether you’re going through adolescence, or menopause, or pregnancy, or are experiencing a mental illness like depression, there’s a decent chance that you’re going to have trouble with sleep.
The fix? Exercise and a healthy diet are obviously important. But perhaps even more important is consistency, going to bed at the same time every night and keeping a similar schedule from one day to the next.
In some cases, psychological therapy will be beneficial. Apart from that, hormone replacement therapy is the best option. It will restore your testosterone and estrogen to normal levels, promoting deep and undisturbed sleep.
You’ve Gained Weight for No Reason
Maybe you’ve put on a few pounds but aren’t sure why it’s happened? You’re eating the same, you’re getting the same amount of exercise, but the pounds are starting to pile on.
What might the problem be? Hormonal imbalance!
There are a wide variety of hormones that can cause you to gain weight. These include but aren’t limited to estrogen, insulin, cortisol, and testosterone. If even one of these hormones is imbalanced, weight gain could be a result.
How do you reverse this problem? Well, you could switch up your diet and exercise routine. In some cases, the body will get used to its current treatment and will demand a new one.
But if that doesn’t prove fruitful, there’s really only one other option: hormone replacement therapy. This therapy will restore your hormones to their optimal levels, allowing your metabolism to work at max capacity. Your doctors and clinicians will work together to test and evaluate your levels in planning your treatment. This is important for anyone seeking hormone testing and treatment. Two prominent authors of the recent book Hormone Replacement Therapy advocate that because of the risks of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis, “the duration of treatment of these hormones should not be more than a few years, and close monitoring is required. If the female has mild symptoms of menopause, then education should be provided about the benefits and harm of these hormones”.
You’re Unexpectedly Losing Hair
Up to this point, you’ve never recognized any of your hair loss. Sure, it might have been falling out, but slowly and steadily. Now, however, you’re running your hands through your hair and coming up with bundles of it.
What might the problem be? While there’s no definitive way to say, in all likelihood, it has to do with your hormones.
There are all types of hormones that can contribute to hair loss. These include estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, in addition to the thyroid hormones.
How do you counteract this problem? Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial. So too can hair restoration treatments.
You’re Sweating More Than Usual
The last sign you’re going to want to look out for is unusually high perspiration. If you’re sweating more than you usually do, there’s a reasonably good chance that your hormones are to blame.
This is why menopausal and pregnant women so commonly experience night sweats and hot flashes. Their hormones are irregulated and are therefore causing temperature regulation problems within the body.
Note, though it’s not as common, in some cases, hormones can cause the body to grow colder. This could result in cold feet and hands, and might even cause the body to take on a chilled sensation.
If you’re suffering from either one of these symptoms, hormone replacement therapy might be a good option for you. You should, of course, make sure that your diet and exercise are in check as well.
Are You Dealing With Hormonal Issues?
Now that you know the common signs of hormonal issues, you might realize that you’re, indeed, suffering from them yourself. If so, and if you’re in need of treatment, Hormones Weight Loss has you covered.
We offer a variety of treatments designed to balance the hormone system. Learn about our hormone replacement therapy now!
