5 Reasons You Could Be Experiencing Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is one of the leading health conditions affecting women in the United States. Women of all ages will experience some form of hormonal imbalance at some point in their life. Simply put, a hormonal imbalance occurs when hormone levels rise above or below their normal levels.

Hormones travel throughout the bloodstream and affect your entire body. Hormonal imbalances can affect your menstrual cycle, fertility, digestion, organ function, and overall health. If you’ve struggled to balance your hormones, here are some potential reasons.

Potential Causes for Hormone Imbalance

For women, it’s pretty natural and even expected for hormones to fluctuate at different points of their cycle. During puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, hormones undergo some of their most significant changes. However, some surefire signs indicate a more profound imbalance in hormones.

Though multiple factors lead to hormonal imbalance, here are the 5 most common:

1. An Unbalanced Diet

Though it may seem arbitrary, diet plays a huge role in hormone health. You must eat well and consistently. Overly-processed, low-quality foods will negatively impact hormone health, and Whole-foods diets are the best way to go for thriving hormones.

2. Excessive Stress

When your body produces too many stress hormones, this will affect hormone function. Stress can cause hormonal imbalances, triggering a drop or rise in natural levels. Spend intentional time resting and relaxing, and get plenty of sleep.

3. Too Much or Too Little Exercise

Too much exercise or too little exercise can disrupt the flow of hormones. If you spend too much time in stagnation, your hormones will remain stagnant, too. If you over-exercise, it can lead to several complications in the thyroid gland.

4. Toxins, Pollutants, or Pesticides

Avoiding chemicals may seem unavoidable in this day and age. However, you can start in your own home and remove toxins like cleaning supplies, makeup, hair products, or other everyday pollutants.

5. Overactive or Underactive Thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in front of your neck. It’s responsible for our metabolism and growth and is vital to hormone health. If you suspect you have an overactive or underactive thyroid, you should consult with your doctor immediately.

Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

Because hormone imbalance can be so insidious, symptoms may vary from person to person. It’s recommended to speak with your doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis. Generally speaking, some signs of hormone imbalance may be:

• Hair loss or thinning
• Sweating
• Infertility
• Painful periods
• Loss of appetite
• Weight gain or loss
• Trouble sleeping
• Growth of facial hair
• Soreness in breasts
• Night sweats or excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression

In most cases, hormonal imbalances are perfectly treatable. Discuss many methods with your doctor to test hormone levels. Pelvic exams, blood tests, ultrasounds, x-rays, MRIs, thyroid scans, or biopsies are all available for hormone evaluation.

Although balancing your hormones can feel like a lost cause, there are viable options. Speak with a hormone specialist, gynecologist, or primary care provider to learn about treatment plans.

BASS Medical is Here to Help

If you need support with hormonal imbalances, BASS Medical is ready to help. We specialize in various medical issues, and our dedicated team of doctors is here when you need it. Feel free to contact us with questions or call us at (925) 350-4044 to schedule an appointment.

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