Recognizing the Symptoms of Female Hormone Imbalance

Emotional and physical changes in the body can occur when hormones become imbalanced. If you think you may be experiencing female hormone imbalance symptoms, you are not alone. With age comes the on-set of menopause, but other factors can cause a hormonal imbalance in women as well. It is important to distinguish between what type of symptoms you are experiencing and determine if a hormonal imbalance is to blame. Here is a list of several different female hormone imbalance symptoms:

Anxiety and Depression – Mood swings are a common side effect of hormone changes, and many women experience mood changes during PMS and/or menopause. If you have a hormone imbalance, you may also suffer from anxiety or depression – not just your typical mood swing. If you are one of many women with a severe hormonal imbalance that causes anxiety or depression, it is important to seek proper treatment to improve your mental (and physical) health.

Fatigue – Fluctuating hormones make day-to-day activities tiring for most women, causing fatigue to be one of most common female hormone imbalance symptoms. If you find yourself more sluggish than usual or even a bit fuzzy in your head, a hormone imbalance could be the cause. Having your hormone levels tested is the best way to know the cause of your fatigue, so proper treatment can be applied to help you get the “pep” back in your step.

Weight Gain – Of course it’s possible that lifestyle choices and dietary issues could be to blame for weight gain… But when all else seems healthy and normal, a hormone imbalance can result in persistent weight gain. Food cravings are another factor in female hormone imbalance symptoms, and can contribute to weight gain as well. Weight gain is not only a nuisance for your self-image and personal looks, but it can be dangerous to your health. Getting your hormones in control again can help keep your weight at a healthy and stable level.

Increased Body Temperature – Hot flashes are common for menopausal women, and so an increase in body temperature is a normal side effect of female hormone imbalance symptoms. A spike in body temperature can cause sweating and a flushed face, making you uncomfortable in even a cool room. These can occur at night as well, which affects your sleep patterns and overall health. Your fluctuating, imbalanced hormones are to blame for these unwanted bursts of heat. Be ready with a cooling fan and a change of clothes to help you cool down.

Similar to the symptoms of menopause and sometimes even PMS, female hormone imbalance symptoms are varied and many. Once you recognize the signs of a hormone imbalance, you can visit your healthcare professional to be certain of your fluctuating estrogen levels. Several treatment options are available to help you find a hormonal balance and return your body and mind to a normal, stable level.

Blueprint Health Attends the IHRSA Show in Orlando Florida

Blueprint Health is exhibiting at the 2016  International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association annual trade-show.  

IHRSA is the trade association serving the global health club and fitness industry. The mission of IHRSA is to grow, protect and promote the health and fitness industry, and to provide its members with benefits that will help them be more successful.

IHRSA and its members (health clubs and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and industry suppliers) are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise and activity promotion. 

Blueprint has developed an interactive Kiosk that health-club owners can place within locations in order to provide members with hormone treatment related educational content and an opportunity to begin the enrollment process into the Blueprint Program. Club owners can earn a commission based on their member referrals into the program.

Kiosks are available directly from Blueprint Health. Give us a call for more information.

5 Key Factors to Increasing Testosterone Levels

Aging causes testosterone levels to decrease in men starting around age 30. Take control of your health by managing this natural process.

Low testosterone." You've probably heard this phrase quite often, but what does it really mean? More importantly, how do you increase testosterone?

What "low testosterone" really means

Testosterone is predominantly known as a male sex hormone, although both men and women produce it. While the male testes are responsible for most testosterone production, it's also produced in modest amounts by the adrenal glands and by women's ovaries.

The most common cause for low testosterone for both men and women is age. As we get older, our sex hormone levels naturally drop. For both men and women, this can lead to low energy, reduced sex drive, depression, difficulty sleeping, weight gain (especially undesirable increases in body fat), and osteoporosis.

Fortunately, if you're wondering how to increase testosterone, it's easier than you think.

How to increase testosterone naturally: Five key factors

• Get enough sleep

When you don't get enough sleep, you throw much of your body chemistry out of whack, including testosterone levels.

You can change that. Make sleep a priority,and aim for at least 7 to 8 hours a night. Schedule bedtime for the same time every day; supplements like melatonin or valerian root can also ease you into sleep naturally and gradually (with your doctor's approval), with no grogginess the next day.

• Keep your weight down

Keeping your weight within a healthy range through proper diet can actually boost testosterone levels. Don't starve. Your body needs adequate nutrition and calories to build all-important muscle mass. Instead, choose a healthy diet that focuses on whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, and minimize your intake of simple carbohydrates like sugar and "junk food." Indulge only modestly in alcohol if you choose.

• Get some exercise

Did you know that the more active you are, the more often your brain sends out the message that your body needs testosterone? If you're wondering how to increase testosterone naturally, this is one of the best ways to do it. If you spend most of your time sitting or being a couch potato, your body will adapt to the fact that you don't need as much testosterone to build bone and muscle tissue – and will produce less. Reverse sedentary habits, and you'll start producing more.

If you haven't been active for a while, start modestly with 10 to 20 minutes of brisk walking. Include some light weight training with small hand-held weights or elastic bands. And don't overdo it – overworking muscles beyond your current level of ability can actually lower, not raise, testosterone levels. Take it slow to build muscles and endurance slowly and gradually, and your testosterone levels will improve.

• Watch your stress

Your body has a natural "fight or flight" reaction when you experience stress. In our modern lives today, this doesn't just happen during instances of actual danger, as was historically true. Instead, it's a chronic condition. Unfortunately, constant stress keeps levels of the stress hormone cortisol elevated, and that leads to weight gain and a drop in testosterone.

To take control of your stress, set a regular schedule. Cut back on work as you need to so that your workdays are no more than 10 hours long, and spend at least two hours a day doing something that's actually fun or relaxing, like listening to music or reading.

• Take a look at your medications

Many medications, such as opioids for pain, can cause drops in testosterone. Don't stop taking any of them without your doctor's consent, but do go over them with your doctor and ask how to increase testosterone just by making substitutions or adjustments.

If you're looking for a more immediate solution to your symptoms, take our Low-T Symptom Assessment to see where you stand. Our simple questionnaire will gauge your symptoms on a scale of 0-4 and advise you on what steps you can take to increase your testosterone levels.