Signs of Hormone Imbalance in Women

Recognizing a hormone imbalance in women can sometimes be difficult. The normal signs of hormone imbalance usually start with symptoms that can mimic other health issues or be caused from lifestyle choices, such as sleeping problems or fatigue. Although it may be common for many women to “blame their hormones” for many symptoms, recognizing a serious problem may be more difficult. When a hormone imbalance begins to affect your quality of life, sleeping patterns or overall health – then the problem must be addressed. Here are some signs to look for when recognizing a hormone imbalance in women.

You’re not as active as you were.
Fatigue is a common sign of a hormone imbalance in women and is sometimes confused with lack of sleep, aging or other health issues. If your once-easy daily routine suddenly starts feeling exhausting or your normal run to the gym is knocking you off your feet… check your hormones. The thyroid hormone, which controls your body’s metabolism, could be to blame for a lack of energy and constant fatigue.

Resting soundly proves to be difficult, if not impossible.
Sleeping disorders are another common symptom of hormonal imbalances. In women, restlessness or insomnia is usually due to a lack of the progesterone hormone. When this hormone drops, it can cause a lack of sleep. Many women experience this feeling before their period, and it can appear again later in life as hormones decrease in the body.

 Your face looks like a teenager’s again.
Acne is an unwelcome but unfortunately common sign of a hormone imbalance in women. You may have thought those pimple days were over after your teens… but changing hormones in the body can make your pores flare up again. These nasty side effects can be caused by too much testosterone in the body.

The room is never cool enough.
Hot flashes are a signature sign of a hormonal imbalance, and even the subject line of many television shows, movies and Broadway musicals. If you’re experiencing hot flashes, however… you’ll hardly be singing a happy tune. Many different hormones could be to blame for the feeling of fluctuating temperatures, including an imbalance of estrogen, progesterone and even thyroid hormones.

You can’t stop popping aspirin.
Headaches and migraines are a painful and very real side effect of hormonal imbalances in women. For women that have experienced migraines most of their life, realizing the association between hormones and head pain may be hard to recognize. Hormonal changes can cause an onset of pain in the forehead, temples and behind the eyes. Balancing these hormones may be the key to relieving reoccurring headaches.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance. Recognizing a hormone imbalance in women can be difficult at times – it is always important to consult with a healthcare professional first to diagnose your problem and decide on the right course of action. Many hormone imbalances can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. By balancing the levels of hormones in the body, many symptoms can be relieved and you can start living a normal, healthy life again.

If your quality of life or overall health is affected by any of these symptoms, contact a hormone replacement therapy specialist to learn about options for treating your condition. Start feeling balanced, happy and back to normal today.

Diseases Caused by a Hormonal Imbalance

You have heard about some of the health issues that can develop due to a hormonal imbalance, but are you aware of how many different diseases may be caused by a too much or too little of one of the essential hormones?  Along with treating these conditions directly, a physician is also likely to monitor hormone levels to determine if some type of hormone replacement therapy would aid in the management or the recovery from the disease.  Here are a few of the more common issues that may arise.

Addison’s Disease

This health issue can develop as a result of the failure of the adrenal cortex to secrete a normal amount of hormones.  Some of the more common symptoms associated with Addison’s Disease are low blood pressure, feeling physically depleted, lower cognitive ability, and anemia.  

Cushing’s Syndrome

This disease also involves the function of the adrenal cortex.  In this instance, there is an overabundance of hormones secreted and released into the system.   Sometimes known as hypercortisolism, this disease will trigger dangerously high blood pressure. You may also gain weight and have trouble regulating your blood sugar levels.  In some people, tiny lesions that look like pink or purple stretch marks will appear on the arms, back, and legs.  There is even the risk of losing bone density unless treatment is sought.

Mineralocorticoid Deficiency

With this condition, the body is not capable of retaining a healthy amount of sodium.  This paves the way for issues like heart palpitations, weakness and mental issues like depression and anxiety.  Along with using HRT to deal with the hormone imbalance, treatments to increase the sodium level in the body are necessary to reverse the symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is one of the essential organs in terms of promoting a healthy balance of hormone production.  When a hormonal imbalance occurs elsewhere in the body, the thyroid may begin to produce too little or too many hormones.  

With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid goes into overdrive and produces more hormones than the body can handle.  The results can manifest in the form of panic attacks in conjunction with severe anxiety, insomnia, an unexplained weight loss, and generally feeling tired all the time.

Hypothyroidism tends to cause weight gain, produces mental fatigue and an inability to concentrate, and may cause the heart rate to drop to an unsafe level.  The hair may not grow as quickly, and the skin may begin to take on a rough texture.

Hypoparathyroidism

Thanks to the abnormal function of the thyroid, there is less of the parathyroid hormone released in the bloodstream.  The result is a lack of sufficient calcium and phosphorus delivered to various parts of the body.  While this type of hormonal imbalance does prevent proper absorption of these two nutrients, it does not actually remove calcium from the bones.

These are only a few of the diseases that can be triggered due to a hormonal imbalance.  Some of the conditions are permanent, and will require treatment for the rest of your life.  Others can be reversed, along with using HRT testosterone or estrogen treatments to correct the underlying imbalance. If you are exhibiting any of the symptoms associated with these diseases, see your doctor as quickly as possible.  A prompt diagnosis will lead to formulating the right type of treatment process and help you to feel better again.

What Is Hormonal Imbalance Anxiety?

If you have noticed that lately you can’t seem to keep your mind from racing or have a constant feeling that the world is about to crumble, it could be that you are in the early stages of an anxiety disorder.  While anxiety can be triggered by a number of causes, one that you may not think of immediately is a hormonal imbalance.  Here is what you need to know about the impact of a hormone imbalance on your emotional state, and what can be done to get you back on an even keel.

Understanding the Basics

Hormones are responsible for more than the physical characteristics that people associate with gender.  They also play a direct role in regulating mood, cognitive ability, and general emotional well being.  When any type of hormonal imbalance leaves you with too much of some hormones and not enough of another, you can expect your world to change for the worse.  It is only when the balance is restored that you will begin to feel like yourself again.

What Can Be Done?

The most effective way to deal with a hormonal imbalance is to undergo what is known as hormone replacement therapy.  Under the care of a doctor, you will receive carefully measured doses that are aimed at correcting the imbalance.  The exact method involved with the HRT will depend on which approach is most likely to provide the greatest benefits.  

How Soon Will You Notice a Difference?

When it comes to how long it will take to notice things are looking better, there is no set time frame.  Some people find that within a week or two of beginning HRT testosterone treatments, they notice a difference in mood.  A lot depends on how depleted your system is when you begin the therapy and what it will take to restore a necessary balance.  

As the treatments begin to impact the hormonal imbalance, it may be necessary to adjust the dosage.  This means you must communicate regularly with your doctor.  If you notice any unpleasant side effects, report them immediately.  There’s a good chance that making some change to the dosage will make the ill effects go away.  Even at decreased dosages, you’ll begin to feel more like your old self every day.

The thing you need to remember is that hormonal imbalance anxiety is not the end of the world.  Your condition is highly treatable.  Don’t hesitate to seek medical help, and follow the instructions of your physical to the letter.  Little by little, you’ll notice that it’s easier to think clearly, enjoy being around people again, and in general look forward to what the coming day will bring.