7 Ways Hormonal Imbalances Affect Your Health
How Do Hormonal Imbalances Affect Your Health?
The healthy function of most processes in the human body is reliant on hormones. They are the body’s most important chemical messengers, sending signals to our organs on how to function.
Hormones work in perfect synchronicity together. The details of the way they function are far more complicated than science will ever be able to fully understand. When hormones are out-of-sync this can cause major havoc in the body.
But what are the signs of hormonal imbalances and how does it affect your overall health? This article highlights what you ought to know.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances?
First thing’s first, it’s completely natural to experience hormonal fluctuations throughout your life as a man or a woman. There may be particular periods in your life where hormonal imbalances are a little more severe than in others.
But the main cause of hormonal imbalance boils down to the function of the endocrine glands, which are located throughout the body. These glands are responsible for producing, storing, and releasing hormones into the bloodstream.
While hormones are responsible for coordinating a myriad of functions in the body, they are largely responsible for regulating the metabolism, and reproductive functions.
Common causes of hormonal imbalance range from:
Chronic stress
Poor diet and nutrition
Obesity or being overweight
Being very underweight
An underactive or overactive thyroid
Conditions such as diabetes
Certain medications
Drug abuse, including the use of anabolic steroids
These are just a few of the common causes that relate to both male and female hormonal imbalance. With regards to women, in particular, some of the more common issues that cause hormonal changes and imbalances include:
Birth control medication
Endometriosis
Early-onset menopause
Menopause
Pregnancy
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
Ovarian cancer
A hormonal imbalance is defined as having too little or excessive amounts of one hormone, or more in the bloodstream. As a result, this imbalance has a domino effect on the rest of the functions in the body, which can lead to a plethora of health issues.
How Hormonal Imbalances Can Affect Your Health
Many of these health issues double as very clear signs of hormonal imbalance. While most people assume that women tend to bear the brunt of hormonal imbalance, both men and women are susceptible to any of these issues.
1. Weight Gain
As mentioned, hormones are responsible for the regulation of your metabolism. In other words, they regulate how your body uses up the energy from the foods you consume. Hormone imbalances and disorders such as Cushing syndrome can wreak havoc on the function of your metabolism. The result is uncontrolled weight gain, which can lead to obesity if left unchecked.
Weight gain and hormonal imbalance tend to be related to the hormone cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol in the blood can increase the appetite and the way in which the body stores fat.
Hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain, while hormonal imbalances associated with menopause are also responsible for unwanted weight. One of the best ways to treat weight gain is by addressing the underlying cause, which is usually a hormonal imbalance.
2. Acne
Acne in your pre-teen and early teen years is understandable. Your hormones are adjusting and changing thanks to puberty. But when acne makes a re-appearance in your adult years (30 years old +), this can be a sign of hormonal imbalance.
While most people have a lifelong relationship with acne and hormones, there are a few signs that it could be related to hormonal imbalance. First of all, hormonal acne tends to show up around the cheeks, jawline, and neck area.
This type of acne is usually cystic. This means the pimples are deeply embedded, large, and sore to the touch. Hormonal acne tends to show up in the same spots each month, especially around certain times in a woman’s cycle.
The cause of hormone-related acne? An excess of androgen hormones, such as testosterone.
3. Infertility
Many women who struggle with hormonal imbalance, tend to suffer from conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis. As a result, they are susceptible to fertility issues. Essentially, these conditions interfere with healthy ovulation, which is necessary to fall pregnant.
Men with hormonal issues, such as low testosterone can also struggle with infertility.
While it’s still possible to fall pregnant with hormonal imbalances, some of these conditions can also cause gestational problems. This includes gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, high birth weight, and a higher chance of miscarriage.
4. Hair Loss
Hormonal imbalances are also responsible for premature hair loss in both men and women. While male pattern baldness is hereditary, men can also suffer from hair loss due to low levels of testosterone.
In women, hair loss is linked to hormonal fluctuations and changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and the onset of menopause. However, an imbalance of thyroid hormones can also cause hair loss.
5. Poor Sleep
Another hallmark of hormonal imbalance which can have a major impact on your overall health is sleep disruption or deprivation.
Progesterone is an important hormone that assists in the regulation of your sleep. If these levels are too low, this can cause issues with falling and staying asleep throughout the night.
When women enter menopause, estrogen levels also drop. This contributes to further sleep issues thanks to night sweats and hot flashes.
6. Low Sex Drive
Both men and women rely on the hormone testosterone to fuel their sex drive. If testosterone levels are low, this can cause low libido. Men who struggle with consistently low testosterone levels have a condition known as andropause.
A low sex drive can have a dire effect on your relationship, especially if you trying to start a family. While low testosterone levels are common later in life, it can also affect younger men and women in their 30’s.
7. Mental Health Issues
Estrogen is not only important for the function of the reproductive system but its protective effects on the brain. This hormone has a positive impact on neurotransmitters in the brain, as well as our cognition levels. Ultimately, this influences our ability to cope with and manage stress.
Low levels of estrogen are also linked to instances of poor mental health and an increased risk of psychosis. It’s also likely to induce manic episodes in those that live with bipolar disorder.
Looking to Get Your Hormones and Weight in Check?
The good news is that you don’t have to live with hormonal imbalances and poor health. If you want to get your health or weight in check, you’re in the right place!
We offer a range of hormone tests and treatments to help you understand what’s going on internally, so you can take control of your health. Learn more about our bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, here.
