Throughout the different stages of our lives, it’s natural for hormones to fluctuate. Puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and menopause are particularly common periods to notice significant hormonal changes. Sometimes, though, it’s all a matter of lifestyle and medicinal conditions. No matter the cause, hormonal imbalance can affect various areas of your life – mood, energy, weight, skin, libido… and plenty more!
So, what are the warning signs that you could be experiencing hormonal imbalances? Let’s dive into some of the most common symptoms.
This blog goes through seven common signs that your body may be undergoing hormonal changes or imbalances. For personalised health advice, contact our team at Vital Health & Natural Medicine today.
#1 – Skin and Hair Changes
Low levels of estrogen and progesterone, as well as high levels of androgen hormones, can lead to changes in skin and hair. Chronic adult acne can be a sign of hormonal imbalance, as can other skin-related issues or persistent problems. If you’re consistently facing skin and hair challenges that don’t seem to respond to care routines, hormonal balances may be the cause.
Symptoms may also include:
- Dry skin
- Coarse hair
- Skin tags (small growths)
- Itchy, flaky skin
#2 – Mood Swings
Perhaps one of the most common signs that your hormones may be imbalanced is changes in mood and temperament. Hormones have a direct effect on neurotransmitters in the brain – for example, fluctuations in estrogen can affect the function of transmitters such as serotonin, a chemical that influences and boosts mood levels. Changes in estrogen can leave people feeling low, anxious, sad, and at times depressed. While other factors may be at play, tracking your mood changes and swings can help a doctor determine whether hormonal challenges may be at fault.
#3 – Low Libido
Especially common in women going through perimenopause or menopause, hormonal changes can lead to a lowered libido. As estrogen and testosterone levels fall, you’re likely to find yourself with a lower sex drive. Other symptoms that commonly appear in conjunction (such as night sweats, anxiety, low energy, and fatigue) can also contribute to libido changes. Supplements and lifestyle plans can help improve this, as well as boost overall mood and energy levels.
#4 – Temperature Sensitivity
As your hormones change and adjust, you may find your body suddenly struggling to regulate temperatures. During menopause, for example, imbalanced hormones can lead to women experiencing ‘hot flashes’. Heightened sensitivity to temperature is a common symptom of hormonal imbalance, so if you find yourself suddenly struggling to tolerate the heat or cold when others around you seem fine, it may be worthwhile to see a doctor.
#5 – Changes to Bowel Movements
If you start to see significant, consistent changes to your bathroom habits, it’s best to get yourself checked out. Changes in hormone levels and balances can affect your bowel movements in a variety of ways. Some people may note frequent constipation, while others may find themselves experiencing diarrhoea or more frequent bowel movements. Either way, significant changes may be a sign of hormonal imbalance.
#6 – Irregular Weight Gain
Should you notice yourself gaining unexpected weight, in spite of healthy habits, hormone-related conditions could be the cause. Should your thyroid gland not be producing enough thyroid hormones, your metabolism will be negatively affected – ultimately raising your likelihood of gaining weight. Changes due to menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome could also be at play.
If you’re gaining weight despite no changes in diet or exercise routines, you should seek medical advice to see if hormone changes could be at fault.
#7 – Insomnia and Sleep Issues
Production of different hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, promotes sleep. Should certain levels fall, you may begin to notice disruption to your regular sleep patterns. This could be as severe as insomnia, or else you may find yourself frequently waking up throughout the night. Night sweats or chills may result, and while there are natural and medicinal supports available, lifestyle changes such as frequent exercise, limited caffeine, and nighttime routines may help.
Contact Vital Health & Natural Medicine for Treatment Plans
Whatever the cause of your hormonal imbalance may be, there are options out there to help reduce the symptoms. At Vital Health & Natural Medicine, we use nonintrusive, natural therapies and remedies to help people regulate changes in their bodies. When you work with our experienced melbourne naturopaths, they will be able to build a tailored, all-natural treatment plan to help you feel like yourself again. Reach out to our team today to discuss your symptoms.