What is hormone imbalance?
A hormone imbalance occurs when there are too much or too little of a certain hormone in the body. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers that regulate various processes like growth, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, etc.
Some key points about hormone imbalances:
- They can develop due to factors like age, chronic stress, poor diet, toxins exposure, underlying medical conditions, etc.
- Both men and women can experience hormone issues, but they manifest differently.
- Common symptoms are fatigue, weight gain/loss, hot flashes, hair loss, acne, low libido, erectile dysfunction, mood changes, sleep problems.
- Hormone levels can be checked with tests ordered by a doctor. This helps identify deficiencies or excess of hormones.
- Treatment depends on the type and severity of imbalance. It may include lifestyle modification, medications, bioidentical hormones, or dietary supplements.
Some major hormones that can get imbalanced are:
- Estrogen - Primary female sex hormone that drops during perimenopause/menopause leading to symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular periods etc.
- Progesterone - Regulates the menstrual cycle and maintains pregnancy in women. Declining levels cause irregular cycles, infertility, mood swings.
- Testosterone - Male sex hormone that dips with age causing low energy, muscle loss, erection issues in men.
- Thyroid hormones - Regulate metabolism. An under or overactive thyroid leads to unexplained weight changes, fatigue etc.
- Insulin - Manages blood sugar levels. Chronic high insulin due to insulin resistance predisposes to diabetes.
- Cortisol - Key stress hormone. Excess levels due to chronic stress lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, lowered immunity.
In a nutshell, maintaining hormonal balance is key for optimal physical, mental and emotional health. Lifestyle measures like regular exercise, stress management, proper sleep, and a balanced whole food diet can help preserve hormone levels and prevent common disorders resulting from hormonal dysregulation. Paying attention to persistent symptoms and getting necessary medical assistance from Renew Health Clinic is prudent.
I hope this gives you a good overview of what hormone imbalance means, its implications, and management! Let me know if you need any clarification.