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Hormonal imbalance is a common but often overlooked issue that affects everything from your sexual health to energy levels, mood, sleep, and mental clarity. Hormones are your body's chemical messengers and even small shifts in their levels can have a significant impact on your physical, mental, and sexual health.
While hormonal changes naturally occur with certain life events, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, they aren’t the only reasons for hormones to become unbalanced. Factors like stress, diet, medical conditions, and aging can also throw your hormones off track.
Recognizing the signs of a hormonal imbalance early can help you take proactive steps to address the root cause and restore your well-being.
Let’s explore 12 key signs that show your hormones may be out of balance.
A normal menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days but can vary from person to person. If your periods have become irregular, unusually heavy, or absent, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalances.
Most menstrual changes are linked to fluctuating estrogen levels. However, factors like diet, exercise, stress, and underlying conditions, such as PCOS or thyroid dysfunction, can also affect your cycle. Since irregular periods can also be a sign of other health issues, it’s important to have them evaluated by your provider.
If you feel like your emotions are all over the place, hormonal imbalances may be to blame. Estrogen and progesterone influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood.
During the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise, which boost serotonin and improve mood. Progesterone levels, on the other hand, rise after ovulation. However, when their levels drop in your body, you may experience heightened anxiety, depression, or irritability.
Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining a healthy libido and sexual function. As women age, estrogen levels decline, causing:
Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect vaginal health, sometimes leading to a condition called vaginal atrophy. This occurs when declining estrogen levels (most commonly after menopause) cause the vaginal walls to become thinner, drier, and more prone to inflammation. As a result, many women experience discomfort, irritation, and even pain during intercourse.
High cortisol levels, often triggered by chronic stress, can also suppress libido and make it harder to feel aroused. When stress hormones remain elevated for a long time, they can interfere with your body's natural production of estrogen and testosterone, further contributing to low sexual desire.
If you’ve gained weight unexpectedly or are struggling to lose it despite a healthy diet and exercise routine, hormonal imbalances could be the cause.
A drop in estradiol, a form of estrogen, can contribute to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. Estradiol levels naturally decrease around menopause, causing weight gain.
However, weight issues aren't just linked to aging and menopause; they can also be associated with hormone-related conditions like:
If you're facing unexplained weight changes, it's important to speak with your provider to determine its underlying cause.
Hormones in your body affect hair’s natural cycle and structure. If your hormones are unbalanced, you may notice hair loss or excessive hair growth (hirsutism).
Androgen excess, often seen in PCOS, can lead to excessive hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and back, while low estrogen and thyroid dysfunction can contribute to hair thinning or shedding. Therefore, if you’ve noticed changes in hair texture or volume, it’s worth investigating your hormone levels.
Adult acne and hormonal imbalances often go hand in hand. Excess androgens (male hormones) can overstimulate oil glands, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently experience acne along with irregular periods and excess facial hair.
Hormonal fluctuations can also affect the texture and color of your skin. For example, an increase in progesterone during pregnancy can lead to more acne on your face, chest, and back.
In addition, changes in hormones like estrogen and progesterone can trigger hyperpigmentation, causing dark patches on the skin. This is commonly seen in areas like the neck, groin, and under the breasts.
Your gut health and hormones are closely linked. Estrogen and progesterone influence your metabolism and help regulate gastrointestinal tract. Their imbalances can lead to bloating, gas, and IBS-like symptoms.
High cortisol levels from chronic stress can disrupt gut bacteria, leading to inflammation and discomfort.
Do you feel constantly drained, even after a full night’s sleep? Hormonal imbalances in thyroid hormones, cortisol, and estrogen can cause persistent fatigue.
Both high and low estrogen levels can affect your energy levels and overall well-being. Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) slows down metabolism, while excessive cortisol from chronic stress can leave you feeling exhausted and burned out. If fatigue affects your daily life, consider checking your hormone levels.
Are you struggling with forgetfulness or difficulty focusing? Fluctuations in estrogen, thyroid hormones, and cortisol can affect cognitive function.
Low estrogen levels, commonly seen in perimenopause and menopause, are associated with memory lapses and brain fog. Similarly, adrenal fatigue from prolonged stress can make it hard to stay alert and process information efficiently.
Are you tossing and turning at night? Hormones like progesterone and cortisol play a vital role in regulating sleep. Low progesterone levels, particularly during perimenopause, can make it difficult to fall asleep.
High cortisol levels from chronic stress can keep your nervous system on high alert, preventing deep, restorative sleep. If you frequently wake up during the night or struggle with insomnia, hormonal imbalances could be to blame.
Imbalanced estrogen and progesterone levels can cause anxiety and stress, especially during the menstrual cycle and perimenopause.
Moreover, cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, is essential for managing stress, but prolonged high levels can wreak havoc on your body. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and fatigue, where your body struggles to produce enough cortisol, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained.
Sudden waves of heat and excessive sweating at night are well-known signs of perimenopause and menopause. These symptoms are caused by fluctuating estrogen levels, which impact your body's ability to regulate temperature.
The treatment for hormonal imbalance depends on its underlying cause, which hormone is deficient, and your symptoms. If your hormone levels are lower than normal, hormone replacement therapy is often the primary solution.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a personalized treatment option that our providers may recommend to restore hormonal balance in women. BHRT uses hormones that are identical to the hormones produced by your body.
While hormonal imbalances aren’t preventable, common steps you can take to optimize your overall health include:
Hormonal imbalances can have a significant impact on your quality of life, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. At Inception Telehealth & Wellness, we specialize in personalized hormone therapy to help women manage hormonal imbalances and feel their best at every stage of life.
Contact Inception Telehealth & Wellness at +1 866-603-2760 or request a consultation online to learn how we can help manage symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
patientcare@inceptiontelehealth.com
Phone: +1 866-603-2760
Fax: 601-207-2375
2093 East Pass Rd., Suite B,
Gulfport MS, 39507
