How to Treat Female Hormonal Imbalance Naturally?

Have you noticed you have low energy, have had excessive mood swings, and have had an abnormal menstruation cycle? Many women have hormonal imbalance problems and are unaware that they can be caused by an unbalanced hormone cycle.

Our hormones are necessary for our body to function properly. When they are slightly unbalanced, they can impact our energy, how well we sleep, our weight, and our emotional stability. It is possible for women to understand how their hormones function and learn to support them naturally in order for them to be healthier and have more control over their body.

What are Hormones?

Hormones are produced by certain glands in the body and act as chemical messengers. They travel in the blood and instruct organs and tissue and how to perform their functions. Hormones control the functions of growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and sleep among many other functions.

Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol are a few of the hormones that are especially important for women.

What is a Hormonal Imbalance?

When a woman has too much or too little of a hormone, it is then described as a hormonal imbalance. Because hormones are a team, even small hormonal imbalances can cause large problems.

As an example, when a woman is under a lot of stress, it can be cause an increase in cortisol. This can then affect a women’s sleep, appetite, and her sex hormones. Additionally a woman’s menstrual cycle and mood can be caused by an imbalance in her estrogen and progesterone levels.

What Are the Health Conditions Linked to Hormonal Imbalance?

The following health conditions can commonly be linked to hormonal imbalance:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid issues
• Diabetes
• Infertility
• Symptoms pertaining to menopause
• Obesity
• Disorders of the adrenal glands

Hormones may not be the only cause of the conditions listed above, but they can play a major role.

What Symptoms Are Associated with Hormonal Imbalance?

Not all patients will present with the same symptoms of hormonal imbalance. The symptoms listed below may help with the diagnosis of hormonal imbalance:

Weight gains that cannot be explained

• Lethargy
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Acne
• Thinning hair
• Changes in appetite
• Decreased ability to concentrate

These symptoms should be presented to your provider if they are maintained for a prolonged period of time.

What Are the Symptoms of Imbalance of Sex Hormones of Females?

There are many different symptoms that females may express that may be related to the imbalance of hormones. Symptoms may be:

• Irregular periods
• Heavy period with painful cramping
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal Dryness
• Low libido
• Infertility
• Mood changes and increased irritability

These symptoms may appear at multiple periods of time in a female’s life including, but not limited to, the time of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.

Symptoms of Sex Hormone Imbalance for Males

This article is primarily focused on women, however, men can experience hormonal imbalance as well. These symptoms may include:

• Lowered sex drive
• Difficulty with erections
• Reduction in muscle mass
• Increased fatigue
• Increased depression and/or changes in mood
• Increased body fat
• Hair loss

What You Should do If You Have a Hormonal Imbalance?

If you believe your hormones are out of balance, keep track of the symptoms you have been experiencing and bring them to the attention of a healthcare provider. They will likely perform a blood test to determine the cause of your symptoms.

You should also make lifestyle changes that promote healthy hormones as they may reduce your symptoms.

Can You Get Anxiety from Hormonal Imbalance?

It is possible, yes. Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol all play a strong role in the control of your emotions. As these hormones begin to fluctuate, some women may experience an increased level of anxiety. That is one of the reasons that emotional symptoms are associated with hormone changes.

Why are Hormones Imbalanced?

A number of factors can lead to an imbalance in hormones such as:

• Increased stress
• Poor diet
• Little or No Exercise
• Lack of Sleep
• Medications
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• PCOS
• Thyroid Conditions
• Environmental toxins

Knowing the cause of the imbalance is essential, as many treatments are focused on that.

Management and Treatment

Most women have found that making healthy lifestyle changes have helped restore their hormone balance naturally.

A diet inclusive of protein and healthy fats plays an important role in supporting hormone production. Coupled with exercise, this brings insulin sensitivity, and health throughout the body, into balance. Stress also affects hormones. Among its many benefits, yoga, meditation, and various mindful breathing exercises can help cortisol levels balance.

Sleep is the time most hormones are regulated. Sleep duration should be quality and abundant, between 7 and 9 hours. Keeping hydrated and reducing processed foods can help the hormones overall.

There are instances where imbalances of hormones require specialized medical treatment. These include cystic ovarian disease and thyroid hormone imbalances.

Conclusion

The body systems regulated by hormones affect health in many different ways. These include health and balance of mood and energy, metabolism, and reproductive health. Irregular periods, weight changes, mood changes, and fatigue can signal an imbalance of hormones.

Nutrition, exercise, stress, and sleep balance can help many women keep their hormones healthy. If the symptoms continue, or are disrupting, a medical professional can identify the cause, and recommend a treatment plan.