The body’s hormones impact everything from temperature to the ability to store and burn fat, energy levels, sex drive and menstrual cycles. Hormone imbalances affect both sexes yet they are particularly common in women. Imbalances ranging from hypothyroidism to menopause and PMS impact millions of women every single year.
However, it is awfully difficult to determine if an individual is dealing with a hormonal imbalance or another health issue. Let’s take a quick look at some latent signs of hormonal imbalances to help you figure out exactly what is going on with your body.
You are Getting Sick More Frequently
If you have had a string of colds, infections or other problems with your immune system, you might have hypothyroidism or adrenal fatigue. Doctors far and wide agree the vast majority of those who have hypothyroidism are struggling with the autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s disease.
This condition occurs when the immune system combats the body’s thyroid tissue. The immune system is alerted in response to autoimmune disorders, making the individual in question that much more vulnerable to inflammatory responses and sickness.
Excessive Sugar Cravings
Everyone craves sugar. The question is how much sugar you should crave and the frequency at which such cravings should occur. Heightened cravings for sweets and/or carbohydrates are a common indication of excessive fatigue, alterations in blood sugar levels and/or elevated levels of cortisol.
Everything from hypothyroidism to PMS, depression stemming from a chemical imbalance and hypothalamic amenorrhea can cause sugar and carbohydrate cravings. In instances of PMS, a deficiency of progesterone and estrogen might spur sugar cravings. Men deficient in testosterone typically crave refined carbohydrates.
Powerful PMS Symptoms and/or Uncomfortable Periods
PMS is somewhat normal, yet harsh symptoms should not be shrugged off as “just the way it goes.” Strong PMS symptoms are an indication of imbalances such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) that impacts countless women throughout their reproductive years.
This chronic disorder is spurred by variances in hormonal levels. PMDD causes everything from elevated anxiety to migraine headaches, pain sensitivity, bloating, backaches, cravings and cramping.
A Shorter Temper than Usual
If the cortisol or adrenaline in your body are too high or too low, you will be that much more likely to snap when stressed. These hormones play a major role in stress response. An abundance or shortage of cortisol or adrenaline can also cause you to feel excessively tired. If you feel fatigued, you will be more likely to lash out at others.
Everything from excessive exercise to working long hours, infection, fasting and chronic stress can heighten cortisol levels. Irritability can also stem from alterations to reproductive hormones and levels of insulin.
The proper balance of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen are essential to maintain a steady mood. If you have been through a stressful situation, your body might not figure out the materials are available to produce stress and sex hormones. Therefore, when the body is forced to make a choice, it opts to create stress hormones, ultimately producing that much less sex hormones.
Waking Several Times throughout the Night
The alteration of certain hormones disturbs sleep patterns. In particular, alterations to the body’s adrenalin, serotonin and cortisol levels disrupt sleep. Waking in the middle of the night can become a significant problem, especially if you find it difficult to get back to sleep.
Insomnia in which you feel energetic yet still fatigued will also wreak havoc on your life. Each is a sign of adrenal fatigue, hyperthyroidism or other problems linked to chronic stress that has not been resolved. Estrogen is especially important for achieving and maintaining restful sleep throughout the night. Those dealing with PMDD, menopause, pregnancy are that much more likely to experience wakefulness at night.
What To Do if You Have Signs of a Hormone Imbalance
If you are displaying any of the signs detailed above, do not assume you are powerless. Some of these signs are an indication of a hormonal imbalance yet there also might be an underlying health issue you are unaware of.
Meet with a functional doctor or nutritionist as soon as possible for a health analysis and testing. This medical professional will help you identify the true cause of the hormone imbalance or other health problem and ultimately help you regain biological harmony.
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