Do You Have a Hormone Imbalance?

How can you tell if you might have a hormone imbalance? What should you know? The following is a list of signs and symptoms associated with having a hormone imbalance.

• Weight gain or loss.
• Excessive sweating.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Sensitivity to cold or heat.
• Dry skin.
• Skin rashes.
• Blood pressure or heart rate changes.
• Weak or brittle bones.
• Fatigue.
• Increased thirst.
• Headaches.
• Frequent urination.
• Bloating.
• Brittle or thinning hair.
• Appetite changes.
• Blurred vision.
• Puffiness in the face.
• Breast tenderness.
• Painful or irregular menstruation. 
• Acne before or during menstruation.
• Vaginal dryness.
  

Many individuals may also experience mood swings, which may lead to depression. If you have many of the signs and symptoms described above, it might be best to check in with your family physician. They can help you determine what’s wrong, as well as potentially help you get back on track.

Causes of a Hormonal Imbalance

Because there are so many hormones throughout the body, a wide range of conditions or stressors can cause your hormones to become imbalanced. Generally, these conditions or stressors impact the endocrine glands and their functions. 

Common causes of a hormone imbalance include, but aren’t limited to:

• Diabetes.
• Chronic stress.
• Hyper or hypoglycemia.
• A dysfunctional thyroid.
• Poor nutrition.
• Excess weight.
• Birth control.
• Hormone replacement therapy.
• Tumors.
• Infections.
  

More specifically, women experience various potential hormone imbalances throughout their life. Hormonal imbalances may occur during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause. In these cases, women may have hormone issues due to conditions impacting the female organs, including polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian cancer. This is why it’s important to get a check-up conducted at your doctor’s office. They can rule out any adverse health conditions.

Natural Ways to Treat Your Hormone Imbalance

While our advice shouldn’t trump that of your doctor’s recommendations, there are natural remedies to help treat hormonal imbalances. With International Women’s Day on March 8th, we want to empower women to take their health and wellness into their own hands. The female body is one to be celebrated. But for it to function properly, you have to treat it right.

If you think you’re experiencing a hormone imbalance, again, talk to your doctor. However, ensure you’re also aware of other ways – besides medications – to treat it. The following can help you get your hormones back on track, as well as improve your overall health and well-being.

1. Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Excess weight places stress on not just the joints of the body, but also all the systems within the body. It makes normal functioning that much harder. Your heart has to work more and your cells are working overtime to keep up. By maintaining a healthy weight, you make it easier for your body (and your hormones) to regulate themselves.

2. Eating Nutritious Foods

“You are what you eat” isn’t far from the truth. In fact, your body needs certain nutrients and vitamins to produce and create hormones. In turn, this allows the body to function properly. You want to ensure – even when life gets busy – you’re nourishing your body with the proper foods. While pre-packaged and processed food items might seem easy, they could potentially hurt your health and happiness down the line. Instead, stick to a diet full of whole foods and homemade meals. This way you know exactly what you’re eating and you’ll know it’s full of the good stuff. Further, you’ll support your family by reinforcing positive and healthy eating habits in your kids.

3. Manage Your Stress

Life is hectic. Sometimes, it might feel like chore after chore or errand after errand is piling on top of each other. After all, everyone gets stressed out time and again. While acute stress is absolutely normal, chronic and long-term stress is not. If you’re experiencing stress day-in and day-out, you may need to make a change. This may involve practicing saying ‘no’ or scheduling some much needed ‘me-time.’ It may also involve better organization, such as a calendar. Some individuals may further benefit from talking to someone – whether that be a friend or a therapist. By talking it out, you let it all out and release any pent-up stress. 

In addition, regular exercise can help manage stress, but we will discuss this aspect in more detail below.

4. Exercise (Try Yoga!)

Exercise can help lower stress levels, as well as help regulate the body’s normal functions. In fact, performing yoga as your regular exercise routine is a two-in-one deal. You can relax the body, while ensuring you’re getting enough daily movement. 

Try Luna by YogaBellies

Are you experiencing menstrual pain or discomforts? Or are you struggling to find a healthy balance after pregnancy? Luna by YogaBellies is a yoga class that addresses hormonal imbalances. In each class, you’ll move through flowing and feminine poses that will help relieve your discomfort and help you find your balance.

Surprisingly, a painful menstrual cycle isn’t entirely normal – even though it’s what we’re told is true. When your hormones are balanced, you can experience pain-free, easy, and regular periods. Make exercise part of finding that balance. Try out Luna by YogaBellies. Click here to find a class near you.