Hormone imbalance occurs when there are too much or too little of a certain hormone in the body. Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands and released into the bloodstream. They play a critical role in regulating various bodily functions like metabolism, growth, sleep, mood, sexual function, and more.
Some common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance in women include:
Common causes of hormone imbalance in women:
Hormone imbalance can negatively impact a woman's quality of life. Symptoms like fatigue, low mood, and low libido can be difficult to deal with day-to-day. Imbalances left untreated over long periods can even lead to more serious health issues like infertility, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
So what can you do? Getting tested to determine your hormone levels is the first step. A simple blood test can check hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones (T3, T4), insulin, prolactin, and DHEA-S. This gives your doctor a clear picture of where your imbalances lie.
Based on test results, your doctor may prescribe bioidentical hormone therapy to restore optimal levels. Lifestyle and diet changes are also important - regular exercise, stress management, limiting alcohol/caffeine, eating whole foods, etc. Herbal supplements like maca, vitex, black cohosh can help too.
If you're experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, don't ignore them. Reach out to your doctor or a specialist clinic like Renew Clinic for testing and personalized treatment. With the right guidance, you can get to the root cause and find relief for your symptoms.