6 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Women
Feel like your hormones are making you go crazy? Hormones play an indispensable role in controlling and coordinating bodily activities. They are the body’s chemical messengers that help regulate numerous body functions. In fact, they are responsible for your altered moods. They can make you happy, sad, angry, hungry, and stressed. Here are some signs you would have experienced at least once in your lifetime or are experiencing every day when your hormone levels fluctuate.
1) Sudden Mood Swings
Do not panic if you have experienced sudden mood shifts from happy to sad to angry within a span of a few seconds before your period or menopause. It is due to fluctuating estrogen levels. It has an impact on neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which regulate your mood.
2) Low Sexual Desire
Did you know women have testosterone too? Yes, you heard it right. Women have small amounts of testosterone. If these levels fall, your interest in sex will decrease. It is common with peri and postmenopausal women. Fluctuating estrogen also contributes by causing vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and anxiety.
3) Sleeplessness
If you are rolling over your bed to have a good night’s sleep, your progesterone and estrogen levels are low. They help you have a sound sleep. Low levels of these hormones in peri and postmenopausal women cause night sweats and hot flashes, which adds to disrupted sleep.
4) Problems With Period
Irregular periods with light bleeding and missed periods probably indicate excessive male hormones and insulin levels. This condition is known as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Heavy bleeding, painful period, urinary urgency, and low back pain can be signs of fibroids. These are non-cancerous growths of your uterus.
5) Weight Gain
If you are keeping on gaining weight, take a look at your estrogen levels. Their decrease can increase your hunger pangs. This is because estrogen affects leptin that inhibits hunger. Also, mood changes can increase your craving for high caloric and sugary foods. Hypothyroidism, PCOS, and menopause are other hormone-related conditions that increase your weight.
6) Difficulty in Getting Pregnant
Even after one year of trying to get pregnant, hormonal imbalance can be a cause if you do not. Low levels of the luteinizing hormone (LH), high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), PCOS, early menopause, Cushing’s syndrome, thyroid disorders, and various other hormonal disorders can affect your fertility.
Hormonal imbalances are manageable and correctable to some extent. Physical activity, a healthy diet, sound sleep, and avoiding hazardous habits can prevent most diseases, including hormonal imbalances. However, if you notice any of these signs, do not hesitate to reach out for medical support. Correction at the early stage prevents further health complications.
