Balancing Hormones Naturally
Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, and cortisol exert a significant influence on various facets of your general well-being. Consequently, when your hormones are imbalanced, it can disrupt your entire life.
Signs & Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can manifest in many ways including:
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Mood changes including depression, anxiety, irritability, and emotional swings
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Menstrual changes (including painful, heavy or irregular periods)
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Increased PMS
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Memory and concentration issues
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Unexplained weight gain (or difficulty losing weight)
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Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
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Bad memory or brain fog
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Fatigue and low energy levels
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Lack of motivation of just feeling “flat”
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Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
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Changes in libido or sexual dysfunction.
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Vaginal dryness or painful sex
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Digestive problems like bloating or constipation
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Skin issues, including acne and dryness
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Hair loss or excessive hair growth.
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Hot flashes or night sweats
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Bone density changes
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Muscle weakness or decreased muscle mass.
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It's important to note that these symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific hormones involved and the extent of the imbalance. If you suspect a hormone imbalance, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
Common Issues Associated with Hormone Imbalance
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Estrogen Dominance (low progesterone or high estrogen): disrupted sleep, weight gain, increased stress and anxiety, increased PMS, heavier periods and shorter menstrual cycles.
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Low Estrogen: decreased libido, loss of menstrual regularity, fatigue, vaginal dryness, mood changes, memory problems.
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Low Testosterone: lack of interest in sex, vaginal dryness, loss of muscle tone, feeling “flat” or unmotivated
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Adrenal problems (low or high cortisol): fatigue, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, weight gain
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Hypothyroidism: slowed metabolism, fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, feeling cold
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): infertility, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth in unwanted areas but loss of scalp hair.
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Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism): anxiety, hair loss, weight loss, diarrhea, irregular sleep, racing heart or palpitations.
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Pre-Diabetes: weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Potential Causes of Hormone Imbalances
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Hormonal imbalances are created by a combination of factors. Some of the major causes of hormonal imbalances include:
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Food allergies: We estimate that up to one in three women may have an immune reaction to common foods they are eating on a regular basis. This inflammation creates hormone imbalances.
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Gut flora imbalances: It is common in our modern world to have too much of the wrong bacteria in your digestive tract (or even too much yeast, called candida), and not enough of the helpful “probiotic” bacteria. An imbalance in your gut bugs can cause imbalances in your hormones.
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Weight gain: Your body fat cells can create inflammation, interfere with insulin function, and also produce estrogen!
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Inflammation: inflammation from any cause can create various hormone imbalances, especially with cortisol and insulin.
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Genetic predisposition: Certain genes affect how your body metabolizes estrogen and how well you can metabolize toxins. Do you have hormone problems in your family?
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Toxin exposure: We are all exposed to thousands of man-made chemicals every day. Many of these chemicals are hormone disruptors, meaning they interfere with how your hormones work.
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Stress: This is a huge cause of hormone imbalances due to the effect of cortisol (your main stress hormone) on all your other hormones.
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Lifestyle factors: Poor nutrition (especially too much sugar!), lack of sleep, and lack of exercise affect your hormonal balance in very profound ways.
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Age: If you are 25 years old your hormonal symptoms are likely caused by very different factors than if you are 55. We go through predictable hormone changes throughout our lifetime, but not all women have PMS or menopausal symptoms. So why you? If you aren’t feeling good, please don’t blame it on your age!
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It’s time for an evaluation to understand how your body is working, then a personalized plan to restore your wellness. It just makes sense! The solution will be different for everyone, because we need to address YOUR unique circumstances. Feel free to schedule a complimentary phone consultation to see what the best next steps are for you.
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