Did you know that it’s estimated that 80% of women suffer from hormone imbalances? Testosterone and estrogen issues can cause a variety of physical and mental health symptoms.
We’re going to help you figure out how to spot signs of hormonal imbalances in women. If any of the following signs of hormonal imbalance sound familiar, prepare to consult your doctor.
1. Challenging Cycles
If you’re noticing strange things about your menstrual cycle, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance. Watch out for the following things.
Heavy periods where you are changing your tampon or pad too frequently are a cause for concern. If this symptom is left untreated, you can suffer from anemia and other serious health problems.
Periods that come too frequently are a warning your hormones need to be checked. On the other hand, irregular periods or periods that don’t come at all are something you shouldn’t ignore either.
This could be a sign that you are premenopausal or heading into menopause. You may require hormone replacement therapy. You can check out those treatments located here.
2. Digestive and Weight Fluctuations
Weight gain or weight loss that doesn’t have any other reason could be linked to your hormones. This can be caused by an estrogen hormone named “estradiol.”
Stubborn belly fat that just won’t go away no matter what you do is a symptom of hormone imbalances, as well as, moon face. While moon face isn’t a dangerous symptom, it can affect self-esteem because of the extra fat or water causing the face to appear puffy or bloated.
In the same vein, if you’ve noticed that you are craving certain foods, your hormones could be to blame. Your thyroid or adrenals could be responsible for those sweet or salty food cravings.
Disrupted hormones can cause an array of digestive problems. If you’ve ruled out other reasons for the following issues, have your hormones checked:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Excessive flatulence
- General intestinal discomfort
3. Mental Health
Estrogen can have major effects on your mental and emotional state. Spiking estrogen can cause you to vacillate between moods and encounter depression and anxiety.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is made by your adrenal glands. When this one is out of order you will experience bouts of extreme stress or may feel intense fatigue.
4. Physical Changes
You may notice changes in your physical appearance, such as your skin and hair, when hormone levels are off. For instance, acne is a common symptom of an imbalance. Course, dark hair showing up in places it doesn’t normally grow such as your face, chest, and back is another sign of imbalance.
If your thyroid is the problem, you may have trouble with your sweat glands. Excess sweating could be pointing you to having your thyroid levels tested.
Final Signs of Hormone Imbalance
A few last things to watch out for are low libido, vaginal dryness, and body temperature regulation. Hot flashes and night sweats are a sign your hormone levels are dropping, which you want to have dealt with sooner rather than later.
If you are suffering from several of these issues that don’t have other explanations, it’s time to have a chat with your doctor. For more information like this, continue reading on our health blog!
