Hormones are the chemical messengers in our body that ensure all our bodily functions are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. Hormone imbalance throws our entire system into disarray and makes it hard for the various organs to function in an organized manner.
Hormones are responsible for controlling various critical functions in our body. When these tiny powerhouses do not function in sync with each other, we experience a range of debilitating health issues. Very often doctors diagnose the health problems wrongly and attribute them to other reasons. This failure to diagnose the underlying and deep seated hormone malfunctioning makes us a helpless prisoner of something that should be rectified and treated easily.
Here are a few reasons why we should always think about a possible hormone imbalance in the body when experiencing prolonged health issues.
The Bodily Chemical Balance Is Extremely Delicate
Hormonal imbalance in the body depends on various factors. Thousands of chemicals need to interact in a balanced and coordinated manner to ensure our metabolism, reproduction and growth occur in a regulated and optimal manner. Even a slight imbalance can alter our physical biochemistry and lead to medical problems.
Hormones work hand in hand, and in human body all hormones are interlinked by a complex cause-effect action. For example, the key hormone insulin is regulated by another hormone glucagon, and estrogen is balanced by progesterone. When one hormone is in excess or in extremely low quantity, then the working of the other is affected. Also, it does not take much for hormones to go out of whack in our bodies either.
Women are more susceptible to hormone changes due to the complex nature of changes happening on a regular basis in their bodies. Menstruation, reproduction and menopause bring about a massive upheaval of hormones in female bodies. If the delicate biochemical balance is not achieved and maintained, it can lead to serious health problems. So the most important thing is that you stay tuned to how you feel and keep track of the changes that are taking place over the course of various phases of your life span.
Important Hormones
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone play very important roles in regulating emotions, metabolism, reproductive cycles and other bodily activities in a woman’s body. An imbalance can lead to almost all these activities getting affected.
Estrogen is the most important female hormone that prepares the body for the monthly menstrual cycle and for pregnancy. Thickening of the uterine lining and vaginal wall prepares the uterus for childbirth. When no pregnancy occurs, the estrogen levels drop and this releases the uterine lining as menstrual flow.
Progesterone is released towards the later stages of the menstrual cycle. The role of progesterone is to maintain the uterine lining and protect the fertilized egg. When there is no pregnancy, the level of progesterone in the body drops and menstruation ensues. The hormone also develops muscle mass, and increases energy level and libido.
PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that women experience during the run-up to their periods. Moodiness, fatigue, bloating, acne, irritability and food cravings are all attributed to sudden spike in progesterone level in the body.
Low levels of estrogen leads to several tell-tale symptoms like hot flashes, night sweat, hair loss, brain fog, vaginal dryness and inconsistent or lack of menstrual cycle. Excess estrogen can cause fibroids and also increases risk of cancer.
Weight gain, slow metabolism, insomnia, anxiety, allergy symptoms, migraine and joint pains, and low sexual drive are commonly seen when progesterone level drop below the optimal level.
Importance of Testosterone
Testosterone, though primarily a male hormone, also plays a very important role in women’s health and wellbeing. Testosterone helps build lean muscle mass and improves stamina. The hormone also improves sex drive and enhances the mood.
Menopause results in a decrease in testosterone level in women. Dipping levels are also seen in women in perimenopause stage, especially in women in their late thirties and forties. Brittle hair and nails, low sex drive, decreasing bone density and fatigue are symptoms of testosterone deficiency. Some prescription drugs and hysterectomy also leads to a dip in testosterone production.
Natural Ways to Balance Hormones
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended by doctors to address a lot of health problems that stem from hormonal imbalance. Bioidentical and synthetic hormone therapies are also preferred methods.
Consumption of healthy fats from sources like salmon and grass-fed beef, balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fat intake, regular exercise, adequate supplement intake, following a healthy lifestyle, and access to tested home remedies all help restore hormone balance and soothe the symptoms.
Before trying out treatments it is important that you carry out comprehensive hormone testing and determine where exactly you have a problem.
Conclusion
Hormone imbalance can occur at any time, thereby disrupting the delicate biological clockwork of our body. But if you are aware of your health needs and address all health problems in time, then you will be able to tackle the problem of hormone imbalance and remediate it.
