What is hormone imbalance?
Hormones are extremely important chemical messengers that regulate many of the body's functions. When hormone levels become too high or too low, it can negatively impact one's health. This is known as hormone imbalance.
Some common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes like depression or anxiety
- Loss of muscle mass
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Infertility or irregular periods
What causes hormone imbalance?
There are a few potential causes:
- Natural aging: As we get older, hormone levels naturally decline. For women, this often happens during perimenopause and menopause.
- Chronic stress: High levels of cortisol from chronic stress can disrupt other hormones.
- Poor diet: Eating too much processed food and not enough nutrient-dense whole foods can impact hormone levels. Lack of fiber can also disrupt estrogen levels.
- Obesity: Excess body fat, especially around the midsection, can change the way estrogen is metabolized and disrupt other hormones.
- Lack of exercise: Regular exercise helps balance hormone levels, so not exercising enough could cause imbalances.
- Chronic illness: Health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, and autoimmune diseases are linked to hormone imbalances.
- Medications: Birth control pills, steroids and some blood pressure medications can impact hormone production.
How is hormone imbalance treated?
If you suspect a hormone imbalance, it's important to see a doctor who specializes in hormone health, like the caring providers at Harmony Hormone Clinic. They can order blood tests to check your hormone levels and help determine the cause of the imbalance.
Some treatment options may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Eating a healthy diet, managing stress, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help restore balance.
- Herbal supplements: Herbs like maca, black cohosh, and vitex have been shown to support hormone balance. Always check with your doctor before starting any new supplement.
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy: Your doctor may prescribe bioidentical estrogens, progesterone or testosterone to get your levels back to optimal ranges.
- Medications or birth control pills: Your doctor may prescribe medications or adjust hormone medications you're already taking.
- Surgery: For some conditions like endometriosis, surgeons can remove cysts/tumors/scar tissue to help improve hormone balance.
The knowledgeable and caring medical team at Harmony Hormone Clinic can provide safe, effective treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Visit