Top 5 Most Common Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance (& what to do about it)

Jan 24, 2020 | Hormone Health

Health, happiness … and hormones. Our hormones play such a vital role in how we feel and often times can go overlooked or can be mis-attributed to another cause. I am so passionate about helping you get to the root of your symptoms so that you can truly feel well, sustainably!

If you’re anything like me, you may have felt overwhelmed by all the information out there about not only our health, but hormones in particular. Each body is so unique and there are so many contributing factors to our own hormonal response. So, let’s clarify some of these common symptoms.

If any of these top 5 most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance sounds like you, please read on as there may be an underlying hormonal imbalance. And if so, you’ve come to the right place. I have helped many clients heal from hormonal imbalance and I’d love to support you, too. 

Heal Your hormones text over image of apricots

Top 5 Most Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

1. LOW ENERGY

Do you have low energy overall, or find it hard to get started in the morning? Do you find you’re tired in the afternoon but then get an energy boost in the evening? Are you experiencing fatigue?

2. DIGESTIVE ISSUES OR POOR DIGESTION

Do you experience bloating, abdominal discomfort, difficulty having bowel movements, or irregular bowel movements?

3. WEIGHT GAIN 

Do you find you’ve gained weight despite eating well and exercising, and/or have gained weight rapidly?

4. ANXIETY, IRRITABILITY, DEPRESSION OR MOODINESS

Do you feel extra emotional, mentally sluggish, anxious, or do you experience mood swings and irritability? 

5. DIFFICULTY FALLING ASLEEP OR STAYING ASLEEP 

Are you experiencing insomnia or having trouble falling asleep at night? 

Any of these sound all too familiar?

Before we explore what you can do about it right now, let’s better understand what hormones actually are. As in many things with life, hormones really are all about balance. In this case, hormones act as messengers for your body. Imagine each hormone sending signals to every organ, helping it to determine your weight, mood, body temperature, digestion, stress response, food cravings, metabolism, menstrual cycle, and so many other things! That’s a big job to do, and we want to help our team of hormones be the very best we can. 
Your endocrine system creates and distributes these chemical messengers. When your hormones are in balance, they are practically a super power. They help us sleep well, feel calm, maintain a healthy weight, support healthy skin, peak energy levels, and so much more— all the things we all wish we had all the time and are very possible to achieve! It’s certainly a complex and vast system made up of various glands.

Now in case you’re wondering which endocrine glands secrete your hormones, there are quite a few…

  • Brain (hypothalamus and pineal and pituitary glands)
  • Thyroid
  • Thymus
  • Parathyroid
  • Adrenals
  • Pancreas
  • Reproductive glands (ovaries and testes)
These are all key players in your overall hormone health. And there are also key hormones that are rather important for you to know as well. Such as…

MELATONIN:

DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUR SLEEP CYCLES AND PATTERNS. IF THIS HORMONE IS IMBALANCED, IT CAN LEAD TO SLEEPING DIFFICULTIES AND INSOMNIA.

CORTISOL:

HEARD OF “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” RESPONSE? CORTISOL CONTROLS YOUR STRESS RESPONSE.

TESTOSTERONE:

INFLUENCES NOT ONLY YOUR SEX DRIVE BUT ALSO OVERALL MOTIVATION. PRESENT IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALES.

PROGESTERONE:

KEY IN MAINTAINING A HEALTHY PREGNANCY.

ADRENALINE:

THIS HORMONE IS LINKED TO YOUR “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” RESPONSE AND INCREASES BLOOD FLOW, HEART RATE, PUPIL DILATION, AND BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS.

…and there are more!

So what can you do now?

  1. Eat more fiber. The food you eat directly impacts your hormone levels so one way is to up your fiber content through organic whole foods, and specifically cruciferous vegetables (think: broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts).
  2. Increase your healthy fat intake. Think coconut butter, avocado, ghee, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, and nut butters.
  3. Get some rest. Nothing replaces the value of true rest. Give yourself the gift of slowing down and your body will start to respond favorably.
  4. Lower stress. Work to eliminate unnecessary stressors in your life, and manage your response to other life’s stressors by taking yoga classes, practicing deep breathing throughout your day, scheduling a weekly lunch date with a friend or colleague, or doing that thing that brings you more joy.
  5. Balance your blood sugar. You can do this by reducing stimulants (switch from coffee to green tea), eating healthy fats as listed above, and adding some protein to each meal.
  6. Switch to Natural Products. We are already inundated with so many toxins in our environment that maintaining a chemical free home is paramount in supporting your body and hormones. Opt to natural cleaning supplies as well as the products that you use on your skin and body. Not sure if the products you’re using are clean? Search here…
It’s entirely possible to balance our hormones naturally. It’s entirely possible to regain your sense of wellness in your body and mind. I’m here to support and empower you to reclaim your health and well-being. It’s your right to heal, and I want that for you. 

Related Podcast Episodes:

#39: The Benefits of Estrogen & Progesterone
Estrogen and Progesterone: Understanding the crucial role these two hormones play in your life and how to tell if there is an imbalance can improve a lot more than your period.



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