Hormones are the body’s own chemical messengers. Generated by the endocrine system, hormones travel throughout the bloodstream and affect numerous physiological functions, including productivity, metabolism, mood regulation, and more. As such, even slight changes in these hormone levels, caused by factors like stress, hormonal contraception, menopause, and infections, can affect optimal function.
Identifying the early signs of an Atlanta hormone health issue is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing associated symptoms. Here are some of the main hormonal imbalances you should watch out for.
1. Weight Fluctuations
Hormones regulate metabolism, which processes calories into energy. The slower your metabolism, the harder it will be to lose weight. You might experience increased cortisol and estrogen levels and reduced thyroxine levels.
These inconsistencies could result in unwanted fat accumulation in the body, particularly around the waist. Therefore, numerous individuals with hormonal imbalances complain of weight gain, despite remaining active and consuming a healthy diet.
2. Excessive Sweating
Some individuals notice their skin is excessively sweating, especially at night. Both issues could be signals that your hormones are imbalanced.
Hormones regulate body temperature. If not balanced, you may experience unexpected temperature changes. You might notice you wear a sweater to keep warm while your friends wear shorts and shirts. Likewise, you might wear light clothing in winter, when everybody is freezing. If this sounds familiar, you should see a hormone specialist.
3. Reduced Sex Drive
Variations in progesterone and estrogen can result in reduced sexual drive. For women, sex hormones released in the ovaries and when too high or low can affect your desire for intimacy. Such women often experience vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse uncomfortable. Likewise, men with reduced testosterone levels might experience reduced sexual desire, as well as issues like erectile dysfunction.
4. Digestive Issues
The lining of the intestines has hormone receptors. When balanced, the hormones allow the gastrointestinal system to function optimally, and you experience no negative symptoms. Unfortunately, the digestive system will react accordingly once these hormones are imbalanced.
You might experience abdominal discomfort, constipation, irritable bowel, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and nausea. However, most of these concerns could also stem from other health issues. Thus, finding a hormone specialist for an accurate diagnosis is important.
5. Fatigue
Everybody is tired occasionally. However, you should recover with enough hydration, rest, and a healthy diet. If you feel you are taking care of yourself but are still experiencing feelings of fatigue, you should undergo an assessment of your hormone levels. Hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue are more common in this fast-paced society than you might think, and a hormonal imbalance test could help diagnose this.
6. Sleep Problems
If you experience trouble getting to or remaining asleep, this could be another indicator of hormone imbalances. If your progesterone levels are low, this could make it harder to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Meanwhile, reduced estrogen levels can cause night sweats and hot flashes, which make restful sleep more elusive. If you are sleeping well but constantly feel fatigued, your progesterone levels might be overly high, or you might not be generating sufficient thyroid hormone.
Hormones are critical in various bodily functions, which means any fluctuations can cause undesirable symptoms. There are numerous signs of hormonal imbalances in both men and women. Even if your symptoms are not highlighted here, they could still be associated with hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy can be one way to resolve your imbalance. Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle adjustments to restore balance in your hormones. Meet with a doctor who can help you identify the root cause of your hormone imbalances and apply the right therapy.
