Unfortunately, hormonal imbalances affect up to 80% of women in the U.S. Chances are,
imbalanced hormones could be to blame for your unwanted symptoms and health issues. While this
might sound like bad news, there is hope. In many cases, hormonal imbalances are treatable
and manageable- sometimes even from the comfort of our own homes. So, it’s only a matter of
time before you get a handle on your hormones and say good-bye to hormonal symptoms!
What Are Hormones?
Hormones make up the endocrine system. Physiologically, they are chemicals produced and
secreted by the body. Hormones serve as messengers to regulate every day activities and
functions, like: metabolism, growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and
more.
Specifically in the female body, the most important hormones include:
● Cortisol- Responsible for regulating the body’s stress response
● Estrogen- Primarily regulates a women’s reproductive system
● Progesterone- Regulates menstruation and ovulation
● Testosterone- Helps maintain bones, muscle, mood, and libido
● Insulin- Regulates the metabolism of carbs, fat, and protein by promoting glucose
absorption
● Thyroid Hormones- Affects energy levels, libdo, metabolism, temperature regulation,
and more
These hormones, along with many others, work together to create optimal health and function
within the body. When any hormones are imbalanced, physiological chaos can arise and you’ll
likely feel it.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal balances don’t typically occur for no reason. In fact, almost everything we do on a
daily basis affects our hormones, including:
– Diet
– Exercise
– Genetics
– Sleep
– Hydration
– Medications
– Stress
– Underlying infections
– Inflammation
You do it, your hormones feel it. It’s our job to make choices that promote healthy hormones, not
hinder them.
Types of Hormonal Imbalances
Given the vast prevalence of hormonal imbalances, they can actually present in many different
forms. Some of the most common hormonal imbalances, include:
● Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
● PMS
● Endometriosis
● Thyroid disorders
● Adrenal fatigue
● Estrogen dominance
Oftentimes, these common hormonal imbalances can overlap with one another, too.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can range in severity and frequency. That said, the most
common signs that your hormones are out of whack are:
● Unstable mood
● Weight gain
● Insomnia
● Food cravings
● Low energy
● Brain fog
● Anxiety/depression
● Cold hands and feet
● Frequent sickness
● Headaches
● Skin problems
● Brittle nails
● Hair loss
While symptom analysis is very helpful in diagnosing a hormonal disorder, it’s important to work
with a healthcare professional, who can run further tests. A primary care physician or
endocrinologist can perform comprehensive blood tests to diagnose or rule out hormonal
imbalances.
Natural Ways to Balance Hormones
Fortunately (or not), all of our lifestyle choices drastically impact our hormones. Meaning, the
choice is ours. In most cases, we have the ability to naturally improve hormone balance at home
by implementing simple lifestyle and diet changes.
In fact, inflammation is one of the main players in hormone imbalance. The key is to decrease
overall inflammation within the body. Here’s how:
● Reduce stress levels
● Engage in regular exercise (preferably, low impact)
● Sleep at least 8 hours per night
● Adopt a whole food, antiinflammatory diet
○ Eliminate gluten, dairy, and processed sugar
Although hormone imbalances are extremely common today, the ball is in our court. Our
hormones affect every function within our body, so it’s in our best interest to treat them well!
What is one thing you can do today to love on your hormones?
