Menopause is the most common cause of hormonal imbalance in women. If you have gone through, or are going through, menopause, then hormone replacement therapy can likely help to relieve some of the symptoms. However, it is not the only cause for hormonal imbalances in women. Anything from poor diet, to medications, to lack of exercise may influence your hormone production. Even as you age, your hormonal production declines, elevating the chance that you might suffer from a hormonal imbalance.
Hormones are extremely important substances and are responsible for a lot in your body. When they become imbalance, you may notice some painful or unpleasant symptoms that come about as a result. If you notice any symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, it is a wise idea to have your hormone levels measured, and if an imbalance is found, to seek out hormone replacement therapy to prevent any further damage from occurring.
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it may be because of a hormonal imbalance:
Weight Gain
Your ability to gain and lose weight is highly influenced by your hormones, although it is not always so obvious. Many people believe that diet, physical activity, and your general lifestyle are the only factors that really matter, but the truth is that a hormonal imbalance can make it exceptionally difficult to lose weight, or to even maintain the weight you are already at. Some women who have healthy diets and lifestyles, but suffer from hormonal imbalance, can have a difficult time losing any weight at all. Even more worrying, some women tend to continue gaining weight no matter what they try.
Loss of Muscle Mass
Hormones affect weight through both fat and muscle, as they are extremely important for your body’s metabolism. When your hormones become unbalanced, your body may prefer to break down existing muscle instead of stored fat to provide you with energy. The result of this is difficulty losing fat while experiencing muscle loss and weakness. When your hormones are where they should be, your metabolism should work well without the need of breaking down muscles so drastically.
Anxiety and Depression
Anyone who has gone through puberty knows that hormones can have a huge impact on your mood. However, it can also influence your mind much deeper than just the surface, and many people with hormonal imbalances suffer from neurotransmitter issues within their brain. These issues increase the risk of suffering from conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Fatigue and Sleep Loss
Because of their important to metabolism, hormones can have a huge impact on your energy levels. When your hormones are imbalanced, it may cause you to feel lethargic much more often, and may make it difficult to even get out of bed. This fatigue is made worse by the fact that many hormonal imbalances can make it difficult to get to sleep in the first place, resulting in a dangerous cycle of poor sleep and poor energy that makes it difficult to get through the day.
Note: these are simply some of the more common symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and is not a comprehensive list. Hormonal imbalances can cause a wide variety of side effects, and if you suspect you suffer from an imbalance, visit a doctor immediately to have your levels measured.