Are Your Hormones Balanced? Signs of Hormonal Imbalances
The term “balanced hormones” has been a buzz phrase in the health and wellness space for the past few years.
But what exactly does this phrase mean? Why are balanced hormones even important?
These may be some questions you have after hearing an influencer mention a supplement that “balances your hormones”. Or maybe you are off googling your symptoms and see the term come up.
You also may be wondering how to tell if your hormones are balanced or what signs of hormonal imbalances to watch out for.
In today’s article, my plan is to go over just that!
As a women’s health dietitian, my nutrition clients come to me with certain signs and symptoms that just won’t seem to go away. They know they physically don’t feel right- but can’t figure out what is going on internally.
Time and time again we find out that hormonal imbalances were a huge factor! Because when your hormones are not in harmony, the rest of your body has a hard time functioning properly.
Keep reading to learn more about what balanced hormones are and the signs of hormonal imbalances to watch out for.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out my article on hormone basics! It gives a great overview of what hormones are and their functions.
What are Balanced Hormones?
Your hormones are created and secreted by your endocrine system. They are tiny chemical messengers that send signals to your body to tell it to specific actions. Based on many factors, your hormones are meant to be released in certain amounts.
Too much or too little of one hormone compared to another can throw off the equilibrium and balance within your body.
Imagine a scale with one hormone on one side and another hormone on the other. When you have an equal amount on either side, the scale is balanced and doesn’t tip in one way or the other.
However, if your production of one hormone starts to decline and you make less of it, the scale will start to tip in one direction. This imbalance can lead to unwanted signs and symptoms due to dysregulation inside your body.
This is also true if you start overproducing a hormone and the scale goes in the other direction. Either way, there is a disruption of unity among your hormones and your body may compensate with signs and symptoms.
The next section will go over some typical signs of hormonal imbalances and what it may look like for someone.
Signs of Hormonal Imbalances
Now that you know a bit more about hormones and why they need to be balanced, let’s get into some common signs and symptoms of imbalanced hormones.
1. Irregular or painful cycles
Many women suffer from irregular and/or painful menstrual cycles. To the point where it’s kind of considered the norm these days.
But if you’ve read my content in the past, then you know that I am here to remind you that your menstrual cycles don’t need to be painful or inconsistent!
A healthy cycle is an indicator of good hormonal health, while vice versa is true for hormonal imbalances. If your sex hormone levels are off, this can affect the length, duration, and severity of your cycle and related symptoms.
Tips:
I highly encourage you to get your sex hormones tested through a Dutch test if you have painful periods or irregular cycles.
2. Skin conditions
Many skin conditions can be linked to imbalances of certain hormones. These skin conditions include hormonal acne, eczema, dry skin, and more.
Having low levels of hormones like estrogen or an underactive thyroid can lead to a variety of different skin issues.
Tips:
Visit a dermatologist to help with any outward skin issues. Consult with a dietitian (like myself!) to work on balancing your hormones. You can also support your skin health with many nutrients and lifestyle changes.
3. Infertility
Did you know that the number of infertile women is on the rise?
Yes, it’s true! And hormonal imbalances are the number one reason why. Over 25% is due to anovulation or the lack of ovulation.
One of the most common causes of infertility and hormonal imbalances in women is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by an excess of male sex hormones called androgens.
Tips:
If you are dealing with PCOS and infertility, there are plenty of dietary strategies that you can implement to help. These include nutrients and supplements that lower androgen levels that can be causing infertility.
Again, I highly recommend a Dutch test to figure out your hormone levels so you can treat infertility at the source.
4. Digestive issues
If you are dealing with digestive symptoms that just don’t seem to go away- your hormones may play a role!
Hormonal imbalances can cause problems with your digestive tract such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.
Your hormones affect your gut function by influencing your gut microbiome and bacterial system (which is the collection of microorganisms in your GI tract).
Different levels of hormones can alter the composition of your microbiome by positively and negatively affecting bacteria.
There is even something called the “estrogen-gut microbiome axis” that highlights how varying levels of estrogen can affect your microbiome.
Tips:
Along with hormone testing, you can also see about getting a gut health test called a GI map. You can work to increase the microbial diversity in your gut by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other high-fiber foods.
For more info on what a GI map is and how it can help you, check out this blog post.
5. Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the term used to describe excessive hair growth due to an increase in male sex hormones. It is a very normal sign of PCOS that many women with the condition have to deal with.
They find that their hair grows faster, thicker, and in more areas of their body. Hirsutism is generally caused by an imbalance of hormones, aka an excess of androgens.
Tips:
Hirsutism is a huge red flag for PCOS. If you are dealing with excessive hair growth and other related symptoms, I’d encourage you to talk to your doctor about a PCOS diagnosis. After you’ve been diagnosed, a specialized dietitian can help you navigate your PCOS.
6. Insomnia/Fatigue
Many people with hormonal imbalances find that they are more tired throughout the day and suffer from fatigue. This can be due to insomnia and/or poor quality of sleep.
Your hormone levels can cause chaos in your sleep patterns. And vice versa, a lack of sleep can lead to an increase in hormonal issues. It is a cycle you do not want to be in!
Tips:
Focus on your sleep hygiene, which is the practice you do to help you fall asleep at night. Try shutting down your screens earlier, going to bed earlier, listening to white noise, and/or using supportive sleep supplements.
Although if you don’t balance your hormones and get to the root cause of your issue, your sleep hygiene can only improve so much!
10 Signs of Hormonal Imbalances
While I took the time to talk about the six specific signs of hormonal imbalances above, I want to do a quick rapid-fire round of other signs of hormonal imbalances. It is important to watch out and pay attention to these as well.
Mood swings
Slow or rapid heartbeat
Deepening of voice
Breast tenderness
Headaches
Mental health conditions (anxiety/depression)
Vaginal dryness
Low sex drive
Unintended weight gain
High or low blood pressure
The Takeaway
As someone who has had PCOS for over a decade along with other autoimmune conditions, I understand what it is like to feel out of control with your health and hormones. The good news is, you can feel in control again, and I am here to help you achieve that!
Working with a qualified dietitian like myself can help you navigate your hormonal imbalances through evidence-based recommendations. We will work side-by-side to find a path to healing that feels right for you.
Reach out to me today through my services page to set up a discovery call today! I’d love to hear from you.