Ten hormonal imbalance signs women ignore

As many as 80 per cent of women experience a flactuation of chemicals in charge of regulating body functions such as appetite and libido. But they can’t be blamed for ignoring the symptoms, which can be confusing even for medical doctors as Jasmine Otieno writes

1. Weight gain

If you’ve been dieting and exercising, but you’re still not losing weight, or if you are gaining weight despite watching what you are eating, then your hormones might be imbalanced.

There are many conditions tied to hormonal imbalance and weight gain including diabetes, thyroid disorder, cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

2. Change of appetite and food cravings 

You may experience changes in your appetite when you have a hormonal imbalance.

Your body may be producing more ghrelin, (hunger hormone) than normal, so you feel a greater urge to eat.

Gherlin  stimulates your appetite and drives you to increase your food intake. It can also cause a decrease in food cravings.

This happens when the level of leptin in your body, also known as the satiety hormone, is on overdrive.

This hormone regulates hunger. If your body is producing too much of it, you may have no desire to eat.

3. Headaches

There are different types of headache triggers, but a lot of women suffer from this condition when their estrogen level drops.

This usually happens just prior to having a period. Hormonal headaches and bad migraines can be easily relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.

However, for the more aggressive ones, you may need to take birth control pills to keep your estrogen level balanced.

Additionally, eat the right foods, do daily exercises, hydrate, focus on positive thoughts, and get adequate sleep.

Observe your body and your period cycle as well to determine any triggers that intensify your period migraine so you can avoid them.

4. Digestive problems

Deep within the cell linings of the gastrointestinal tract are hormone receptors.

When your hormone levels change, your digestive process also changes. Irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive discomfort develop when your serotonin levels are low.

Sometimes, you feel more constipated before you have your period, right? Once this phase passes, don’t you have an easier time doing your business? This is caused by hormonal fluctuations.

5. Brain fog

Forgetfulness or memory lapse for many women isn’t just a sign of aging, but a sign of hormonal imbalance.

When you’re under duress, your cortisol (stress hormone) level increases, which can disrupt your brain function.

Several studies have shown some links between stress and memory loss. Interestingly, your body needs cortisol in healthy amounts for many functions such as regulating blood sugar levels, helping with metabolism, or reducing body inflammation.

6. No mood for intimacy

Lowered estrogen levels may cause breast soreness and tenderness, pain during intercourse, or dryness in your groin area that can make intimate moments with your partner unenjoyable.

Women whose intimate life may be affected by hormonal imbalance can change this situation with a good diet and a doctor’s prescription to boost testosterone levels, according to research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. 

7. Mood swings

One moment you are good and the next you want to burn everything down? This happens, especially around your period’s time, or if you are menopausal.

You may feel more irritable or easily triggered to cry or anger if you have an excess in estrogen and a lack of progesterone.

On the other hand, you may feel more anxious or depressed when you have too much progesterone and a lack of estrogen.

Estrogen and progesterone affect your brain’s neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and nor epinephrine.

If the mood swings are severe and disrupt your normal functions, you might need to take medication to control the imbalance.

Try some talk therapy. You may also need to steer clear of foods and drinks rich in sugar or caffeine to prevent causing more disruptions to your hormones.

8. Acne breakouts

Chronic acne that pops up time and again, even if you have good skin care habits, may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. This happens when there is an increase in testosterone in your system.

This hormone may stimulate excess oil production that can cause dead skin cells to clog your pores.

A cystic acne breakout due to hormone imbalance can be painful and irritating. 

9. Irregular periods

A quarter of women apparently have irregular menstruation due to a hormone imbalance. It would be prudent to get yourself assessed if you have been experiencing irregular periods.

There are many factors tied to irregular periods. Doctors should be able to properly assess if you have amenorrhea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, or oligomenorrhea, as well as prescribe the needed treatment.

10. Sleeping problems

Your body releases progesterone from your ovaries when you sleep, to regulate your cycle. If this hormone’s level is low, then you may struggle with falling or staying asleep.

Sleeping can also be challenging for menopausal women because of night sweats and hot flashes. This happens when there’s a decrease in estrogen levels.