8 minute read

I have to say, after years of female coaching, the term ‘hormone imbalance’ is likely used the most. Hormones are blamed for almost all female symptoms – not by professionals, but by women themselves. In this article, I’ll break down the truth about hormones for you, and provide some solutions to hormone imbalance. 

What are ‘Hormones’?

When hormones aren’t balanced right, they can cause issues – mood swings, bad PMS, poor sleep, water retention, anxiety – pretty much everything could come down to hormones. So what gives?

Hormones are chemical messengers that control many functions in the body, from regulating metabolism and mood to maintaining reproductive health and energy levels. When these hormones are in balance, our bodies function optimally. However, even a slight imbalance can lead to a range of health issues, affecting everything from sleep and digestion to fertility and mental well-being.

Hormones extend beyond what you might think, including sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. What the everyday woman doesn’t know is that insulin (blood sugar regulator), and cortisol (stress-response hormone) are the key regulators. When they’re off, everything is off. 

What is a Hormonal Imbalance?

Before going into this, I want to highlight that your hormones will change throughout the day, month, season, and your lifetime.  When hormones are ‘imbalanced’, there is often a very good reason! 

 Hormones adjust their levels based on the body signals – what it needs at the time. So when there is an imbalance, it is actually up to us to work out what that is, and make changes in our lifestyle in order to correct it.  

When you experience symptoms, it’s likely that there is too much or too little of a particular hormone (or hormones) in the bloodstream. It can occur at any age, but certain life stages — such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and andropause — are more prone to hormonal fluctuations. 

Stress, diet, lifestyle, and medical conditions can also disrupt hormonal levels.

Common Signs of Hormonal Imbalances

Not to be used to diagnose, but here are the ways in which hormone imbalance can present: 

Chronic Fatigue: Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest may be linked to hormonal imbalances. For instance, low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can slow down metabolism, leading to low energy. Similarly, adrenal imbalances, such as low cortisol levels, can result in chronic exhaustion.

Weight Gain or Difficulty Losing Weight: Unexplained weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, can signal a hormonal imbalance, especially when coupled with difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise (and no, this doesn’t count if you didn’t follow a well-written diet properly)

Additionally, insulin resistance, often related to hormonal issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also contribute to weight fluctuations.

Mood Swings and Anxiety:  Hormonal fluctuations can significantly affect mood and mental health. Low estrogen levels are associated with increased irritability, anxiety, and depression, especially during menopause or after childbirth. 

Irregular Periods or Menstrual Changes: For women, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or missed cycles can be a sign of hormonal imbalances, particularly in estrogen and progesterone. These imbalances are often seen in conditions such as PCOS or perimenopause.

Low sex drive: A decrease in sexual desire can be linked to low levels of estrogen in women or testosterone in men. Hormonal shifts during menopause or andropause can often result in reduced libido.

Sleep Problems: Hormonal imbalances, especially in cortisol and melatonin, can disrupt sleep patterns. If you find yourself waking up frequently at night or having trouble falling asleep, your hormones could be to blame. Low progesterone levels in women, particularly during the premenstrual or perimenopausal phases, can also affect sleep quality.

Skin Issues: Hormonal imbalances can manifest through skin problems such as acne, dry skin, or increased oiliness. Elevated androgen levels, for example, can cause excess oil production, leading to acne breakouts, particularly in women with PCOS.

Hair Loss or Thinning: Hair thinning or hair loss is often related to imbalances in thyroid hormones, estrogen, or testosterone. High levels of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, can cause hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair loss in both men and women.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalances (and some solutions). 

Generally speaking, stress, diet, sleep issues, medical conditions that impact the thyroid or metabolism can be the cause of a hormone imbalance. Your diet should always prioritise whole foods, and stress needs to be managed if you are to maintain a healthy hormone profile. 

Prioritising sleep, exercising most days, getting your daily steps, and maintaining a healthy weight will also assist you in maintaining healthy hormone levels. 

In summary, hormonal imbalances can affect many aspects of your health. With the right strategies (and some accountability), you can restore balance and improve your quality of life.

By managing stress, eating a nutrient-rich diet, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight, you can support your body’s natural ability to regulate hormones.

For more severe imbalances, professional guidance may be necessary to explore treatment options tailored to your specific needs – be it a naturopath or a medical doctor – whichever resonates for you!

Jen X