What is hormone imbalance?
Hormone imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands and released into the blood to regulate various bodily functions. Some key hormones include:
- Estrogen - regulates the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
- Progesterone - works with estrogen in the female reproductive cycle and pregnancy
- Testosterone - regulates the male reproductive system and secondary male characteristics
- Thyroid hormones - regulate metabolism, growth, development, and body temperature
- Insulin - regulates blood sugar levels
Common symptoms of hormone imbalance may include:
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Acne and skin changes
- Depression and anxiety
- Low libido
- Fatigue
What causes hormone imbalance?
Hormone levels can be disrupted by various factors like:
- Chronic stress
- Poor diet and lack of exercise
- Thyroid disorders
- Pregnancy and menopause
- Hormonal birth control
- Illnesses
If you suspect a hormone imbalance, get your levels tested by an endocrinologist. They may order blood tests, urine tests or imaging scans to check your pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands and reproductive organs.
Based on test results, they can provide customized treatment plans involving:
- Hormone replacement therapy: Taking estrogen, testosterone or thyroid medication to restore optimal levels
- Birth control pills or patches: To regulate menstrual cycles and pms symptoms
- Stress management and lifestyle changes: Getting enough sleep, regular exercise, nutritious anti-inflammatory diet
- Supplements and herbal remedies: Maca, primrose oil, Ashwagandha, Vitamin D, etc. can help
At Optimized Hormones, our endocrinologists specialize in hormone testing and personalized treatment plans involving bioidentical hormones, nutrition plans and stress reduction techniques to restore hormone balance naturally.