Hormone Imbalances: Your Silent Signals of a System under Stress

Hormones play a vital role in your overall wellness. They regulate numerous bodily functions, including reproductive processes, mood, and metabolism. A disruption of these intricate processes can result in a range of bothersome symptoms that can affect your quality of life. Hormone imbalance can also be the first sign of a problem within your body. In this blog post, we will discuss common hormone complaints, possible causes, and testing.

Menstrual Irregularities

Menstrual irregularities are a common hormonal complaint—and they shouldn’t be ignored. The menstrual cycle is primarily regulated by a delicate balance of hormones, including estrogen (estradiol) and progesterone. An imbalance of these hormones can cause irregular periods, heavy bleeding, clots, or painful cramps.

Common causes of menstrual irregularities include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, perimenopause, and stress. When evaluating your menstrual cycle, the provider should get a thorough history and perform appropriate testing.

The cause of the menstrual disruption matters

and menstrual irregularities caused by hypothyroidism would likely be addressed differently than those caused by PCOS or perimenopause, for example.

Mood Changes

Many people experience mood changes during their menstrual cycle, such as irritability, depression, or anxiety. These changes are often related to fluctuations in estrogen (estradiol) and progesterone levels.

Other hormonal imbalances, such as low thyroid hormone levels, low vitamin D, neurotransmitter imbalances, high histamine, or Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction (previously referred to as adrenal insufficiency), can also cause mood changes. In some cases, mood changes may be related to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Weight Gain

Weight gain is a common hormonal complaint as we approach and during menopause. As we age, hormone levels begin to fluctuate, causing a decrease in estrogen levels. This decrease in estrogen can lead to weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area. In addition, diminished thyroid function, increased cortisol, and insulin resistance can contribute to unwanted weight gain.

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the most common symptom of many imbalances, including low thyroid levels, HPA axis dysfunction, low testosterone levels, and low nutrients—such as iron, B vitamins, or vitamin D. These imbalances can affect energy levels and make it difficult to complete daily activities. Many also report their fatigue worsens as they near their period.

Hair Loss or Thinning

Hair loss or hair thinning is another common hormonal complaint that can cause a lot of stress. Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by thyroid disorders, high cortisol/stress levels, or menopause, can lead to hair loss. Androgenic alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss, is also related to issues with testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

The Bottom Line

Hormonal imbalances can cause a range of disruptive symptoms that can negatively impact your quality of life. Menstrual irregularities, mood changes, weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss are common hormone complaints, but it does not mean they are normal or that you need to suffer. Women also deserve more than a birth control pill or antidepressant.

A personalized, functional medicine approach to these symptoms involves a detailed history, a review of current supplements and medications, and the appropriate laboratory workup. This includes an appropriately timed evaluation of your reproductive hormones performed at the right part of your cycle or options that look at hormone levels throughout your cycle. A root cause assessment always includes an evaluation of your cortisol levels over the course of 24 hours.

If you’re ready to take control of your health, let our team at Abundant Health Life help you identify the root causes of your health struggles. Register for our webinar on hormones here to learn more about our approach to diagnosis and treatment, including our SOS Stress Recovery Program.