11 Common Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

The endocrine system doesn’t get the attention it needs which is why we end up dealing with inexplicable changes in the body.

The endocrine system regulates and releases hormones. These are the chemical messengers in your body that travel across the bloodstream and regulate your body functions. Hormones regulate your hunger, sleep patterns, blood sugar, immunity, sex life… Hormonal imbalances can trigger a chaos in your body.

Main glands

Pituitary: It’s the brain of the whole operation. It controls other glands and growth.

Hypothalamus: It’s the second most important gland. It regulates the release of hormones from other glands, hunger, mood, thirst, sleep and sex drive.

“Worker” glands

Parathyroid gland regulates calcium levels.

Thymus affects the adaptation of your immune system and the release of T-cells (white blood cells that prevent diseases)

Pancreas regulates blood sugar level via insulin.

Thyroid gland burns calories and regulates heart rate.

Adrenal glands release hormone that regulates your sex drive and cortisol levels. This hormone is released in stressful situations.

Pinela or Thalamus releases melatonin and enhances sleeping.

Ovaries excrete estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. This hormone regulates pregnancy, puberty, bones, hair growth, mood and menstrual cycle.

Testes excrete testosterone in men, hormone important for bone density, puberty, muscle mass growth, strength and facial hair.

Endocrine disruptors

• Endocrine disruptors interfere with the function of your hormones:
• Mimic hormones and take their “place” in the body
• Block the excretion of hormones
• Lower the effect of hormones
• Block the bonding of hormones
• Affect the target’s response to hormones

In pregnant women, endocrine disruptors cause developmental problems. In adults, they cause numerous health conditions, triggering a chain reaction:

• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Tumor
• Injury
• Radiation or chemotherapy
• Chemicals

11 things that happen to your body in case of hormonal imbalance

Women-specific hormonal imbalance

Women deal with hormonal imbalances every month as their main hormones (estrogen, testosterone and progesterone) go up and down during the menstrual cycle. The same applies to pregnant and menopausal women. But, hormonal imbalances may trigger other issues, and may be caused by different factors. Here are the most common symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Weight gain or loss
• Mood swings
• Thinning hair or increased hair growth on face, neck and body
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Abnormal bleeding (may not be related to menstrual cycle)
• Difficulty conceiving or miscarriage

Men-specific hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance aren’t common in men and are usually related to aging. By 40, men have a lower production of growth hormone and testosterone. Low levels of testosterone affect the adrenal gland and cortisol levels. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Decreased sex drive
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Drop in muscle mass
• Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
• Adrenal dysfunction (Andropause or Adrenal fatigue)
• Decrease in body hair
• Infertility
• Lower sperm count

Other hormonal imbalances

Thyroid disorder

It may be hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism describes poor function of the thyroid gland, and is accompanied with weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, dizziness, dry skin and a feeling of cold. Hyperthyroidism is a condition of overly productive thyroid gland, and causes weight loss, high energy, hunger, rapid heart rate, etc.

Diabetes

The body is unable to break down glucose. Some of the symptoms include thirst, hunger, craving for sugar (sweets), frequent urination, poor stamina and blurred vision.

Addison disease

It’s a disorder that affects the production of adrenal hormones. Experts can’t determine the real cause of the disease, but they reveal that the immune system actually attacks the adrenal cortex. The symptoms are related to potassium and sodium levels in the body, including dehydration, dark skin patches, dizziness upon getting up, fluctuating sodium levels, low blood sugar, fluctuations in blood pressure, and many others.

Recognize hormonal imbalances

If one of your gland is affected, it will affect the function of your other glands. Doctors are sometimes unable to detect the real cause. The symptoms may develop overtime, and they are usually ignored at the beginning. That’s why you should pay more attention to the signs in your body.

Stick to a healthy diet plan and be more active. Sometimes the treatments involve a surgery or medication.

Final words

Consult your doctor to determine whether you are dealing with a hormonal imbalance. Avoid stress and focus on healthy diet plans. Sleep well at night, and don’t forget to do your regular check-ups.

Source