Are you one of the 44% of Americans who are tired 2 to 4 days of the week? We don’t mean a little sleepy around bedtime. We’re talking about being tired all the time, with no end in sight.
Many things make us tired and display other symptoms, but they could be signs of a hormone imbalance. Our hormones are responsible for so many essential functions in our bodies. Understanding hormones could be the first step toward finding an effective treatment.
Let’s dig into 7 major signs that you’ve got hormone issues.
1. Decreased Libido
A decreased lack of interest in sex can have many causes. This could include stress, depression, and relationship issues. Also, many women going through menopause report this symptom.
This could be due to a decrease in the level of sex hormones the body produces during menopause. Estrogen and testosterone are responsible for regulating our sex drive. When levels of these hormones drop, you may experience vaginal dryness, leading to painful sex which also impacts libido.
Hormone replacement therapy can help you by optimizing your hormone levels – learn more about it here. Bioidentical hormone therapy uses hormones derived from plant bases that are identical to those produced by the body. They are much better tolerated than synthetic hormones.
2. Insomnia
Are you struggling to get to sleep or stay asleep? It’s possible that your hormones aren’t doing you any favors. Progesterone is an important part of the body’s sleep package.
Levels of progesterone in women fall during their period and that can make sleep difficult. Men also produce progesterone, and low levels can lead to fatigue and depression.
If you’re also experiencing hot flashes and night sweats, another hormone – estrogen – may be to blame. When levels get lower during menopause, it can be tough to get a good night’s sleep.
Hormone replacement therapy can help to regulate these hormones and let you get a better night’s sleep. Getting more rest can have a huge impact on your overall quality of life.
3. Irregular Periods
On average, a woman should get her period every 24 to 38 days. They generally last anywhere from two days to a little over a week. But some women experience irregular periods, meaning:
- The time between your periods changes from your usual pattern
- You bleed a lot more or a lot less than usual
- Your period is much shorter or longer than usual
There are a couple of hormones that are responsible for regulating your periods – estrogen and progesterone. If you’re exercising a lot more than usual or are very stressed, this can impact your hormone levels.
Also, certain medications including birth control pills can have an impact.
Thyroid hormone issues could also be at play. An overactive or underactive thyroid could cause changes in your cycle.
4. Adult Acne
Acne was no fun the first time round in our teen years. When it comes back during adulthood, it’s downright depressing.
Many women experience breakouts around their period. But chronic acne is a sign of hormone problems that are ongoing. This typically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50.
It’s caused by an overproduction of sebum by the oil glands under the skin. This is caused by changes in the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the body.
Taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could help. Some patients report that their skin, hair, and nails are all better when taking this medication.
5. Low Energy
As mentioned at the outset, fatigue and a general lack of energy are common complaints among both men and women.
If you’ve ruled out other causes, such as diseases and mental health conditions, they could be signs of a hormone imbalance. If your endocrine system – the body’s system for making hormones – is not functioning correctly you may feel exhausted for no apparent reason.
If you’re experiencing this while going through menopause, hormone replacement therapy may help. Also, it’s good to get your thyroid checked out. Hypothyroidism – low thyroid – is often the cause of ongoing fatigue.
6. Itchy, Dry Skin
Many women going through menopause experience dry skin and itching.
That’s down to a lack of estrogen. Estrogen is a close cousin of collagen – the stuff that makes our skin soft and supple. Estrogen also helps your body regulate the oils in the skin that keep it naturally moisturized.
When your collagen levels get depleted, your skin gets thinner. Without sufficient oils to moisturize it, it can become dry and itchy.
You can get this anywhere, but it’s more common on the face, arms, legs, torso, and neck. Some women may also feel like their skin is crawling or get tingling and numbness.
This is another symptom that can be treated with bioidentical hormones. They can top up your body’s hormone levels, giving your body the boost it needs to take care of your skin and stop that itch!
7. Loss of Muscle Tone
There’s a well-understood link between the male hormone testosterone and muscle strength. But did you know that estrogen also plays a part in helping women to maintain healthy muscle tone?
The stem cells in the muscles have a special class of estrogen receptors. So when estrogen levels drop in menopausal women, so does muscle tone. It’s also harder to regain muscle tone if you’ve had an injury.
This is another area where hormone replacement therapy can make a difference. Many women taking bioidentical hormones report an increase in muscle tone.
Dealing With Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance
If you’re experiencing any of these signs of a hormone imbalance, it’s good to talk to your doctor.
Specialist clinics are also able to offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This is perfect for women going through menopause. You could experience increased libido, better sleep, clearer skin, and more energy.
If you’ve enjoyed these insights into the world of hormones, we’ve got plenty more for you! Check out our Healthy Living section today!
