Hormonal imbalance may lead to irritability, heart palpitations, blood sugar swings, rapid changes in mood, fatigue, and many other health issues. This condition can be debilitating. Some hormonal changes are normal like sex hormonal fluctuations during periods or the shifts that develop during pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels during menopause are also normal. In other cases, hormonal imbalance may be caused by medical conditions and medications.
Keep on reading to discover seven signs and symptoms you might have a hormonal imbalance.
1. Fatigue
Fatigue is a physical state of constants tiredness and lack of energy. It can develop due to various potential causes. Lack of progesterone can cause sleeping difficulty and excess progesterone can lead to feelings of weakness and tiredness. Another hormonal imbalance that can lead to fatigue is low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). This disorder can be easily identified with a blood test. To treat hormonal imbalance, consult with a specialist who will prescribe medication to help return your hormone levels to normal.
2. Sleep apnea
Menopause lowers your estrogen levels and increases the risk of experiencing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a severe breathing disorder that is characterized by complete or partial cessation of breathing during sleep. OSA occurs due to relaxed throat muscles blocking the airway. This type of sleep apnea also leads to symptoms like snoring. If you feel tired and unrefreshed in the morning, consult a wellness practitioner to undergo hormonal imbalance tests.
3. Infertility
Hormone imbalance can lead to infertility in women. Changes in the production of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and other hormones may cause problems with getting pregnant. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that impacts about 10% of women of reproductive age. It can trigger irregular menstruation, like late or abnormal periods, or even amenorrhea. PCOS can also make you prone to infertility. Consider visiting a specialist to restore your ovulation with hormone therapy.
4. Aging skin
Lack of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause is linked to skin aging. Your skin gets thinner and wrinkled and less elastic due to aging and loss of collagen. Changes in the production of estrogen can contribute to symptoms of skin aging. Hormone therapy is a great option to prevent or postpone the process of skin aging.
5. Thinning Bones
Estrogen stimulates bone growth and is necessary for healthy and strong bones. Postmenopause can cause low estrogen. This can lead to bone deterioration and a higher risk of osteoporosis. About 50% of women over the age of 50 are prone to suffer from fractured bones due to osteoporosis. Estrogen therapy can help women in postmenopause recover volume and density in their bones. Consult a specialist if you’re worried about symptoms of postmenopause and associated bone deterioration.
6. Weight gain
A decreased production of estrogen in postmenopausal women may lead to weight gain around the stomach and arms. These are the main symptoms of central obesity. Central obesity is a dangerous condition that may increase your risk of heart disease. Hormone replacement therapy is proven to reduce the risk of central obesity and can help improve the mineral density in bones. Consult a specialist, if you’ve suddenly started to gain more weight in your upper body.
7. Mental health problems
Estrogen is a neuroprotectant that stimulates brain functions like memory. It also positively impacts the brain’s chemical messengers, cognition, and the ability to work well under pressure. Low levels of estrogen are linked to a higher risk of psychosis. Due to falling estrogen, women at menopausal age are at increased risk of schizophrenia. Selective estrogen receptor modulators can help enhance cognition and reduce symptoms in women who experience psychiatric disorders. They can also help make manic episodes in women who suffer from bipolar disorder less frequent.