Hormones are critical players in the body chemistry. They transfer messages across cells and organs; Hormones affect everything, growth, sexual functions, mood, and sleep. Hormones also affect how we manage stress and even how we break down food.
Hormones are regulated by the endocrine system, a collection of glands that produce specific hormones. When too much or too little hormones are released, hormonal imbalance occurs, leading to serious effects.
There are many signs that you may have hormonal imbalance, such as:
- Fatigue and exhaustion: Chronic stress results in high cortisol levels, which then cause you to feel tired and exhausted.
- Low libido: low libido can have underlying hormonal causes. In some cases, estrogen dominance or low estrogen may be the cause, but your thyroid health and cortisol levels can also play a role. Adding stress, and insomnia (poor sleep) and sex is the last thing on your mind.
- Cravings: sometimes your hormones might be to blame. High cortisol or insulin, for can cause intense urges for sugary treats while adrenal disturbances can make you crave salty snacks.
- Lack of sleep: Low levels of some hormones such as progesterone can cause insomnia while insomnia by itself can affect your body’s hormonal balance.
- Persistent weight gain: on occasion, there is an underlying hormonal imbalance that makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. For instance, unaddressed insulin resistance is one of the most common causes; in addition to medical treatment, small changes in diet, such as controlling the intake of processed foods, sugars, and wheat are steps on the right track.
- Delayed Pregnancy: hormonal imbalance can cause delayed pregnancy, hormones will be one of the first causes to be investigated by the doctors, however with the evolving technologies and medical solutions, many causes of infertility can be treated.
Of course, many of these symptoms can be linked to other physical problems, it is recommended always to consult the doctor for all health conditions.