Feeling the symptoms that come along with hormonal imbalance can be excruciating. Oftentimes we can mistake hormonal imbalance with other symptoms instead of getting to the root cause of the issue which in turn just makes matters worse. But are your lifestyle habits triggering hormonal imbalance? Knowing and avoiding these triggers is essential so you and your hormones can live in harmony.
Your hormones affect everything in your body from your mental health to your physical health. While some people see hormonal imbalance as something that happens during menopause, these symptoms can come about at any age. Your hormones act as a message system by traveling through the bloodstream, tissues or organs and tell your body what to do. Having too much or too little of a specific hormone can have negative side effects on whatever that hormone regulates. Scientists have identified over 50 hormones in the human body so this can leave a lot of things to wrong! Women around their menstrual cycle are the most likely to identify a shift in hormones. However, no one is safe from experiencing these symptoms, here are some signs to look out for, oftentimes they will come about suddenly:
Mood swings
Weight gain or weight loss
Low libido
ED (erectile dysfunction)
Increased or loss of appetite
Hot flashes
Acne or skin issues
Brain fog
Joint issues
Sleep problems
Throughout life our hormone levels naturally fluctuate however your lifestyle choices can also play a factor in the regulation of your hormone levels. Here are some key triggers that are most likely throwing your hormones for a loop:
Healthy habits lead to healthy hormones, and we aren't just talking about what foods you put in your body a HUGE trigger that can cause a hormonal imbalance is STRESS! Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life but when you live a life where you're constantly stressed it can start to throw off your cortisol levels drastically. There is no getting around that the fact that you will have periods in your life where it's stressful but the key is that you make sure it's short-lived. Those that work in highly stressful environments or have a highly stressful home life are at a great risk to live in constant imbalance. It's important to talk to a hormone specialist who can help you manage your hormones. Ultimately, until you eliminate what's causing your chronic stress levels, a vicious cycle can start.
What you eat affects more than how your body looks. When you hit the drive-thru one to many times or consume high amounts low-nutrient carbohydrates, such as processed foods, sugary beverages & artificial sweeteners your body has to work hard to produce extra insulin in an attempt to keep blood sugar levels balanced. We all know a poor diet can lead to weight gain, but did you know storing those extra pounds can raise your estrogen levels and put you at risk for low libido, a sluggish metabolism, memory loss, depleted muscle mass, and depression?
Getting a good night's rest is vital to keep your hormones happy. When you sleep, your body is restoring and regenerating itself and your hormones. In fact, without proper rest you put yourself at risk of hormone imbalance and the symptoms that come along with it. Melatonin is commonly known as the sleep hormone. This hormone is produced by your pineal gland, and it helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Electronic devices before bed can disrupt your circadian rhythm and delay melatonin production. In turn, hormonal changes can wreak havoc on sleep cycles causing a vicious cycle.
If you choose to live a less than active lifestyle you could be putting yourself at risk to hormonal imbalance. Getting just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help increase endorphins and boost your overall mood. If you don't consider yourself someone who likes to go to the gym start by trying activities that get you moving like taking a nightly stroll or trying a gentle yoga class.
While these triggers play a huge role in the balance of your hormones, you may inevitably be met with hormonal imbalance as you age. Hormone specialists are highly trained in the endocrine system and can help you identify which hormones need balancing and provide relief with bio-identical hormone optimization.
125 North Orlando Ave. Suite 115 Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 606-6746
1155 Nikki View Dr. Brandon, FL 33511 (813) 681-8624
10116 Montague St, Suite 8 Westchase, FL 33626 (813) 749-7550
220 North Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606 (813) 254-6141
1821 Bruce B Downs Blvd Suite 114 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 558-9500
Comments