You can check your hormone levels at home using convenient kits that require a simple saliva, urine (dried), or finger-prick blood sample, which you mail to a lab for analysis, often getting results online with professional interpretation available for key reproductive, thyroid, or stress hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol. Popular brands like Everlywell, Modern Fertility, LetsGetChecked, and Proov offer these tests, helping identify imbalances linked to fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, and fertility issues, though a doctor's input remains crucial for diagnosis.
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
Hormonal changes before and during your period can cause irritability, depression, anxiety, and more, or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). If you experience wild mood swings or your symptoms don't seem to coincide with your menstrual cycle, it may be a sign that your hormones are out of sync.
As estrogen decreases and the amount of collagen in your skin changes, your skin may become thinner. As a result, slight injuries may be more likely to cause bruising as you age. You may notice more cuts, bruises and other marks on your skin. It may also take longer for these wounds to heal.
Vitamin K is found in many foods, and also made by bacteria in your gut. Not having enough vitamin K in your body can make you bruise or bleed more easily. A blood test can check for vitamin K deficiency. If you don't have enough vitamin K, your doctor will prescribe a vitamin K supplement.
During times of high estrogen, such as pregnancy or certain phases of menstrual cycles, skin can look vibrant but may also be prone to acne. Conversely, lower estrogen levels—common during menopause or due to certain medical treatments—can result in dryness, thinning, and loss of elasticity.
Common medical treatments for hormonal imbalances include:
Common endocrine disorders include diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism (overproduction of the thyroid hormone), Hashimoto's thyroiditis or hypothyroidism (underproduction of the thyroid hormone), Cushing's syndrome (high cortisol or stress hormones over an extended period of time), acromegaly ( ...
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.
Listen to your body — it's trying to tell you something
“The most common lifestyle factors that can disrupt your hormones are chronic stress, poor diet, inadequate sleep and either too little or too much exercise,” explains Dr. Carlo. High alcohol or caffeine intake and exposure to chemicals in plastics or personal care products can also affect hormone balance.
“A lot of conditions go hand-in-hand with menstrual irregularities, from thyroid disease to brain tumors,” Dr. Misra says. “If you're having ongoing issues with your menstrual cycle, it's always a reason to talk to your doctor about testing your hormones.”
What can I drink to balance my hormones? Herbal teas such as spearmint, chamomile, or green tea can help support hormone regulation and reduce stress.
A blood test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels. This test can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. You should order a test that's specific to your gender, as a women's hormone test will look for different levels of sex hormones than a men's test.
The best supplements for hormone balance include:
Cushing's syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time. Cortisol is sometimes called the “stress hormone” because it helps your body respond to stress. Cortisol also helps. maintain blood pressure. regulate blood glucose, also called blood sugar.
Relieve stress.
Decreasing the amount of stress hormones your body produces can help keep your estrogen and progesterone levels balanced. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with very little processed sugar can make it easier for your liver to process estrogen.
Research suggests that coconut oil supports the immune system, gut health, and adrenal function, all of which play key roles in hormone health. It also has been found to have a preventive effect, particularly for pre-menopausal women, in maintaining hormonal balance.
In The 14-Day Hormone Reset, wellness expert Mark Arnold unveils 22 little-known, science-backed secrets to cool down your body, balance your hormones, and finally sleep through the night again. This isn't just another hormone book, it's a practical, empowering guide designed to help you feel like you again.
The best approach is to eat a variety of fruits. Berries (like strawberries and blueberries) are excellent for their antioxidants, and avocados are great for their healthy fats which are building blocks for hormones.
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. An endocrinologist can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment plans and prescribe medication. Many common endocrine conditions are lifelong (chronic). So, you may see an endocrinologist throughout your life.
Signs of Low-Estrogen Skin:
Sagging with visible loss of elasticity. More prone to damage from UV radiation and pollution. Uneven tone with increased pigmentation. Hollowing in the cheeks and temples.
Oestrogen, for example, also has a positive effect on how visually attractive a woman is, as studies show: high oestrogen levels make a woman's face and body attractive to men.
A recent study of body shape and hormone levels by Jasieńska et al. (2004) reported that women with the body shape that is found most attractive by males (large breasts and a low waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), e.g. Singh 1993; Henss 2000) have higher oestrogen levels than other categories of body shape.