What Causes Hormonal Imbalance? An imbalance in hormones can be caused by unusually high stress, insufficient sleep, an unhealthy diet, diabetes, menopause, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and other conditions.
It's true that hormone imbalances can be associated with many problems, such as period problems, unwanted hair growth, fertility struggles, weight gain, and even difficulty sleeping. You should absolutely talk to your doctor about these things.
The five most important hormonal imbalances are diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, and hypogonadism.
Some common signs of off-balance hormones include acne or bad breakouts, dry skin and skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. Thinning hair or an increased amount of facial hair are also signs that something could be out of whack hormonally, says Raupp.
How Long Does It Take to Balance Hormones? As you can imagine, this varies. However, research shows that by taking a holistic, well-rounded approach, you can balance your hormones in less than four months.
Perimenopause Phase Two (45- 55 years old)
When hormones are in balance during this stage, the body will manufacture slightly less, though still a balanced amount, of estrogen and progesterone and testosterone.
Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.
Your visit to the OBGYN:
Get the test taken during the first few days of your cycle (when you have your period), if possible. Ask your OBGYN for a hormone panel test that includes estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH (follicle stimulating hormone and lutenizing hormone).
Why are Strawberries a Beneficial Food for Hormonal Imbalance? Strawberries not only contain high levels of phytoestrogens, which can assist in hormonal balance, but they're also chock-full of vitamin C which helps boost the immune system and stabilize hormones.
Eating enough protein causes the creation of peptide hormones, some of which decrease hunger and make you feel full. Other ways to reset hormones include regular exercise, reducing sugar consumption, minimising stress, and getting enough sleep.
Too much or too little of a certain hormone can throw off your body's balance and have a series of strange effects, including weight gain, depression, anxiety, infertility, thinning hair, or even acne. Thankfully, hormonal imbalance can be treatable.
Stress can lead to changes in the serum level of many hormones including glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone and prolactin. Some of these changes are necessary for the fight or flight response to protect oneself.
In general, blood samples are best taken in the 'first half' of the cycle (the follicular phase) when normal and abnormal hormone levels are more clearly separated. However, progesterone may be deliberately measured on day 21 in the middle of the 'second half' (luteal phase) to see if ovulation has occurred.
Magnesium is Essential to Balancing Hormones
Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals to help balance hormones. While you can take a supplement, and even spray your skin with magnesium spray, there's no better way of getting the magnesium you need than from the foods you eat.
If your doctor suspects that you might have high estrogen, they'll likely order a blood test to check your hormone levels. A trained professional will collect a sample of your blood to be tested in a laboratory. The results will indicate if your estrogen levels are too low or too high.
Blood tests can be used to detect an imbalance of hormones in the bloodstream. Blood tests are commonly used to test the levels of thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol hormones. Urine tests, saliva tests, and imaging tests may also be used to diagnose endocrine disorders.
D2 and K2 are a powerful duo when taken as a supplement. Each of these vitamins is involved with balancing hormones, particularly those associated with weight management, and are viewed as safe vitamin supplements for people to take to support metabolic processes.
A number of hormone-related conditions can cause abdominal weight gain including an underactive thyroid or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For those going through menopause—which is not a medical condition, but a natural state of endocrine reorganization that happens to every woman—weight gain can be a symptom.
Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body.