Hormones are an essential component of our overall health. They are chemical compounds that travel throughout the body, telling our organs what to do and when to do it. All 50 hormones found in the human body, plus the glands/tissues that produce and release them, are known collectively as the endocrine system. This system is responsible for some of our most vital bodily functions, such as sleep, digestion, and sexual function.
When we notice disruptions in these processes, there is a very high chance that you are experiencing a hormonal imbalance, meaning you may have too much or too little of one or more hormones. Given the severity of your condition, some hormone imbalances may require medical treatment, whereas some may be able to fix an imbalance with certain lifestyle choices.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Since there are many hormones involved in many bodily processes, symptoms can be varied and numbered. Here are some common symptoms that are typically associated with some form of hormonal imbalance:
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Heavy periods
- Irregular periods
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Depression and/or anxiety
These are just a handful of symptoms, most closely related to issues regarding reproductive health and digestion. To learn more about your hormones, speak to your doctor about hormone testing and whether there are any symptoms you should look out for based on your medical history.
Treating Hormonal Balances
Some of the most common hormone-related conditions include PCOS (and infertility), diabetes, obesity, and hypo/hyperthyroidism. These imbalances typically involve medications that can manage your symptoms and/or help better regulate the production/secretion of the hormones linked to the condition. For others, symptoms of hormonal imbalances may not impede your life, but can certainly lower the quality of your life. If this is your case, lifestyle changes may be your answer. Here are some examples:
Getting More Sleep
During sleep, our body performs maintenance across our systems, one of such being the production of several hormones involved in digestion and reproduction. When we chronically skip essential sleeping hours or sleep late, we throw off this production, creating imbalances that can affect mood, energy, and reproductive health. Science shows that 7-8 hours of sleep, between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am, are the ideal parameters for optimal health.
Eating Healthy Fats
It’s important for your overall diet to be balanced, and a balanced diet includes healthy fats. Healthy fats can be found in avocados, nuts, fish, olive oil, dark chocolate, eggs and more. The body uses these fats to build our hormone molecules. Without them, your body may have difficulty building the hormones it needs.
Exercise
Regular, moderate exercise has been found to stimulate the endocrine system and help hormones work more effectively. Exercise has also been shown to produce endocannabinoids, biochemicals that can help balance cortisol, which is known as the “stress-hormone.”
Understanding Your Body
While everybody is different, the importance of hormonal regulation cannot be understated. By understanding their role and taking proactive steps to balance them through healthy sleeping habits, nutrition, and exercise, you may be able to enhance the overall quality of your life. We understand that achieving hormonal harmony can be difficult, and therefore our providers are here to help you on this journey. If you would like to learn more about your hormonal health or are worried that you may be experiencing a more severe imbalance, contact us today.
