Are you losing some beautiful locks? Dihydrotestosterone volumes — the hormone responsible for hair health — can benefit from some adjustments. If your toenails break easily, you may need to pump in more estrogen through therapy.
Hormones regulate several body functions from head to toe. They may fluctuate, inciting minor to severe health conditions that affect your quality of life.
Here are the different signs of hormone imbalance and what you can do to remedy them.
1. Irregular menstrual cycles
While missed periods and heavy bleeding can be due to numerous factors, hormonal imbalance is often the main culprit for such concerns.
Two hormones regulate menstrual cycles: estrogen and progesterone. They rise and fall during different life transitions, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It can take up to two years after your first menstrual period for them and your periods to stabilise.
Irregular menstruation can be normal for some people. During cycles, it can take time for the hormones to slip back into their natural rhythm.
Documenting your periods, along with your observations, can help determine when menstrual patterns have changed. If they become problematic, visit your doctor for a thorough check-up. They can diagnose non-hormonal factors that may contribute to period concerns.
2. Unexplained weight gain or loss
Various hormones work together to maintain proper metabolism. Some main characters ruling your appetite, hunger and digestion are insulin, estrogen, ghrelin and cortisol.
The pancreas produces insulin, which stores your body’s sugar. You may gain weight if this organ in your abdomen doesn’t make enough insulin. Resistance has been linked to obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Improving your lifestyle has a positive impact on metabolic regulators. Exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and decrease resistance. Outdoor physical activities, like gardening, games and training in local playgrounds, can help you prevent specific heart problems that might lead to mortality.
By getting your daily dose of movement therapy, you can sidestep diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
3. Persistent acne
Zits and pimples are telltale signs of hormone imbalance. They affect both men and women and are prevalent in people between 20 and 50.
Hormones go haywire during menstruation and pregnancy, triggering the skin to overproduce sebum that clogs the pores. Men undergoing testosterone treatment may also experience breakouts due to disturbances in substance regulators.
A skin doctor can diagnose hormonal acne. Treatment options vary from topical cream for minor issues to steroid injection for cystic cases.
4. Chronic fatigue
Hormonal problems are partly to blame for the abnormal and long-term decline in your energy levels.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition affecting 0.9 per cent of the worldwide population. Due to its broad disease symptoms and varying severity, health experts haven’t found its exact cause yet nor established a standard diagnosis. People with CFS may experience disturbed sleep, concentration problems and debilitating fatigue.
Scientists found hormonal imbalance in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis directly associated with these symptoms. For instance, alteration in the cortisol levels produced by the adrenal glands can prompt inflammation and memory issues. Insufficient levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the morning have also been observed in people with CFS.
Set an appointment with your doctor to determine the best course of action. Since combined factors and symptoms can cause chronic fatigue, an individualised diagnosis and treatment is the most effective approach to the problem.
5. Digestive issues
Estrogen and progesterone anomalies may affect gut health in both genders. Women are six times more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than men because these two are their major sex hormones.
Progesterone slows digestion, often resulting in gas, bloating and constipation during menstrual periods when its levels peak. Estrogen does the opposite, so you may experience looser stools during your cycles with its high volumes.
Exercise can help enhance bowel movement and minimise digestive issues. Eating fermented foods, like kimchi and kombucha, can support the growth of good bacteria in the gut and maintain the balance of functions.
6. Fertility problems
Problems with conception are one of the signs of hormone imbalance. Men need sufficient testosterone to maintain healthy and adequate sperm production. Meanwhile, women must have stable estrogen for successful ovulation.
About 8 – 13 per cent of women of reproductive age with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) experience pregnancy problems because their estrogen falls below the normal range. At the same time, their androgen — a dominant male hormone — is high.
Ask for your doctor’s advice if you’re trying to get pregnant with PCOS or any hormone irregularities.
7. Hair loss or thinning
Dihydrotestosterone is produced from testosterone and plays a role in hair growth. Level instability can lead to female pattern hair loss and frontal baldness for men.
Women may lose more strands near the temples and the centre of their scalp. Men may notice balding on the crown of the head and a receding hairline.
The most common remedy for hair loss is finasteride, a drug that interferes with testosterone and DHT. Taking it may elicit some sexual side effects. Other methods to delay hair loss include minoxidil, ketoconazole and laser therapy.
Again, speak to a hormone specialist to find out which treatment may be suitable for you.
Address the signs of hormone imbalance
While hormonal fluctuations are normal, they carry some risks ranging from minor to severe concerns.
It’s best to stay informed about the consequences of your health by consulting your doctor. They can diagnose the root cause of the hormone abnormality and create effective treatment plans to mitigate the impact of this process on your quality of life.
