It takes small amounts of hormones to bring about significant body changes. Hormonal imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a certain hormone in your body. If this condition goes untreated, there may be serious medical repercussions like diabetes and uterine endometrial and breast cancer (caused by excess estrogen). If hormonal imbalance takes place in pituitary glands, there is the possibility of growth disorders that may need growth hormone treatment.
Hormonal Imbalance Causes and Symptoms
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel via the body’s bloodstream to tissues and organs. Special cell groups known as endocrine glands make up hormones. The main endocrine glands are thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas and the pituitary glands. Women and men have hormones produced in their bodies in the same areas except their sexual organs. For women, it’s in the ovaries and for men the testes. Therefore, some causes and symptoms of hormonal imbalance differ in men and women.
1. Causes
When glands that produce hormones malfunction, they usually produce excess hormones causing imbalance. In men, aging and testosterone drop are major causes of hormonal imbalance whereas in women stress, certain cosmetics, birth-control pills, menopause and environmental pollutants.
2. Symptoms
Mood swings and weight gain are common symptoms seen in women and men. Other symptoms found in women are memory loss, premature aging, hair loss, muscle and bone loss, PMS, hair loss, osteoporosis, low sexual drive etc. In men, other symptoms include low sperm-count, enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction.
Hormonal Imbalance Home Remedies
1. Adopt Balanced Diets
Having proper diets is the first and the best method to deal with hormonal imbalance.
- Veggies and Fruits. Consume different fresh vegetables and fruits on a regular basis so that the body gets a complete spectrum of minerals and vitamins.
- Organic Food. Replace foods that have chemical additives and added hormones like dairy products and commercial meat with organic foods. Organic and hormone-free options can be found in many supermarkets. Be wary of soy as it has the ability to increase the levels of estrogen.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Eat a lot of omega-3 fatty acids and avoid polyunsaturated fats as they oxidize easily and are unstable. Oxidized fats cause cell mutation and inflammation.
- Coconut Oil. It provides building blocks necessary for production of hormones. It also assists in reduction of inflammation, weight loss and has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
2. Take Supplements for Hormonal Imbalance
You can also try following herbal remedies to help balance your hormone.
- Maca. Maca nourishes and stimulates the pituitary and hypothalamus glands that regulate other glands. Therefore, when they are balanced, they also balance the other glands.
- Magnesium. It neutralizes effects that come with stress since stress is one of the causes of hormonal imbalance in women.
- Vitamin D. This vitamin is known to help relieve symptoms associated with rapid hormone level changes.
- Gelatin. Eating foods rich in gelatin corrects inflammatory and degenerative diseases; some of which are caused by hormonal imbalance.
- DHEA. This is the sex hormone’s steroidal precursor. It converts to estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Although it’s produced in the adrenal glands, you have the option of taking it in the form of a supplement.
- Black Cohosh. This is a herb that has phytoestrogen which is a natural occurring estrogen and is used in treatment of imbalanced hormones among other conditions. It also increases reproductive organs circulation and encourages contraction of the uterine walls.
- Don Quai. This is a Chinese herb that is used in treating hormonal issues in women like PMS, hot flashes brought about by menopause, irregular weaknesses etc. Don Quai also increases pelvic region blood flow.
3. Change Lifestyles
Poor lifestyle habits can greatly influence your normal hormone. Therefore, stay away from bad habits and form good one.
- Limit Caffeine Intake. Caffeine, being a stimulant causes the over production of hormones. Hence, drink less coffee or you can replace it with herbal teas.
- Stay Away from Toxins. Plastics, pesticides, household chemicals and even beddings may contain toxins that tend to interfere with intercellular signals and hormone receptors. If you intent to get pregnant, it’s vital to avoid these toxins as well as other household chemicals. Choose non-coated metal pans or grass kitchen ware, avoid storing or heating foods in plastic, and stop using chemical cleaners and pesticides.
- Get Enough Sleep. Many people suffer hormonal imbalance during the day. Therefore, sleep restores the imbalance suffered.
- Manage Stress. Anxiety and stress can result to imbalance of hormones thereby worsening any existing conditions. Massage, yoga and daily meditation are effective stress relief measures a person can take.
4. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is known to be a hormone level regulator. Exercising on a regular basis strengthens the system that controls all hormones in the body i.e. endocrine system. Other than hormone level regulation, exercise combats stress, strengthens a person’s immune system and increases energy. Half an hour of moderate and even vigorous exercise each day is recommended. It may include:
- Light Exercises. Light exercises boost the heart, increase the breathing rate, and also work the muscles. For beginners, 10-15 minutes of light exercises a day will do. Time can be increased as the body gets used to exercising. These exercises include brisk walking, roller-skating, dancing and bicycle riding.
- Heavy Lifting. Not only does it help in building bigger and stronger muscles, it also triggers reaction of beneficial body hormones.
Hormonal Imbalance Medical Treatments
1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRP)
This is a modern technique used in hormone imbalance treatment. When HRT is taking place, women are administered certain drugs to treat discomfort and symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance. Women who are menopausal are the only ones allowed to undergo this kind of therapy which enables their bodies to cope with changes in their hormone levels caused by menopause. HRP is quite costly but is also very effective. Despite the several side effects, it helps in reducing risks of getting osteoporosis and heart diseases in women in their latter years. HRP also has equally effective results in men.
2. Topical Gel and Patches
They are used for cortisol, estrogen, women testosterone and progesterone. Topical gels are also applied to the inner arms, inner thighs, or the stomach using a syringe (pre-measured) and are directly absorbed into the blood stream via the skin. Patches such as bioidentical hormone gels and creams also allow direct absorption. Thyroid hormones also come in pill form and are administered as treatment for hormone replacement.
3. Pellet Therapy
This is treatment used to balance hormones by allowing body chemistry balance thus restores vitality and health in women who suffer from hormonal imbalance symptoms.