The Top 5 Signs of Hormone Imbalance

Hormones travel through the body to direct the behavior of the individual systems they regulate. The signals sent by the hormones enable proper growth and physical maturity, healthy reproductive systems, an appropriate sleep-wake cycle, and more. Hormonal imbalances mean the body receives the signals incorrectly, or not at all, and can result in health concerns that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Laboratory testing helps diagnose an imbalance, but outward signs enable people to know when they need help. Here are five health issues that could indicate a hormonal imbalance.

#1. Mood Swings

Women's healthcare often focuses on hormonal imbalances because of the shifting levels of hormones in the body from pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and menopause. Men, however, can also experience hormonal imbalances and have many similar symptoms.

Mood swings from an imbalance can occur with any gender. The changes can include irritability, depression, anxiety, and brain fog. In addition, mood swings can happen when people become overtired, experience stress, or during the menstrual cycle. Find help for changes that last longer than the trigger initially believed to cause the mood swing. Talk to a professional if any mood changes become severe enough to affect daily routines.

#2. Unexplained Weight Changes

It is not unusual for weight to fluctuate a few pounds, but it can signal a problem when the weight drops quickly and is more than a few pounds without any changes in exercise and dietary habits. Women often experience the changes as weight gain and men as weight loss, but not always.

Men with elevated levels of estrogen may unexpectedly gain weight. Weight gain can also happen when men have too-high testosterone levels, but this often occurs because of an increase in appetite from the testosterone that leads to consuming more calories. An overactive thyroid can cause weight loss in men and women. Women typically gain weight because they frequently experience estrogen imbalances or an underactive thyroid.

#3. Interrupted Sleep Patterns 

A drop in estrogen can prevent women from getting the amount of sleep they need or from getting good-quality sleep that makes them feel fully rested. If the estrogen fluctuation triggers hot flashes, the sleep quality will suffer more. Men can also experience sleep disorders when their hormone levels become imbalanced. Lengthy periods of insomnia can result in extreme fatigue and many other health problems. Excessive fatigue may even worsen the hormonal imbalance.

#4. Headaches

Many people with hormonal concerns experience regular headaches. The symptom may seem difficult to use as a diagnostic tool for hormonal imbalances because they can occur when people are tired, under stress, or for many other reasons. A sign of frequent headaches relating to hormonal issues is if it happens cyclically. Headaches may occur more often or become more severe, for example, in conjunction with a menstrual cycle.

#5. Skin Issues 

A range of skin issues is another frequent problem people experience during a hormonal imbalance. Imbalances of thyroid hormones or estrogen and progesterone can cause these concerns. People may experience uncomfortable, dry, and itchy skin. They may also develop rashes without any known cause that do not go away with at-home treatments. Rashes and consistently itchy skin could mean an underactive thyroid is to blame. An underactive thyroid gland will not signal the body to produce the level of natural oils the skin needs for good health and protection.

Acne can also become a concern for many adults who thought they had outgrown the blemishes. Hormonal fluctuations lead to an overproduction of sebum that causes repeated breakouts. The acne flares can develop across the face, chest, or back.

The initial symptoms of a hormonal imbalance are uncomfortable enough to justify seeking medical treatment. However, the potential long-term damage makes it vital for people to correct their imbalances. Many possible complications can arise. Some possibilities include osteoporosis, an increased risk of pregnancy complications or birth defects, and the development of certain types of cancers. Seniors may require more intensive treatments to rebalance their hormonal levels, but many others receive the help they need with dietary changes, fitness training, and other natural options.