Symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Many women also experience increased anxiety, depression, less sex drive, menstrual disorders and digestive problems. Above is just a sampling of hopeless and unwanted symptoms and the list could be made longer. But what exactly is hormonal imbalance and why are we affected?
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the body's various glands, for example the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland and our adrenal glands. There are several different hormones in the body, all of which have specific functions and affect tissues or organs while they interact with each other to regulate the body's biochemical processes. Simply put, hormones act as messages sent between parts of the body to regulate processes, such as your metabolism, growth and reproduction.
What happens in the body in case of hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance means that you get a disturbance in the normal production, regulation or function of hormones, which leads to processes in the body being affected. The reason for this can be due to several factors, such as your age, genetics, diseases, and external influences such as life factors, diet, sleep, stress, exercise, environment and surroundings. Hormonal imbalance can affect different parts of the body and can lead to a range of different symptoms and health problems.
Can I influence hormonal imbalance?
Since hormonal imbalance is in many cases due to external factors, you may be able to influence your mood by making certain lifestyle changes. Of course, you should consult a doctor to seek suitable treatment for you, but here we discuss some measures that may help:
- Healthier diet: Eat a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients and includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. Avoid excessive intake of sugar, processed foods and saturated fats.
- Increased physical activity: Exercise can help balance hormone levels and reduce stress, especially when we live in a society characterized by increased pressure and less physical effort. Try to strive to train regularly based on your own conditions.
- Minimize stress: In the event of stress, your body is affected and several hormonal processes are activated. Managing the stress level is therefore an important factor when it comes to influencing hormonal imbalance. Long-term stress affects several different hormones in the body, but above all cortisol, also called the stress hormone. Cortisol, in turn, affects other hormones in concert, which can cause an imbalance, which can disrupt the body's function.
- Regular sleep: Sleep has a big impact on your overall health and plays an important role in hormone regulation. By sleeping regularly and long enough each night, you create the conditions for your body to be able to regulate hormones effectively. With regular and good sleep, among other things, the body's cortisol level is affected, which decreases and becomes more even. With lack of sleep and poor sleep, estrogen- and progesterone balance are regulated, which are important hormones for your reproduction.
- Avoid chemicals: Try as much as possible to reduce your body's exposure to endocrine disruptors. Examples of such substances are Bisphenol A (BPA), which occurs in plastic products and food packaging. BPA mimics the estrogen in your body and can thus affect hormone balance. Phthalates are another chemical that can disrupt hormone balance, especially sex hormones. Phthalates occur, among other things, in soft and flexible plastic products.
Consult a doctor
Although you can influence your hormonal imbalance on your own, you should contact a doctor if you experience symptoms. A doctor can conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the imbalance and then recommend appropriate treatment or hormone replacement therapy if necessary. If you are interested, you will of course find several different hormone tests and health checks with us that you can order to gain more insight into your hormonal values.
