Medically Reviewed by Lucas Rosa, PhD in Biology
Discover how hormonal imbalance can significantly affect quality of life.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the body that regulate various bodily processes, including energy regulation, metabolism, mood, cognition, and reproduction.
Hormonal imbalances occur when a hormone is out of its healthy range. They can arise when its levels are higher or lower than the healthy range.
For a hormone to get imbalanced, the body has either produced too much or too little of a hormone, or an external force is disrupting a hormone that is being produced. Hormones are part of a delicate and complex system within our bodies, so if one is imbalanced, it can lead to many more getting imbalanced.
When they’re in harmony, we experience vitality, mental clarity, and overall well-being, but the slightest disruption can break this harmony and significantly affect our quality of life.
Common Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
Various factors are linked to hormonal imbalances in the body, including:
- Chronic Stress: If your body remains under constant stress for a prolonged period of time, it overwhelms the adrenal glands and leads to a consistent rise in cortisol levels.
- Poor Diet: Excess sugar, processed foods, and low nutrient intake can upset hormone levels.
- Physical Inactivity: Not being physically active can lead to numerous imbalances such as insulin resistance and an imbalance in thyroid hormones.
- Poor Sleep: Sleep is crucial for hormone production and consistently having poor sleep can lead to imbalances in sex hormones, melatonin, and growth hormone.
- Endocrine Disruptors: These are chemicals that can interfere with our body’s hormonal system. They can mimic, block, or alter the natural hormones that are in our bodies.
- Aging: As the body ages, hormone production gradually declines, particularly sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
- Medical Conditions: Hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diabetes can significantly disrupt hormonal balance.
Hormones are incredibly powerful, and small changes in their levels can cause widespread disruptions throughout the body.
How Hormonal Imbalance Affects Your Body
When hormones are out of balance, they can be seen through physical, emotional, and mental issues.
Physical Issues
- Fluctuations in Body Weight: Disruptions in insulin or thyroid hormone levels can cause sudden, unexplained weight gain or loss.
- Fatigue: Low thyroid hormones or adrenal dysfunction can sap your energy, leaving you constantly tired.
- Skin Problems: Acne, dryness, or excessive oiliness are often linked to imbalances in sex hormones or cortisol.
- Digestive Issues: Hormonal imbalances can affect gut health, leading to bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone can cause skipped or heavy periods, affecting fertility.
- Low Libido: A drop in testosterone or other sex hormones may reduce sexual desire or satisfaction.
Emotional and Mental Issues
- Mood Swings: Hormonal imbalances can cause abrupt changes in mood, irritability, or feelings of anxiety.
- Depression: Low levels of estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid hormones are linked to feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Brain Fog: Imbalances in hormones like cortisol and insulin can lead to trouble focusing, mental fatigue, and memory lapses.
Ways To Help Prevent Hormonal Imbalances
Fortunately, there are lifestyle choices that help to prevent and manage hormonal imbalances, reducing their impact:
- Incorporate healthy fats (such as seeds, avocado, and nuts), protein, and fiber into your diet.
- Avoid processed food and refined sugars.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Stay hydrated.
- Participate in regular physical activity.
- Create a bedtime routine that includes relaxing activities.
- Prioritize at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Incorporate stress management techniques.
- Avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals.
If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare provider. Blood tests and hormone panels can identify specific imbalances.
Conclusion
Hormonal imbalances happen when a hormone is out of its healthy range. These imbalances can affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally, but by identifying the causes and understanding their impact, you can take charge of your health.
A healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, avoiding endocrine disruptors, and getting good sleep can help greatly in restoring hormonal balance and overall vitality.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. “Hormonal Imbalance: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22673-hormonal-imbalance.
Herndon, Jaime. “Hormone Imbalance and the Menstrual Cycle: Causes and Treatments.” Healthline, 10 Aug. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/hormonal-imbalance-menstrual-cycle.
Miller, Kelli, and Amy Gopal. “Endocrine Disorders.” WebMD, WebMD, 9 Jan. 2021, www.webmd.com/diabetes/endocrine-system-disorders.
Roop, J. “Hormone Imbalance -A Cause for Concern in Women.” Research Journal of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, 2018, www.rjlbpcs.com/article-pdf-downloads/2018/18/221.pdf, https://doi.org/10.26479/2018.0402.18.
