It is often easy to take our bodies for granted when we are well and feeling great. However, one minor discomfort, and we desperately crave the good old days when we were in perfect health. The same can be said for our hormones.
While their work is subtle and often goes unnoticed, a small dip or a slight excess in the body results in significant discomfort. Unfortunately, most women tend to miss all the signs because the symptoms can sometimes be confused with other medical conditions. This is why you must know how to identify the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and get the necessary help that you need.
Stubborn Weight Gain
The weight gain will mainly settle around the belly/abdomen resulting in fat around the waistline and hips. When this happens, it is almost as if there’s no amount of calorie counting or treadmill walking that will help you get rid of those extra pounds.
So, if you have been working out frequently, have an active lifestyle and avoid sugars and carbs, then this might be a symptom of hormonal imbalance.
Mood Swings
We are all susceptible to mood swings, particularly when we are dealing with many issues and stress. However, if you keep experiencing sudden mood swings without any apparent reason for it, chances are your hormones are all over the place.
Consistent Fatigue and Lack of Energy
If the coffee that usually wakes you up and provides that extra energy suddenly stops having that effect or you are consistently lacking in energy, fatigued, and struggling through the day where you never used to in the past, it’s time to check your hormone levels.
A hormone imbalance is a leading cause of these symptoms. A simple test in a hormone replacement clinic or one carried out by your doctor should confirm this.
Dry Hair and Skin
Well, this is in debate given that with age, the skin tends to lose some of its moisture retaining ability, and the hair tends to weaken.
However, if it is worse than usual, and your moisturizing lotions, skin care regimens, or hair grooming do not seem to be as effective as they once were, you should talk to your doctor. Some women panic when they find that their hair is not as lustrous as it once was and believe they are about to suffer a bout of Propecia.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Often associated with menopause or pre-menopause, this is an indicator of hormonal imbalance. If you are in your late 30’s to late 40’s and are experiencing these more frequently, it is usually because your hormonal levels are low.
Low Libido and Vaginal Dryness
If you are experiencing either or both of these, and there’s no reason for that, you can be sure that your hormone’s levels are dropping. You will often be able to fix this by having a hormone replacement therapy done.
Depression
There are many reasons to be depressed. It could be situational, chemical (in this case, your hormones), genetic (think seasonal affective disorder), or the side effects of drugs among other things. The point is if it is hormone related, it can be fixed. You do not have to suffer through bouts of depression and anxiety, particularly when some or all of the above-mentioned symptoms are present too.
You do not have to deal with this alone. If you visit a doctor and there’s nothing wrong, have them check you for hormonal imbalance. If it is confirmed, just sign up for a hormone replacement therapy, and you’ll soon start feeling better.