You may have heard the claim that hormones are behind everything. That they are responsible for weight gain, mood swings, and cravings. At Femvia, we often talk about hormones because we know how important a role they play in the lives of (not only) women. That's why we're bringing you a mini series of articles on hormonal health, in which you'll find out how hormones affect the body, why they may be behind some of your problems, and what to do to finally have your hormones on your side, not against you!
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemicals produced by endocrine glands. These glands include the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries in women, and testicles in men. They are classified by their chemical structure or by the glands they come from. Their functions vary based on their origin. Hormones travel throughout your body in your bloodstream, affecting everything from metabolism and digestion to your menstrual cycle and energy levels.
Hormonal (im)balance
Hormones complement and balance each other in the body. When a hormone is produced in too little or too much, it is called a hormonal imbalance. Even small changes in production can have a significant impact on the entire body.
Changing hormone levels throughout life
Hormone changes do not always necessarily signal that something is wrong. Their levels naturally change at certain stages of life, especially during the reproductive years. The first visible changes come during adolescence . Boys' voices change, girls begin to experience menstruation. At this time, the body is still learning to work with new sexual functions, so it takes time and patience for hormones to finally stabilize.
As women age, their reproductive system undergoes changes. Around the age of 40, a woman experiences a condition called menopause (in men, it is called andropause), which is often accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms.
During the reproductive period, a woman can expect one or more moments of natural hormonal imbalance, namely pregnancy and breastfeeding . As soon as the egg is fertilized by sperm, the woman's body begins to change. The hormones of the menstrual cycle shift their attention to the proper development of the fetus and the smooth course of pregnancy. Women who have already been pregnant will certainly remember a thick mane for several months, before after giving birth it was replaced by hair everywhere else, except on the head. Similarly, hormonal changes also affect the condition of the skin, taste buds or changes in metabolism.
6 signs of hormonal imbalance
Hormones play an essential role in overall health. Because there are so many hormones in the body and each one does something a little different, the symptoms of an imbalance will vary depending on which hormone or endocrine gland is not functioning properly. Feeling out of sorts and unable to identify what’s causing your problems? You may be struggling with a hormonal imbalance.
Let's look at 6 common manifestations:
Irregular cycles, heavy or light bleeding, pain, PMS or even loss of menstruation, all of this is largely due to hormones. The female cycle is mainly regulated by two sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone . Estrogen dominates in the first part of the cycle, and after ovulation, progesterone takes over. Together, they regulate the cycle and prepare the uterine lining for possible pregnancy. It is essential that their levels are balanced. However, inappropriate eating habits, excessive stress or a lack of certain nutrients can promote imbalance. In particular, a deficiency of magnesium or B vitamins is associated with a worsening of the premenstrual period, which many women experience with mood swings, cravings or breast tenderness. ( 1 , 2 )
Once estrogen begins to accumulate in the body, or, conversely, not enough progesterone is produced due to lack of ovulation, a well-known hormonal condition called estrogen dominance occurs , which leads to unpleasant symptoms of the menstrual cycle in girls and women.
Nature has come up with a really clever idea. The brain reacts immediately to any emergency and adapts the behavior of the entire organism to it. If you have been suffering from zero libido for a long time, stress and the stress hormone cortisol may be the main reason behind it. Because why endanger the life of another, unborn person, if the body does not feel safe?
Another common cause of low sex drive is insufficient production of sex hormones and decreased thyroid function. ( 3 ) This is again associated with excessive stress response, insufficient intake, deficiency of certain important nutrients, or bodily changes that affect organ function and hormone production.
However, what can positively affect not only libido and proper hormone levels, but also reduce fatigue and exhaustion, is an herb called Ashwagandha . Together with magnesium, it improves the body's stress response, optimizes the menstrual cycle and supports reproductive functions in both women and men. ( 4 )
Similar to male pattern baldness, excessive hair loss in women is caused by hormonal changes. The first reason may be a decreased thyroid function, which prevents hair follicles from growing.
In the second case, it may be a manifestation of PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome . Hair thinning and, conversely, significant hair growth in other areas of the body is caused by inflammation and increased insulin secretion, which leads to changes in the ovaries and reproductive hormones. This leads to excessive production of androgens, the so-called male hormones, in the female body, which is reflected, among other things, in the condition of the skin and hair. ( 5 )
Sensitivity to cold and a constant feeling of coldness may not always mean that your hormones are out of whack. In many cases, the culprit is "only" a low body fat percentage, insufficient energy intake, or a sedentary job that doesn't allow you to move regularly.
However, chronically cold hands, even in the warmest of weather, may indicate a possible thyroid dysfunction. ( 6 ) In addition to metabolism and temperature regulation, the thyroid also controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle, which can affect overall hormone levels. Cold hands and feet may indicate that not all organs or hormones are functioning properly.
A sign of a healthy body includes regular bowel movements. However, if you feel the need to go to the bathroom at any time during the day, it may be a sign that your body is being overrun by stress hormones and other functions that are not essential for survival are being put on hold.
Short-term stress promotes a healthy stress response. But when it’s chronic, your body goes into “ fight or flight ” mode. In this state, digestion or reproduction are not your top priority; survival is. That’s why the stress response involves the immediate removal of waste from your intestines and bladder. ( 7 ) This is largely due to certain neurotransmitters that receptors in your bladder respond to. If you’re experiencing this on a regular basis, consider whether you have too much stress in your life.
Despite a good nine hours of sleep, can't you get out of bed in the morning and only a cup of strong coffee wakes you up? Do you feel exhausted at the end of the day, but have trouble falling asleep at night or do you constantly wake up?
Two of the most important areas that play a role in energy levels are the thyroid and adrenal glands. When the body is under prolonged stress, these organs cannot function properly. Specifically, the stress hormone cortisol, secreted by the adrenal glands, disrupts the function of the thyroid gland and its necessary hormone conversion. However, over time, chronic stress can also tire the adrenal glands themselves, resulting in a decrease in overall cortisol production. Since cortisol is essential for your morning “kick” when you wake up, a lack of it can lead to chronic fatigue. ( 8 )
Hormonal imbalance does not only apply to these mentioned symptoms, it can make itself known through many different signals.
If you have a question about hormonal health, don't hesitate to ask in our Femvie consultation! We answer your questions for free every Thursday.*
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Are you troubled by irregular cycles, PMS or missed periods? Not sure how to alleviate your PCOS or endometriosis symptoms? Contact our Femvie experts who will create an individual plan for you based on your medical history, lab results, symptom monitoring, cycle analysis and a 90 min. initial consultation. Our experts will give you a complete assessment of your health condition and will continuously support you so that you achieve results.
*The consultation does not serve as a substitute for gynecological support and assistance. If you are experiencing any health problems, we recommend that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Sources used:
- https://yoppie.com/blog/magnesium-magic-menstrual-cycle
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/suffering-from-pms-chow-down-on-b-vitamins/article622658/
- https://obgynal.com/causes-of-low-sex-drive-in-women-and-how-to-increase-your-libido/
- https://ksm66ashwagandhaa.com/clinical-studies/
- https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/hair-loss/how-hormonal-hair-loss-is-different-from-alopecia
- https://www.boostthyroid.com/blog/2019/9/13/why-are-my-hands-and-feet-always-cold
- https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/frequent-urination/
- https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/frequent-urination/
