Perhaps you too have encountered the statement that everything is caused by hormones. That they are responsible for weight gain, changing moods, and cravings. We at Femvie often talk about hormones because we know how important a role they play in a woman's (and everyone's) life. That's why we bring you a mini-series of articles on hormonal health, where you'll find out how hormones affect the body, why they might be behind some of your problems, and what to do to finally get your hormones on your side, not against you!
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical substances produced by endocrine glands. These glands include, for example, the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries in women, and testes in men. They are classified according to their chemical structure or according to the glands from which they originate. Their function then differs based on their origin. Hormones travel through the bloodstream throughout your body, affecting everything from metabolism and digestion to the menstrual cycle or energy levels.
Hormonal (im)balance
Hormones in the body complement and balance each other. Once a situation arises where a hormone is produced in a smaller amount, or there is too much of it, a so-called hormonal imbalance occurs. Even slight changes in production can have a significant impact on the entire body.
Changing hormone levels throughout life
Not all changes in hormones necessarily signal that something is wrong. In certain life stages, their levels naturally change, especially reproductive ones. The first visible changes occur during puberty. Boys' voices change, while 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.
With age, changes occur again in the reproductive system. Around the age of 40, women experience a state called menopause (in men, it's 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. Once the egg is fertilized by sperm, the female body begins to change. Menstrual cycle hormones shift their attention to the proper development of the fetus and the smooth course of pregnancy. Women who have already experienced pregnancy surely remember thick hair for several months, before it was replaced by hair everywhere else but on the head after childbirth. Similarly, hormonal changes also affect the condition of the skin, cravings, or changes in metabolism.
6 signs of hormonal imbalance
Hormones play an irreplaceable role in overall health. Because there are so many of them working in the body, and each contributes to something a little different, the symptoms of imbalance will depend on which hormones or endocrine glands are not functioning properly. Do you not feel yourself and can't identify what's causing your problems? You might be struggling with a hormonal imbalance.
Let's look at 6 common manifestations:
Irregular cycles, excessively heavy or light bleeding, pain, PMS, or even amenorrhea – hormones are largely behind all of these. The female cycle is primarily regulated by two sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen dominates in the first part of the cycle, while progesterone takes over after ovulation. Together, they regulate the cycle and prepare the uterine lining for potential pregnancy. It is essential that their levels are balanced. However, unsuitable 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 the worsening of the premenstrual period, which many women experience with mood swings, cravings, or breast tenderness. (1,2)
Once estrogen starts to accumulate in the body, or conversely, not enough progesterone is produced due to a lack of ovulation, the well-known hormonal condition called estrogen dominance occurs, which leads to unpleasant manifestations of the menstrual cycle in girls and women.
Nature has devised a truly clever system. The brain reacts instantly to any unusual event and adapts the behavior of the entire organism accordingly. If you have been struggling with zero libido for a long time, stress and the stress hormone cortisol may be the primary culprits. After all, why endanger the life of another, as yet unborn, human if the body doesn't feel safe?
Another common reason for low sexual desire is insufficient production of sex hormones and reduced thyroid function. (3) This is again associated with an excessive stress response, insufficient intake, a deficiency of some 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 alleviate 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, hormonal changes are also behind excessive hair loss in women. One reason could be reduced thyroid function, which prevents hair follicles from growing.
In the second case, it may be a manifestation of PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. Thinning hair and, conversely, pronounced body hair in other areas are caused by inflammation and increased insulin secretion, which leads to changes in the ovaries and reproductive hormones. In the female body, there is an excessive production of androgens, i.e., male hormones, which, among other things, affects the condition of the skin and hair. (5)
Sensitivity to cold and a constant feeling of chill do not always mean that your hormones are out of balance. In many cases, the culprit is "merely" a low percentage of body fat, insufficient energy intake, or a sedentary job where you don't have much opportunity to move regularly.
However, chronically cold hands even during the warmest periods can indicate a possible thyroid dysfunction.(6) In addition to metabolism and temperature regulation, it also controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle, and thus can affect overall hormone levels. Cold hands and feet can suggest that not all organs or hormones are performing their function correctly.
A sign of a healthy body includes regular excretion. However, if you feel the need to go to the bathroom frequently throughout the day, it may indicate that stress hormones have taken over your body, and other functions that are not essential for survival have been sidelined.
Short-term stress supports a proper stress response. However, if it accompanies you long-term, the body switches to "fight or flight" mode. In such a state, digestion or reproduction are not priorities; survival is crucial. Therefore, immediate waste removal from the intestines and bladder is part of the stress response. (7) This works mainly due to certain neurotransmitters to which bladder receptors respond. If you are regularly troubled by this issue, try to consider whether you have an excessive amount of stress in your life.
Despite getting a blissful nine hours of sleep, do you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, only to be roused by a strong cup of coffee? Do you feel exhausted by the end of the day, but then have trouble falling asleep or wake up constantly during the night?
Two of the most important areas that play a role in energy levels are the thyroid and adrenal glands. If the body is under prolonged stress, these organs cannot function properly. More precisely, the stress hormone cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands disrupts thyroid function and its essential hormone conversion. However, chronic stress eventually tires out the adrenal glands themselves, and as a result, overall cortisol production decreases. Since cortisol is essential for the morning "kick-start" when you wake up, its insufficient production manifests as chronic fatigue. (8)
Hormonal imbalance is not limited to these mentioned manifestations; 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 struggling with an irregular cycle, PMS, or amenorrhea? Don't know how to alleviate your PCOS or endometriosis symptoms? Contact our Femvie experts, who will create an individualized plan for you based on your medical history, laboratory results, symptom monitoring, cycle analysis, and a 90-minute initial consultation. Our experts will provide a complete evaluation of your health and continuously support you to achieve results.
*The consultation is not a substitute for gynecological support and assistance. If you are experiencing any health problems, we recommend contacting 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/
Femvie products that can help you
We have selected products related to this topic that can support your health:
- 💊 Ashwagandha Plus — an adaptogen for hormonal balance and stress reduction
- 💊 Magnesium — a key mineral for women's hormonal health
- 💊 Magnesium-Zinc-B6 — support for hormonal balance and the nervous system
- 💊 Natural Vitamin D — important for immunity and hormonal health
- 📖 Ten Commandments for a Healthy Cycle — a guide to natural support for the female cycle
Frequently asked questions
What causes hormonal imbalance?
Chronic stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, excessive exercise or, conversely, a sedentary lifestyle, environmental toxins, and age—all of these can disrupt hormonal balance.
How to recognize hormonal imbalance?
Fatigue, irregular cycles, acne, weight gain, mood swings, sleep problems, or decreased libido can be symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
How to naturally support hormonal balance?
Key factors include a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, stress reduction, and targeted dietary supplements. Tracking your menstrual cycle will help you identify patterns and changes.
