At a certain stage in a woman’s life, symptoms such as night sweats, low moods, poor sleep, and weight gain may automatically be attributed to imminent menopause (also known as perimenopause). While this may be true in some cases, it isn’t the rule, and women may tolerate discomfort when they really don’t have to.
Hormonal imbalances unrelated to perimenopause can result in many of the same symptoms. Because hormones govern most of the body’s key internal functions, when they are out of balance, it can result in quite a bit of chaos in the body with a long list of symptoms.
When your hormones are appropriately balanced, many of the body’s major systems function in a much healthier way! The team at Happy Hormone Cottage specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). This helps people with hormone imbalances or deficiencies achieve more sustainable hormone levels.
Hormones are chemical messengers that convey messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues, instructing your body on what to do and when. Hormones are necessary for life and well-being.
Researchers have identified over 50 hormones in the human body. Your endocrine system, made mostly of glands, produces and releases hormones that regulate a massive range of body functions, including:
The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. This production decreases during perimenopause, leading to hormone shifts or a decline in estrogen. It can, therefore, be easy to mistake the signs of a hormonal imbalance for the typical signs of perimenopause.
Hormonal imbalances are commonly associated with the following symptoms:
Menopause features the above symptoms as well as:
Since hormones are generated in glands throughout the body, there are several ways for production and distribution to be interrupted, resulting in a hormonal imbalance. Some imbalances result from physical issues, such as a tumor or cancer, while others are caused by poor nutrition, lack of sleep, stress, and other lifestyle factors.
Other factors can also cause hormonal imbalances in women. During your menstrual cycle, hormones change, which can cause symptoms like insomnia or bloating. Hormones are also affected during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Perimenopause gives rise to hormonal changes as well.
However, specific hormonal imbalances are caused by other factors, such as:
An overactive or underactive thyroid gland throws off thyroid hormone levels in your body. These problems might arise due to autoimmune disorders, medications, tumors, and other factors.
Your body produces cortisol in response to stress. Chronic stress subjects your body to high amounts of cortisol for extended periods of time, which can disrupt other hormones in the body. For example, a prolonged oversupply of cortisol can result in Cushing’s syndrome.
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa can disrupt hormone levels, resulting in insufficient estrogen, inadequate bone density, infertility, and other consequences.
Some forms of birth control contain hormones, which can cause side effects such as irregular periods, weight gain, digestive issues, and more. Discontinuing hormonal birth control can temporarily impact your natural hormone levels while they reset.
Estrogen helps your body prepare for pregnancy and delivery, preserves bone health, reduces cholesterol, and regulates insulin. Progesterone works alongside to keep estrogen in check and help maintain hormonal balance. While a decline in estrogen levels promotes menopause, too much of it can cause weight gain, depression, headaches, irregular menstruation, blood clots, insulin difficulties, gallbladder illness, and other symptoms. Other hormones, including testosterone, must also interact with estrogen and progesterone for balance and overall health.
Your medical history, age, physical exam, and a saliva hormone test can help identify whether you have begun perimenopause or have another form of hormonal imbalance. Several hormone replacement treatments are available, and your provider will assist you in determining the optimal program for your specific health needs and lifestyle.
If you feel that a hormone imbalance is interfering with your health or lifestyle, contact the Happy Hormone Cottage. We’re here to listen, and we appreciate that you know your own body and can identify issues. We are always happy to answer any questions and provide you with detailed information regarding hormone therapy! We want to share your success and will be with you on every step of your hormone-balancing journey!
Call our office at (513) 444-6343 to speak with a member of our team or schedule a consultation online today!
