What Are the Signs of a Hormone Imbalance?

Do you feel tired regardless of how long you sleep each night? Do you have emotional outbursts that seem to come out of nowhere? Do you sweat at night or notice other signs that your body is struggling to maintain an optimal temperature? If so, you may be a good candidate for hormone treatment at Refinery Medspa in West Melbourne or Skin & Body By Refinery in Indian Harbour Beach. Keep reading to learn more about imbalanced hormones and when you should seek help from a medical professional.

What Are the Signs of a Hormone Imbalance? 

Hormone imbalance signs vary significantly because your body produces over 50 hormones, and each hormone is responsible for helping your body with several functions. For example, testosterone plays a significant role in sexual function and muscle health. Testosterone is also very important for maintaining a stable mood.  hormone imbalance

Therefore, if you suffer from low testosterone, there is a good chance that you will experience such signs as: 

  • Low libido
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Muscle mass loss
  • Mood swings

 

It is also common for people to suffer from low estrogen or progesterone. Both of these hormones are necessary for the production of testosterone, so if your body doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, you may notice many of the signs of low testosterone. You also may notice such symptoms as insomnia, lethargy, difficulty focusing, or hot flashes. Hair loss and osteoporosis are other signs of a hormone imbalance, but you may not notice any signs of osteoporosis.

Can a Hormone Imbalance Cause a Mood Disorder? 

Yes, imbalanced hormone levels can result in the development of a mood disorder, like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder. In severe cases, you may experience both mood swings and mood disorders if your hormone levels are imbalanced.

Can a Hormone Imbalance Cause Gastrointestinal Symptoms? 

Yes, imbalanced hormone levels can result in GI symptoms. For instance, you may suffer from constipation even if you eat a lot of fiber and drink a lot of water. Furthermore, you may pass stool more frequently than you did in the past or develop chronic diarrhea.

Can a Hormone Imbalance Affect My Skin? 

Yes, hormone imbalances can affect your skin in a number of ways. For example, you may develop acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis nigricans causes darkened skin on the sides and back of the neck or in the underarm area. Furthermore, hormone imbalances can cause the skin to become thin, warm, and moist or dry and coarse. Similarly, hormone imbalances can result in dry, coarse hair, hair loss, and skin tags.

Can a Hormone Imbalance Affect My Weight? 

Yes, hormone imbalances often affect weight. For example, if you suffer from low testosterone, you may initially lose weight as your muscles atrophy and you lose muscle mass. However, since muscle mass is so much more metabolically active than fat mass, it is common for fat gain to occur at the same time as muscle mass loss. Eventually, you may gain significantly more fat than you lose in muscle mass, resulting in a gain on the scale.

There are other ways hormone imbalances can affect your weight, too. For example, due to imbalanced hormone levels, you may feel hungry even when your body doesn’t need fuel, and it may take you longer than it should to feel satiated. Either of these things can result in eating a surplus of calories. Moreover, you may exercise less than you used to if hormone imbalances are causing you to feel lethargic or fatigued.

Thankfully there are treatment options for your hormones or weight loss journey that can help, such as utilizing the medication Contrave offered to select patients at Refinery Medspa in West Melborne and Skin & Body by Refinery in Indian Harbour Beach.

When Should I See a Hormone Expert in West Melbourne or Indian Harbour Beach? 

You should seek help from a hormone expert in West Melbourne or Indian Harbour Beach if you feel like there’s something wrong with you, but you can’t quite put your finger on what could be causing it. You may be a good candidate for hormone treatment, and you may be able to enjoy symptom relief in as few as four weeks. However, it may take up to half a year for you to enjoy optimal results. The sooner you’re diagnosed, the sooner you can start to feel better.

How Are Hormone Imbalances Diagnosed? 

Several diagnostic tools can be used to diagnose hormone imbalances. Sometimes, hormone imbalances can be detected by analyzing a urine sample. However, blood tests are usually recommended because they are quick and very accurate.

Since your endocrine glands deposit hormones into your bloodstream directly, all of your hormone levels can be assessed. If you suspect you suffer from low testosterone and are a male under the age of 45, you will need to come in for testing in the early morning.

Am I a Good Candidate for Hormone Treatment? 

If your hormone levels are imbalanced, you will be considered a good candidate for hormone treatment. To find out whether your hormone levels are imbalanced, though, you need to have them tested by a hormone expert. Once we identify which of your hormones are imbalanced, we will discuss how you can best proceed. Typically, Biote hormone optimization therapy is recommended.

Can My Diet and Lifestyle Improve My Hormone Imbalance? 

Eating nutritiously and exercising regularly can reduce your hormone imbalance. However, it is not usually sufficient to correct the problem completely. If your estrogen levels are high, for example, you can improve your symptoms by increasing your fiber intake and decreasing your fat intake. You also can reduce your estrogen levels by exercising five to seven days per week. Both cardio and anaerobic exercises have been found to benefit hormone balance.

What Causes a Hormone Imbalance? 

Causes of High Estrogen

Sometimes, high estrogen is caused by taking certain drugs or supplements, like ginseng or Ginkgo biloba supplements, phenothiazines, or antibiotics. However, it is also possible that you are genetically predisposed to making too much estrogen. Other potential causes of excess estrogen production include: 

  • Hypogonadism
  • Chronic stress
  • Obesity
  • Liver disease
  • Certain tumors

Causes of Low Estrogen

Two of the most common causes of low estrogen are rapid weight loss and malnutrition. Obesity is another very common cause of low estrogen. If you suffer from obesity or are overweight, you should lose weight slowly while ensuring you get sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals in your diet. Typically, it is advisable to lose only one or two pounds per week, but exceptions apply.

For instance, it may be safe for you to lose 1% of your body mass each week if you weigh more than 200 pounds. Just make sure you talk to your primary care physician before you start a new diet or exercise routine to ensure it will be safe for you. Other medical conditions besides obesity can also cause low estrogen. Examples include: 

  • Sexual organ infection
  • Pituitary gland conditions
  • Tuberculosis
  • HIV
  • Histiocytosis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Klinefelter or Turner syndrome

 

Some of the most common signs of a hormone imbalance include feeling lethargic, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight unintentionally, and sexual dysfunction. However, symptoms can vary because there are over 50 hormones that could be imbalanced, and each hormone helps with multiple functions. If you’re in the Indian Harbour Beach or West Melbourne area contact The Refinery Medspa & Wellness and Skin & Body by The Refinery by using our simple online form. Alternatively, you can also call us at 321-341-3321 to reach us in West Melbourne, FL, or call us at 321-428-3004 to reach us in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for our latest deals and specials & events!