Signs You Have a Hormone Imbalance

Have you ever built a house of cards? When every card is perfectly in sync and flawlessly stacked, everybody is happy, right? But one wrong move or one small card out of line can cause the whole tower to collapse.

The same goes for hormones. These special little chemicals work to keep your body functioning at its best. But the moment a hormone is thrown off balance for whatever reason, the symptoms that follow can disrupt your whole body and your overall wellbeing! And the symptoms can be a bit different between men and women. But here are the most common signs and symptoms you have a hormonal imbalance:

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In women

According to a recent survey of 2,000 women, almost half of participants had experienced symptoms of a hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives. There are many hormones in the female body that can be thrown out of whack, but the most common are estrogen (the main female sex hormone), progesterone (the hormone released during ovulation and pregnancy), and testosterone (the hormone responsible for the musculoskeletal system and sexual desire). And all can cause different symptoms and ailments in women if they are irregular, like:

1. Estrogen imbalance

• Bloating
• Tender breasts
• Decreased sex drive
• Irregular periods that are often heavy and painful
• Anxiety
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Endometriosis
• Brain fog

2. Progesterone imbalance

• Infertility
• Anxiety and depression
• Hot flashes
• Irregular bleeding
• Loss of period

3. Testosterone imbalance

• Excess body hair (especially on face)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Mood swings
• Deepening of voice
• Acne
• Hair loss
• Dry skin
• Loss of sex drive
• Increase in body fat
• Sexual dysfunction

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In men
Men are less likely than women to have immediate noticeable symptoms of hormone imbalance, but if their main sex hormone, testosterone is thrown off, it can cause a whole cocktail of unpleasant symptoms. Also, certain conditions like diabetes can increase a man’s risk for low testosterone.
Testosterone imbalance:
• Gynecomastia (male breasts)
• Low libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Muscle loss
• Fat gain
• Mood changes
• Anxiety and depression
• Fatigue
In both genders
And last but not least, there are also conditions that cause hormone imbalance in both men and women including diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing syndrome, adrenal fatigue, medications, and even chronic stress. The most common symptoms in both men and women are:
• Sensitivity to cold or heat
• Weight changes
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Bowel issues
• Weakness
• Increased thirst
• Muscle aches
• Pain or swelling of joints
• Thinning hair
• Mood changes
• Sweating
• Nervousness or irritability
• Puffy face
• Goiter
Although hormones can be complex, thankfully discovering if they are wreaking havoc in your sensitive body is quite easy. Hormone levels can usually be retrieved through a simple blood test. Contact your doctor if you’ve been experiencing these symptoms without any other known cause. And also, if you are entering a stage of life that is filled with hormone irregularity such as menopause, meet with your physician to find the right treatment plan to get you feeling your best again. And your house of cards will stay standing.