…Hormonal Imbalance: Which Hormone is Causing You Problems?…
When you talk about hormonal imbalance, most people would readily assume that
this talks about just one condition. While this is generally true, since hormonal
imbalance does refer to a condition where a person has hormones that are out of
whack, there are actually quite a few kinds of hormonal imbalance that you can
experience. The different types are based on which hormone is not at its usual
level, and this brings about a list of symptoms that you may experience.
In women, there are around 6 types of hormonal imbalances. In order for the
treatment to fit the problem, a diagnosis first needs to be made on what kind of
imbalance you are going through. Diagnosis can be made with a visit to your
doctor, who will either try to determine what imbalance you are experiencing
through testing, or by finding out what your symptoms are.
Different Kinds of Hormonal Imbalance
Estrogen Dominance – as the name implies, this is when your estrogen levels are
very high. Estrogen levels that are higher than normal are usually experienced by
women in their mid to late 30s, and they often attribute the many symptoms they
experience to age, and their monthly cycle. Some of the symptoms of estrogen
dominance include PMS, uterine fibroids, insomnia, allergies, depression, cramps,
and migraines. Also part of the long list of symptoms that come with this hormonal
imbalance include memory loss, lethargy, mood swings, and hot flashes, among
others.
Low Estrogen Levels – this is the opposite of the aforementioned type, and is
often prevalent with women who are going through menopause. This can also be
experienced by women who have undergone a hysterectomy, are getting cancer
treatments, or are suffering from autoimmune problems. If you have this kind of an
imbalance, you can see such symptoms as hot flashes, arthritis, vaginal dryness,
mood swings, sleeplessness, and night sweats emerging. You may also experience
a lower sex drive, migraines, memory lapses, and skin problems.
High Progesterone Levels – if you are taking contraceptives, there is a high
probability that your progesterone levels are higher than normal. When this
hormone is imbalanced, you can expect to see symptoms such as breast
tenderness, dizziness, yeast infections, and mood swings. Feeling sleepy all the
time, and feeling bloated are also symptoms of an increase in progesterone levels.
Low Progesterone Levels – this is when progesterone levels drop, and this can
be caused by a number of things. You can experience low progesterone levels when
you have too much estrogen in your system, are ingesting too much sugar, not
exercising enough, and are overly stressed. This hormonal imbalance is often
accompanied by symptoms that include weight gain, depression, water retention,
panic attacks, infertility, and vaginal dryness, among others.
High Androgen Levels – women who have higher-than-normal androgen levels
may find themselves with symptoms that include acne, infertility, irregular
menstrual periods, and thinning hair. If you have this kind of hormonal imbalance,
you may also find yourself with hirsutism, which is a condition that allows hair to
grow excessively in areas that are not common for women, like the upper lip or the
chin. This hormonal imbalance can also bring about more serious problems like
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Low Androgen Levels – often occurring during perimenopause, the decrease in
androgen levels can result in feelings of fatigue, vaginal dryness, low sex drive, and
low self-esteem. This can also occur when you find yourself missing periods due to
too much diet and exercise, and when your body is producing too much prolactin,
which usually happens when you are breastfeeding.
In order for you to determine what kind of hormonal imbalance you are going
through, a visit to your doctor is a must. As mentioned earlier, they can tell you
what you are going through with some tests and a careful scrutiny of your
symptoms. This will help them determine what kinds of treatments and therapies
are ideal for your imbalance woes, and whether or not therapies like HRT (hormone
replacement therapy) as well as a lifestyle change is necessary for the alleviation of
your symptoms.
Sources:
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/symptoms-of-hormone-imbalance.html
http://www.planetnaturopath.com/functional-pathology-testing/what-causes-hormonal-imbalances-in-women