What is Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormones are chemical messengers in the human body. The endocrine gland is the source of these powerful potions that instructs your body organs what to do. The hormones play an integral part in significant functions like metabolism, reproduction, etc.

Unfortunately, hormonal imbalances in women are one of the biggest concerns recently. Almost 80% of women in India are suffering from hormonal imbalances. In hormonal imbalances, the hormone reproduction in your body increases or decreases by a significant amount. Therefore, even tiny changes in your hormone levels can impact your regular body functions.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance:

There are many possible causes of hormonal imbalances in the human body. It depends on which hormone gland is affected. Some common causes of hormonal imbalance are:

• -> Hormone therapy
• -> Medications
• -> Chemotherapy for cancer treatments
• -> Tumours
• -> Stress
• -> Trauma
• -> Eating habits

Especially for women's health, hormonal imbalances have become a prevalent issue. Most of the hormonal disorders in a woman's body disrupt the reproductive cycle. Some of the common causes are:

• -> Pregnancy
• -> PCOS
• -> Menopause
• -> Birth control pills
• -> Problems in breastfeeding

Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance:

• -> Weight gain
• -> A hump of fat between shoulders
• -> Sudden weight loss
• -> Muscle ache, weakness, stiff muscles
• -> Fatigue
• -> Joint pains, thickness or swelling
• -> Unnecessary sweating
• -> Extra sensitivity to cold or heat
• -> Constipation or other bowel issues
• -> Frequent urination
• -> Increased thirst or hunger
• -> Decreased sex drive
• -> Anxiety
• -> Getting irritated without any reason
• -> Disruptive periodic cycle
• -> Blurred vision
• -> Stretch marks
• -> Puffy face
• -> Dry skin
• -> Red patches (in some cases)

In female body, sometimes there are a few particular symptoms. For example, one of women's most common hormonal disorders is PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Some common symptoms for hormonal imbalances in women are:

• -> Irregular period cycle
• -> Excessive hair on chin, body, and face
• -> Hair loss on the scalp
• -> Skin darkening, especially under the breasts and neck creases
• -> Vaginal dryness
• -> Nightsweats
• -> Pain during sex
• -> Headaches

Diagnosis:

There are a few specific tests to detect hormonal disorders, like thyroid, diabetes, etc. The first step would obviously be making a proper appointment with a doctor and doing a detailed physical exam. Try to explain all your symptoms along with the timeline. Also, don't hide any of your medical histories. Sometimes certain medications or supplements can disrupt our hormonal levels, so tell the doctor about all your existing medicines and supplements.

Few things that the doctor needs to know to smoothen your treatment:

• -> How often do you face such issues?
• -> Do you eat/drink anything for relief?
• -> Did it affect your weight?
• -> Do you feel stressed more than usual?
• -> Are your periods regular?
• -> Are you planning any pregnancy, or did you just have a baby?
• -> Are you having any trouble while having intercourse?

5 Hormonal Issues Faced By Women:

PCOS:

More than 20% of India's women suffer from PCOS in their childbearing age. PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition where your ovaries start producing a higher amount of male hormones. In this condition, the estrogen (female) secretion gets disrupted, and Androgen (male) secretion increases. Therefore, your monthly period cycle also gets affected, and you can see hair loss on the scalp and extra hair on your face and body.

• -> Skipping monthly period cycle
• -> Ovary cysts
• -> Excessive body hair
• -> Hair loss on the scalp
• -> Belly fat
• -> Acne
• -> Male pattern baldness
• -> Low sex drive
• -> Skin darkening in armpits

• -> Genetic disorder
• -> Insulin resistance
• -> Unhealthy lifestyle
• -> Obesity
• -> Increased level of inflammation

Thyroidism:

Your thyroid gland produces a higher or lesser amount of T3/T4 hormones in this condition. There are two kinds of thyroidism, Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive Thyroid where your body produces more thyroid hormone, and in Hypothyroidism, the gland has fewer hormones. The disruption of Thyroid secretion can affect your weight and metabolism.

• -> Sudden weight loss or gain
• -> Having trouble to sleep
• -> Anxiety or nervousness
• -> Muscle weakness
• -> Irregular period
• -> Sensitivity to heat
• -> Irritation in eyes

• -> Family medical history
• -> Overweight
• -> Unhealthy lifestyle
• -> Swelling of the gland
• -> Childbirth (in some cases)

Diabetes:

It is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The insulin hormone is responsible for storing sugar in cells to produce energy. In diabetes, the insulin hormone level either gets higher or can't effectively work. Untreated diabetes can impact your nerve, kidneys, and other organs.

• -> Increased hunger and thirst
• -> Sudden weight loss or gain
• -> Frequent urination
• -> Extreme fatigue
• -> Blurry vision

• -> Heredity disorders
• -> Higher consumption of sugar and carbs
• -> Stress
• -> Low immunity system
• -> Overweight

Hirsutism:

This condition refers to the sudden hair fall on the scalp due to the increasing amount of Androgen. About half of all people with Hirsutisms have an excess amount of Androgen. These hormones are generally responsible for sexual and physical development. Therefore, this condition might happen, especially in Menopause.

• -> Oily skin
• -> Alopecia (Sudden hair loss)
• -> Receding hairline
• -> Enlarged clitoris
• -> Deeper voice

• -> Oversensitivity of hair follicles
• -> Increases level of Androgen
• -> High levels of Insulin (in some cases)
• -> Certain medications

Hormonal Acne:

Hormonal Acne and pimples have been a pain in the brain for most women. Especially, women who are suffering from PCOS experience hormonal Acne. Hormonal Acne affects between the ages of 20-50. Acne causes bumps on your face, shoulders, chest, and back in several forms like:

• -> Pimples
• -> Blackheads
• -> Cysts
• -> Whiteheads

• -> Inadequate sleep
• -> Stress or anxiety
• -> Excess sebum secretion
• -> Dead skin cells

Home Remedies to Treat Hormonal Problems:

Hormonal imbalance can be treated and maintained if you lead a healthy lifestyle. You can make the following modifications to keep your hormone levels:

• -> Drink adequate water
• -> Include a protein-enriched meal in your regular healthy diet
• -> Exercise regularly
• -> Reduce screen timing
• -> Avoid overeating
• -> Avoid consuming too many dairy products
• -> Avoid refined carbs, sugar, and caffeine
• -> Reduce stress because cortisol or stress hormone disrupts the process of estrogen secretion
• -> Consume healthy fat
• -> Eat fatty fish and anti-oxidants
• -> Get consistent and adequate sleep
• -> Consume high-fibre diet
• -> Consume plant-based health supplements. For example, andMe's herbal PCOS tea, PCOS drink, and Thyroid tea. These products are entirely free from any harmful and chemical preservatives. andMe understands the unique health needs of women and curates one of the best Ayurvedic supplements for women's health.