5 Signs Your Hormones are Imbalanced

There are a variety of signs your hormones are imbalanced, but we don’t always know what to look for. This post is meant to simplify the complex and ever-changing world of hormones. Read along to learn more and see if the 5 most common signs of imbalance may be playing a role in your health and wellness! 

1. Fatigue

One of the main hormones that has a direct relationship to fatigue is Cortisol.  This is our stress hormone that is triggered when you have a stressful event.  If stress becomes prolonged then there is a chronic activation of cortisol, leading to less than adequate levels to utilize during our daily stressors.  

In addition, when your body is making too much cortisol, it begins to pull resources for the increased production to make cortisol. These same resources are used to make sex hormones which can further lead to the feelings of fatigue.

No one is immune to stress and this can affect someone at any stage of life.  However, an imbalance in the management of stress and cortisol levels can be more apparent during significant events such as conception, postpartum and perimenopause.  Conception can be affected due to impaired production in sex hormones or healing can be delayed in the postpartum phase.  Lastly, during the transition into menopause, one of the best strategies to calm common symptoms is to have well-established strategies to manage chronic stress. 

2. Low Libido

Low libido can be a sign of chronic stress affecting Cortisol and sex hormone levels as noted above. Our first recommendation would be to build more recovery into your day to improve stress - balance recovery as this ultimately will optimize fertility and overall reproductive health.  This can be achieved through relaxation techniques, gentle daily movement, optimizing sleep and having a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein and fats.  As libido improves, this can be especially helpful for those trying to conceive as it may also increase chances of intercourse on fertile days!

Estrogen can also play a major role in libido, especially during postpartum and perimenopause phases.  During both transitions, there is a drop in estrogen levels.  This could lead to vaginal dryness and pelvic pain during intercourse, further reducing sex drive.  

3. Brain Fog

Brain fog overlaps with fatigue due to changes in hormone levels within a cycle as well as hormone level changes throughout various stages in life--primarily having to do with decreased estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  Brain fog includes feelings of decreased mental sharpness, confusion, poor memory or lack of focus. Employ a basic action plan to improve cognition by reducing stress, optimizing sleep patterns and keeping a consistent movement or exercise routine.

4. Difficulty Losing Weight

Cortisol strikes again! When cortisol levels are chronically high, this ultimately increases appetite, facilitates the storage of fat in the abdominal viscera, and muscle loss, all leading to weight gain. Try to maintain a stable blood sugar during the day to reduce cravings by including a small portion of protein with every meal and reduce added sugar especially in pre packaged snacks.  

Difficulty losing weight may be exacerbated during the postpartum and perimenopause phases when estrogen levels are lower. If you also struggle with adequate sleep during this time, it may contribute to this symptom as well. Poor sleep leads to the increase in the hormone ghrelin which drives appetite and makes us more hungry.

5. Heavy Periods or Painful Cramps

Typically a thickening of the uterine lining is due to heightened levels of estrogen and decreased levels of progesterone. This can lead to heavier periods as the endometrium lays down more and more tissue when it is not balanced out with progesterone levels. This can occur in individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or in women with a diagnosis of endometriosis. 

In the postpartum period, as hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are trying to self-regulate again, you can expect some fluctuation in your menstrual blood flow. The same goes for early on in menstruation, typically as young women, in addition to the perimenopause phase when periods become less predictable and more irregular.

Pelvic floor therapy can help to improve tissue mobility, blood flow and hydration in the pelvic region which can ultimately improve libido, and normalize heavy periods. We can also address functional health concerns that may be affecting your hormone health. Consider coming in for a pelvic floor consultation or evaluation to see if you’re a candidate for therapy to help address these issues. If you’d like to get a baseline idea of your hormone levels, we will be offering baseline hormone testing via the DUTCH test. Inquire with the office for more information!

If you want to learn even more about balancing hormones, download our 10 Ways to Naturally Balance Your Hormones guide for FREE!