Your hormones are extremely important to your body. Because of this, it’s imperative to ensure they are properly regulated.
Below is more information about female hormones, what can cause imbalances, and what can be done to address these imbalances in a healthy way.
The Role of Hormones
Female hormones are a very important part of the body. They regulate many bodily functions that include:
* Blood pressure
* Blood sugar
* Sexual and reproductive functions
* Stress
* Metabolism
* Growth and development
* Mood
* And more
As hormones are extremely important, any changes and imbalances can cause issues that range from minor to major. Some changes are natural and cannot be avoided, while others are indicative of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
What are Hormonal Imbalances?
A hormonal imbalance is when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the body. These can affect many different functions of the body. Because of this, it’s important to have hormonal imbalances addressed as soon as symptoms become apparent.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
There are few potential causes of hormonal imbalance. These include:
* Hyperthyroidism
* Diabetes
* Hypothyroidism
* Cysts
* Pituitary tumors
* Stress
* Acromegaly
* Cancer
* Overweight or obesity
* Birth control or hormonal replacement
* And many others
Hormones will change during menopause as well. Unlike many of the causes above, menopause is natural and is no cause for concern. It also cannot be avoided. If there are any symptoms that are causing discomfort during menopause, your doctor can address them.
Symptoms of Female Hormonal Imbalance
Some frequent symptoms of hormonal imbalance include:
* Infertility
* Rashes
* Mood swings
* Diarrhea
* Constipation
* Excessive hair growth
* Back or abdominal pain during menstruation
* Irregular menstrual cycle
* Low sex drive
* Brittle bones
* Insomnia
* And others
Visit urgent care or your OBGYN when you notice these symptoms. It’s important for a physician to perform an exam and determine the underlying issue.
How To Regulate Female Hormones
There are a few ways to regulate female hormones (depending on the reason for the imbalance). These may include:
* Hormonal replacement medications. For those going through menopause, hormonal replacement medications may be used to address severe symptoms.
* Birth control. Birth control may be used to help with an irregular menstrual cycle.
* Vaginal estrogen cream. Vaginal estrogen cream is often used to help with excessive vaginal dryness.
* Anti-androgen medications. These medications are used to block androgen. This can help with limiting excessive hair growth and acnes.
* Clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole. For those with PCOS, these medications may help with stimulating ovulation and increasing chances of pregnancy.
Speak with your doctor to see if any of these treatments are right for you. If not, they will determine the right treatment option.
Reach Out
If you are experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, reach out today. We’ll set an appointment for a physician to perform exams to determine the root cause. From there, a treatment plan can be put in place to address symptoms and treat root causes.