Hormone Imbalance in Men & Women: Causes & Symptoms

Hormones are our body’s chemical messengers that carry messages between cells and organs. It is produced by endocrine system specifically at the endocrine glands. Hormones play major roles in the body’s system as it regulates heart rate, body metabolism, appetite, mood, sexual function, reproduction, growth and development, and also sleep cycles.  It travels through the bloodstream to tissues and organs which consistently help our body to thrive.

When the production of hormones are being disturbed by other factors, where the level of hormones becomes too high or too low, it can have a big impact on your health and well-being. Hormonal imbalances may happen anytime regardless of age and gender and may cause health problems that require ongoing medical treatment.

Bioidentical hormone is an identical chemical structure containing progesterone and estrogen. This hormone is used to treat symptoms of menopause in women. They are produced and synthesised from a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy. It is proven to be safer and more effective than other approved hormones.

Hormonal imbalances may occur to both men and women regardless of age. It occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream which cause side effects throughout the body even when only small changes happens. Women may experience imbalances of estrogen and progesterone while men will experience imbalances in testosterone levels.

For women, hormonal imbalances can cause irritation, mood swings and also feeling bloated. These symptoms are common during period (puberty), pregnancy, breastfeeding or during menopause. When the endocrine glands are not functioning properly, hormonal imbalances happens. Endocrine glands are specialized cells that produce, store, and release hormones into the blood. 

The causes of hormonal imbalances includes:

•   Chronic or extreme stress
•   Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
•   Hyperglycemia-overproduction of glucagon
•   Hypoglycemia-more insulin produced than there is glucose in the blood
•   Hyperthyroidism-overactive thyroid
•   Hypothyroidism- underactive thyroid
•   Parathyroid-over or under production of hormones
•   Gaining weight-being overweight
•   Abuse of anabolic steroid medications
•   Solitary thyroid nodules
•   Pituitary tumors
•   Cushing’s syndrome-high levels of the hormone cortisol
•   Addison’s disease-low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
•   Severe allergic reactions or infections
•   Goiters-Iodine deficiency
•   Hereditary pancreatitis
•   Turner syndrome- females with only one functioning x chromosome
•   Prader-Willi syndrome
•   Anorexia
•   Plant estrogens found in soy products

Hormones play a major role in the human body systems as it controls the mental, physical and emotional health. Endocrine gland will produce the precise amount of each hormone and distribute among various processes in our body system. However, hormonal imbalances are becoming common due to the modern lifestyle that causes certain hormones decline with age and diet lifestyle. Some people may experience more dramatic changes than others.

Fortunately, by promoting healthy lifestyle and having a nutritious diet can help in boosting hormonal health.

Natural ways to balance hormones includes:

1. Have enough of protein intake in every meal – Dietary protein provides amino acid to maintain muscle, bone and skin health.
2. Exercise regularly – exercise can help in reducing insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
3. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates – avoiding obesity, diabetes and other diseases. 
4. Learn how to manage stress – stress may affect cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol helps the body to cope with stress over the long term.
5. Consume healthy fats – Helps in reducing insulin resistance and appetite.
6. Avoid obsessive diet lifestyle – Overeating and undereating may cause disturbance to the insulin level and insulin sensitivity.
7. Eat Omega-3 source of diet often – omega-3 fatty acids provide impressive anti-inflammatory and also beneficial in hormonal health which reduces levels of the stress.
8. Get enough, consistent and high quality sleep – poor sleep may affect the production of insulin, cortisol, leptin and also growth hormone.
9. Consume high fiber diet – enough intake of fiber in the diet may increase insulin sensitivity which stimulates the production of hormones that make you feel full and satisfied.

These approved FDA therapies have been proven to be tested and safe to use in treating women hormonal imbalances and male hormonal imbalances. Some side effects may happen when a dose is first given as the body are not used to the new level of hormones. The dose may  depending on how the body is reacting.

During adjustment period of hormones, some side effects may include:

• Weight gain
• Tiredness
• Acne
• Increasing in facial hair for women
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Spotting
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Mood changes or depression
• Indigestion
• Blurred vision

Do consult with the doctor if the side effects are more than you can manage or does not go away after a long time.

If you’d like to know more about bioidentical hormones therapy, please call us to arrange a consultation session. We are available from 8am to 12 midnight DAILY.

Call/Whatsapp: 012-662-5552

Email: contactus@premier-clinic.com