Hormones are chemical messengers that the endocrine glands secrete directly into your bloodstream. The blood then transports these hormones to various tissues and organs to exert their functions. Hormones regulate different processes in your body, including metabolism, sexual function, body temperature, cognitive function, and development and growth. Since they affect multiple body functions, hormone imbalances San Diego can lead to uncomfortable symptoms. Hormonal imbalance occurs when you have excess or insufficient levels of certain hormones such as insulin, cortisol, estrogen, androgens, or progesterone.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance
Different symptoms can result from excess or inadequate hormones in your body. The symptoms you experience depend on which hormones or glands are not functioning correctly. Below are the common symptoms of female hormonal imbalance
Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and they usually coexist. Most women transitioning to menopause experience hot flashes, and those undergoing cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgical removal of ovaries can also develop these symptoms. Hot flashes are usually due to a decline in estrogen levels which your body stops producing as you approach menopause. Women who experience a hot flash describe it as a heat sensation diffusing from the chest area and radiating to the neck and head.
Hot flashes may last for approximately three to four minutes and cause a rapid heartbeat in some women. Your face and neck may turn red as you experience a hot flash. Sometimes they can happen as you sleep, causing you to wake up in the morning feeling tired. Estrogen therapy can help reduce hot flashes and other symptoms such as vaginal dryness.
Decreased sex drive
Your desire for sex can drop due to variations in estrogen and estrogen levels. Other factors such as your emotional and physical well-being, relationships, past experiences, and beliefs influence your sexual life. Health problems such as diabetes can also result in low libido. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin or when your body does not utilize insulin as it should.
Sweaty skin
Certain hormones in your body, such as progesterone and estradiol, affect thermoregulation. Estradiol promotes heat dispersion while progesterone conserves heat. An imbalance in these two hormones can cause symptoms such as excessive sweating and hot flashes. Excessive sweating may also be due to endocrine changes in life stages such as pregnancy and perimenopause. Other health problems such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and hyperpituitarism also cause excessive sweating.
Acne
A hormonal imbalance before your periods may trigger acne and worsen other skin concerns. Hormones such as androgen and testosterone are associated with acne.
Hair loss
It is normal to lose some hair every day, but starting to lose a lot of hair could indicate a health problem. Hair loss is mostly a symptom of an underlying issue, so it is essential to treat the cause and not just the sign. An imbalance of several hormones such as thyroid and sex hormones may cause hair loss. For example, women approaching menopause or experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome may experience hair loss.
Consult your doctor at Gain Wellness Center for further inquiries about hormonal imbalance.
