Hormones play an important role in a person’s well-being and health. When your hormones fluctuate it can effect ovulation, fertility, sexual desire and mood. In women an imbalance of estrogen can cause early menopause and all the symptoms that come with it. Nutrition, diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress, emotions and age all have an affect on hormone balance.
Gynecologists, obstetricians and endocrinologists are trained specialists that can diagnose and treat hormonal imbalance and abnormalities. Treatment depends on the person’s health, the type of imbalance they have and the severity of the fertility condition. A diet low in fat and high in fiber is recommended for optimum health to keep the hormones balanced. People suffering from PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome may additionally be treated with ovulation medications and estrogen creams may be prescribed for cervical mucus irregularities. People of all ages can experience hormonal imbalances with symptoms showing up the the late twenties through forties and women can experience symptoms during their menstrual cycle.
Your hormones can either be too high or too low to cause an imbalance. High levels of estrogen can cause depression, cramps, migraines and irregular periods. It is especially common to see this in women over the age of 35. High blood pressure or diabetes can cause high levels as well. Low estrogen will affect pain centers, sleeping, thinking and digestion. Women who are thin and exercise a lot are often diagnosed with low estrogen. It is common in women who have had a hysterectomy, are in menopause or during chemotherapy treatments. Mood can be greatly affected as well. Progesterone in high levels can cause vaginal dryness and fatigue. Androgens regulate the liver, muscle and kidneys as well as the libido. High levels can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Eating a poor diet can lead to physical changes in the brain. Eating disorders, adrenal gland problems and ovulation problems can lead to imbalanced hormones. The use of drugs, caffeine and alcohol can also cause hormonal issues.
After the birth of a child a woman’s hormones will be out of balance. Post-partum depression affects about 13 percent of new mothers. The thyroid can also be affected by childbirth in a condition called post-partum thyroiditis where the thyroid becomes inflamed and a woman will gain weight and feel fatigued. This condition can be properly diagnosed through a blood test.
Some women experience hormonal imbalance when they are taking birth control pills or after they stop taking them. Women on the pill tend to have low testosterone. These synthetic hormones alter the menstrual cycle so women aren’t producing their own estrogen, progesterone or testosterone and over time leads to a permanent loss of natural hormone functioning. Some women who go off the pill can be hormone deficient from weeks to years.
Other reasons for hormone imbalances can include glandular problems. The hypothalamus, thyroid and pituitary glands produce reproductive hormones. When abnormalities occur in these glands fertility problems follow. Premature menopause, also known as premature ovarian failure, will occur when women under the age of 40 lack hormones needed for ovulation and menstruation as a result of depletion of available eggs. Environmental chemicals in our air, water and food can cause hormonal issues. Prolonged stress can disrupt the natural process of the body to cope leading to a multitude of symptoms.
Having a balanced lifestyle and diet are important for hormone balance. Natural treatment methods like hormone balance medicinals are gentle on your body and effective in restoring hormone levels. If you feel you have a problem go and see your doctor for diagnosis and a plan of treatment.
Brenda Hughes is a highly educated author covering natural health care products including natural supplements, nutritional supplements, hormone balance medicinals, and kelp supplements and extending the word to patients to use organic health products for the aim of increasing the core wellbeing and fitness of persons all around the globe.