Sometimes, we all feel a bit off. We’re not quite sick, but we don’t feel quite right. If it is just now and then, that’s life, but if you’re chronically feeling like there’s something wrong – barring other obvious factors – it may be time to consider that your hormones are out of whack.
Hormones are messengers, so to speak, overseeing a wide range of the body’s functions. They are the tools of the endocrine system, which includes the reproductive glands, pancreas, adrenals, hypothalamus, thyroid and pituitary gland, to name a few of the main players.
Since the endocrine system does so much throughout the body, if something goes awry hormonally, you may feel it in a wide variety of ways. The following are seven warning signs that you may need to get your hormones back in balance.
1. Your skin has seen better days.
If you are experiencing chronic acne, dermatitis, or are sweating way too much, it may be hormonal. The reason that teenagers famously get acne so often is that hormones are in overdrive during puberty.
2. You’re gaining weight.
Hormonal imbalances may sometimes lead to weight gain, especially around the belly area. If you’ve been eating healthy and exercising, and still can’t seem to lose any weight, hormones may be the culprit.
3. You suffer frequent mood swings, chronic stress, depression, or fits of anger.
The most famous of these hormonally-charged mood changes is probably PMS, which if severe could signify something amiss with your endocrine system. Stress, anger and depression can also result from haywire hormones.
4. You have no energy.
If you’ve been getting enough sleep, eating right, not working yourself to the bone, and still can’t seem to find the gusto to get moving, hormones could be to blame.
5. You can’t sleep, or sleep too much.
Can’t fall asleep even though you’re exhausted? Slept for 10 hours and still don’t feel rested? Could be hormones.
6. You’re having issues in the bedroom.
For men, this could be an inability to get or maintain an erection. For women, this could be vaginal dryness, to name just one possibility. If your love life has taken a downturn and there isn’t another explanation, you may start to suspect hormonal imbalance.
7. You’re experiencing some physical changes.
In some cases of significant hormonal imbalances, men may start to see increases in breast tissue, and women may see unusual facial hair crop up. If this happens, it’s almost definitely hormonal.
So, what to do if your hormones are out of whack? Well, first of all, it’s prudent to say that while sometimes it is the result of a medical condition, hormonal imbalances are often due to lifestyle. Your first line of attack is to change the foods you eat – check out our recent article on how your culinary choices can affect your hormones.
If changing your eating habits, and living a healthy lifestyle overall, does not remedy the situation, be sure to talk to a health professional that you trust, to get to the bottom of your problem, and find a solution that works for you.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/the-power-of-our-hormones-and-how-to-balance-them
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9523/9-signs-you-have-a-hormonal-imbalance-easy-ways-to-fix-it.html
