Hormones are what keep our bodies functioning healthy. Which is why even the smallest tip in the balance can cause severe side effects.
As we grow older, we seem to be diagnosed with some health condition or the other. From breast cancer to osteoarthritis, there seems to be no end in sight. However, for some women, even without having one condition that seems to plague our gender, they find themselves struggling with issues that throws their body for a toss. Well, if you’re one of those women, you might be suffering from hormonal imbalance.
Why do hormones have such an effect?
Each hormone in our body has an important role to play in keeping our organs and bodily functions running smoothly. Healthline mentions that all those hormones control your metabolism, appetite, heart rate, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles and sexual function, general growth and development, mood and stress levels and body temperature, to name a few.
A harmonious balance of those hormones will ensure that you stay healthy. However, because of how essential they are to even the smallest parts in our body, any imbalance can cause severe side effects.
You will notice these signs when your body’s hormones are imbalanced:
1. Noticeable and constant weight gain
While you might be working on your lifestyle or physical activity in order to reduce or maintain a healthy weight, hormones play a role too. No matter how old you are, an underlying hormonal imbalance can cause you to gain weight without much effort. Issues with your endocrine system, thyroid or digestive system could cause that imbalance. Even stress can do the same due to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, says Parsley Health.
2. Low sex drive
Imbalance in the production of estrogen and testosterone, the reproductive hormones, could cause you to have a low libido, states Flo Health
Progesterone is the hormone responsible for relaxing the body and aiding your circadian rhythm for better sleep. But when levels of the hormones drop, you could start to feel restless at night which could cause poor quality sleep, says On Health.
4. Forgetfulness
If you find yourself forgetting things often lately especially with small things like where you left the house keys or whether you switched off a light, it’s a sign of imbalance. Cortisol increases when you’re stressed and this can hinder your memory and learning ability.
5. Persistent acne
This is a problem that is common among women across all ages especially when their menstrual cycle is approaching. However, having constant breakouts and acne could be caused by testosterone imbalances. When it is high, there is an excess of oil released. This can get trapped under the skin and merge with bacteria or dead skin cells. As a result, the clogged pores lead to acne.