Health & Fitness
What Are Hormonal Imbalances & How Are They Treated?
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Health & Fitness
What Are Hormonal Imbalances & How Are They Treated?
Hormonal imbalance has become a hot topic in the health world—but what does it actually mean?
It’s easy to find influencers promoting diets that claim to balance your hormones and shelves full of supplements promising to optimize hormone function. Let’s break down what hormones are, why people are talking about balancing them, and what you can do to support them.
What are hormones, and what do they do?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by glands in the endocrine system. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to tell organs and tissues what to do. Involved in regulating virtually every process in your body—from mood and metabolism to menstrual cycles, sexual function, sleep, appetite and energy levels—hormones are essential for your overall well-being. There are more than 50 different hormones in the human body, each with its own unique role. Here are a few examples.
Insulin: helps regulate blood sugar levels
Estrogen: plays a significant role in female reproductive health, menstrual cycles and bone density
Progesterone: supports pregnancy and is involved in the menstrual cycle
Cortisol: this "stress hormone" helps control metabolism, immune response and the body's response to stress
Melatonin: regulates sleep-wake cycles
Serotonin: the "happy hormone" stabilizes mood and contributes to feelings of well-being
Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4): regulate metabolism, energy levels and temperature
Testosterone: Influences muscle mass, bone density, mood and male reproductive function
Adrenaline: the "fight-or-flight" hormone, released during stress to increase heart rate and energy
Leptin and Ghrelin: Play important roles in appetite regulation
How do I know if my hormones are out of whack?
Hormonal imbalances could show up with symptoms such as:
- Irregular or absent periods
- Infertility
- Chronic fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Persistent acne
- Hair thinning
- Hair growth on the face or chin
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Mood changes or anxiety
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Low libido, painful intercourse or vaginal dryness
- Digestive concerns like constipation or diarrhea
However, you can’t diagnose a hormone imbalance by symptoms alone—many of these signs are nonspecific and can result from several different causes. Because hormonal imbalances are medical conditions, a proper evaluation by a doctor or endocrinologist—including blood tests, physical examinations, and assessments of medications or supplements— is essential.
Why might hormones become imbalanced?
Hormone levels are constantly fluctuating in response to what’s happening in and around your body, and it’s completely normal and expected for hormone levels to shift across different life stages. Puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause are all periods of significant hormonal change. Typically speaking, these are not cause for concern.
A hormonal “imbalance” is a vague, non-medical term for when there is too much or too little of a certain hormone, which causes body functions to be off. An imbalance could occur when your endocrine glands aren’t secreting hormones properly—for example, in conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), Cushing’s disease, pituitary or adrenal gland disorders, diabetes and insulin resistance.
Lifestyle factors like chronic stress, poor sleep, eating disorders and overly restrictive diets can also disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, as can cysts and tumors, drugs such as birth control, cancer treatments and environmental exposure to chemicals and microplastics.
HOW ARE HORMONAL IMBALANCES TREATED?
Treatment for hormonal imbalances depends on the underlying cause and is highly individualized, so it’s crucial to work with a healthcare professional. In some cases, medications such as anti-androgens are prescribed to counteract excess hormones. Hormonal contraceptives may be used to regulate sex hormones and stabilize menstrual cycles, while hormone replacement therapy can help restore low levels of hormones like estrogen or thyroid hormones. For symptoms such as vaginal dryness, topical treatments like vaginal estrogen can provide relief.
how to support hormonal health
In addition to good nutrition, several lifestyle factors play an important role in maintaining a healthy endocrine system.
1. MANAGE STRESS
Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance. Incorporating stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, exercise or therapy, can help stabilize hormone levels.
2. PRIORITIZE SLEEP
Adequate rest—seven to nine hours per night—is essential for proper hormonal regulation.
3. MOVE YOUR BODY
Regular, gentle movement—whether it’s walking, strength training or dancing in your kitchen—supports overall well-being and can help regulate hormone levels.
4. AVOID ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCS)
Substances found in some plastics, personal care products, pesticides and household cleaners can interfere with the body’s natural hormone production or signaling. Reducing exposure to EDCs by avoiding plastic food storage containers and choosing fragrance-free or natural products may be one way to support longterm hormonal health.
Hormonal health is complex, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hormone imbalance, working with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help you find supportive, evidence-based strategies that work for your body.
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