Learn more about hormonal imbalances in women and how they cause issues like infertility, weight gain or loss, low energy, and unpredictable moods swings.
March 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.
Hormones are the body’s messengers. They are produced, stored, and released into the circulatory system from the endocrine glands and then transported to the organs, muscles, skin, and tissues. Growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, and mood depend on healthy hormone levels.
Some fluctuation in hormone levels is normal and healthy. For example, the release of cortisol during a life-threatening situation helps us to choose fight or flight quickly. Changes in estrogen levels, progesterone, and testosterone produce a woman's menstrual cycle. Thyroid hormones change based on the amount and type of food we eat.
But because hormones control many of the body's major functions, a hormonal imbalance can cause various issues in the body.
5 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Women
Hormonal imbalances in women can result in infertility, weight gain or loss, low energy, and unpredictable moods swings that severely affect their quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about these signs of hormonal imbalance and learn to recognize them in your body.
1. You’re Hungry All the Time
Do you ever get ravenously hungry only a few hours after eating? Or have you experienced that uncomfortable hunger-anger combination if you do not eat regular meals?
Appetite is one of the functions controlled by hormones, and your "hanger" could result from a hormonal imbalance. For example, ghrelin and leptin are two major "hunger" hormones that regulate appetite. Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and is released into the bloodstream when your body requires fuel. Leptin is made in fat cells and is released when your body has enough fuel to function.
In other words, ghrelin revs up your appetite, and leptin suppresses it. Hormonal imbalances to your hunger hormones might result from a lack of sleep, increased levels of stress and anxiety, or a diet high in fats. So if you notice an increase in your appetite (followed by weight gain), your hunger hormones may be out of balance.
Appetite is one of the functions controlled by hormones, and your "hanger" could result from a hormonal imbalance. For example, ghrelin and leptin are two major "hunger" hormones that regulate appetite. Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and is released into the bloodstream when your body requires fuel. Leptin is made in fat cells and is released when your body has enough fuel to function.
In other words, ghrelin revs up your appetite, and leptin suppresses it. Hormonal imbalances to your hunger hormones might result from a lack of sleep, increased levels of stress and anxiety, or a diet high in fats. So if you notice an increase in your appetite (followed by weight gain), your hunger hormones may be out of balance.
2. You’re Gaining or Losing Weight but Don’t Know Why
Did you recently gain a significant amount of weight without any changes to your diet or exercise routine? Or maybe you lost a lot of weight quickly and have no idea why?
Weight loss and weight gain are both common indicators that your hormones are imbalanced. This is because many hormones play a role in regulating our weight, including the hunger hormones mentioned above. However, if you are losing or gaining weight unexpectedly, you want to get your thyroid checked.
The thyroid controls the body's metabolism, a process that converts the food you eat into energy. A hyperactive thyroid produces excess amounts of thyroid hormones which revs up your metabolism and causes you to lose a lot of weight fast. A hypoactive thyroid does not have enough thyroid hormones, and the metabolism slows down as a result. People with a hypoactive thyroid usually gain weight quickly and hold onto it even while exercising regularly and eating healthy.
Thyroid imbalances are caused by iodine deficiencies, autoimmune diseases including Graves disease (hyperactive) and Hashimoto's disease (hypoactive), chronic inflammation, cancer, and certain medications. Therefore, your doctor will need to order blood tests to determine if your thyroid is the reason behind your weight loss or gain.
3. You’re Exhausted
Do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning, or that your energy levels drop dramatically in the early afternoon? Are you a caffeine addict that relies on your daily dose to get you up and moving?
Chronic fatigue is another indication that all is not right with your hormones. One of the causes of fatigue is an underactive thyroid. Another is too little progesterone.
The mitochondria are the body's powerhouses, responsible for producing the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule that we use for energy. Unfortunately, imbalanced hormones cause interference in the signals sent to the mitochondria. As a result, they do not make enough ATP for us to function. Then we spend the day feeling run down, exhausted, and contemplating the benefits of a caffeine IV.
Hormonal imbalances can also disrupt your sleep. For example, the stress hormone cortisol might be elevated due to chronic stress or adrenal fatigue. This makes it more difficult for you to fall and stay asleep, which results in fatigue.
4. Your Menstrual Cycle Is Irregular
Does your period last longer than a week? Is your flow always heavy? Are you experiencing intense cramps, PMS, or mood swings? A hormonal imbalance might be behind it all.
The regularity and health of a woman's menstrual cycle is a clear indication of overall hormonal balance. A woman's fertility is primarily governed by estrogen and progesterone. Still, a small amount of testosterone is also necessary for a healthy reproductive system.
The regularity and health of a woman's menstrual cycle is a clear indication of overall hormonal balance. A woman's fertility is primarily governed by estrogen and progesterone. Still, a small amount of testosterone is also necessary for a healthy reproductive system.
Mostly, our sex hormones are thrown off when our body is in a fight or flight state. A poorly functioning metabolism, insufficient calories, and excessive stress send regular signals that we might not be able to carry a baby to term. Therefore, one unpleasant side effect of a sex hormone imbalance is infertility.
A few common causes of sex hormone imbalances are thyroid problems, eating disorders, too much exercise, and stress.
5. You Have Unpredictable Mood Swings
Are dramatic mood swings a regular feature of your cycle? Do you often find yourself irritated or angry without knowing the reason?
For women, estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating mood. Fluctuations in estrogen are normal during menstruation. Estrogen spikes mid-cycle to trigger the release of an egg, then fall directly afterward. Estrogen also controls serotonin levels, the production of endorphins, and protects us from nerve damage.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and postpartum depression are all mood disruptions caused by imbalanced estrogen levels. In addition, anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety before and during menstruation may be common. Still, they may also indicate a hormonal imbalance.
For women, estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating mood. Fluctuations in estrogen are normal during menstruation. Estrogen spikes mid-cycle to trigger the release of an egg, then fall directly afterward. Estrogen also controls serotonin levels, the production of endorphins, and protects us from nerve damage.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and postpartum depression are all mood disruptions caused by imbalanced estrogen levels. In addition, anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety before and during menstruation may be common. Still, they may also indicate a hormonal imbalance.
Healing a Hormonal Imbalance
These five signs of hormonal imbalance are helpful ways to assess whether your problems with appetite, weight, mood, energy, menstruation, and fertility have hormones as the cause. Some simple ways to bring your hormones back into balance include eating a low sugar/whole food diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
Be sure to consult with your doctor about your symptoms and ask about their recommended hormone tests if you think imbalanced hormones might be a problem for you!
And if you’re dealing with symptoms of hormonal imbalance, support your wellness journey using a Kailo pain patch for any chronic pain issues that may interfere with your sleep or life. Our recent clinical study showed a significant increase in sleep quality with a Kailo patch.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
Be sure to consult with your doctor about your symptoms and ask about their recommended hormone tests if you think imbalanced hormones might be a problem for you!
And if you’re dealing with symptoms of hormonal imbalance, support your wellness journey using a Kailo pain patch for any chronic pain issues that may interfere with your sleep or life. Our recent clinical study showed a significant increase in sleep quality with a Kailo patch.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
