6 Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance In Women

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You can think of hormones as chemical messengers that can influence almost all the day-to-day activities. Many people believe that hormones being out of control is one of the biggest reasons for mood swings and acne breakouts. But, an imbalance in hormones is much deeper than a teenager’s tantrums or a soon-to-be mother’s sensitivity. And, here we bring you some of the signs, which indicate an imbalance in hormones:

In This Article

1. Putting On Weight

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Of course, an unhealthy eating routine is one of the biggest reasons for putting on weight. But, if you have been gaining weight persistently, it may also be a sign of hormonal imbalance. There are different types of such imbalances. Firstly, some women add on a few extra pounds when hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are imbalanced. Secondly, menopausal women may gain around one to two kilogram, and at times, even more (1). And, thirdly, insulin resistance, in which the response of body cells to the hormone insulin stops, may result in weight gain too. And, this is clearly visible in women who are postmenopausal (2).

2. Low Lovemaking Drive

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A reduced lovemaking drive is another symptom that is commonly associated with hormonal imbalance. This can happen due to a drop in the levels of estrogen or a premature failure of the ovary (somewhere around the age of 40). Sometimes, this may take place also because of a slight drop in the levels of testosterone, something that women generally produce naturally (3).

3. Lethargy Or Fatigue

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Do you feel tired way too often? This might be because of an imbalance of some hormones. For example, if there is a drop in your estrogen levels, you may have headaches. Also, a change in progesterone levels may result in fatigue, which in turn, might affect your sleeping habits. And, if thyroid hormones are not adequately produced, the energy levels may go down, making you feel all weak or tired. Unclear or fuzzy thinking is another indication of hormonal imbalance. Other symptoms include sleep deprivation, stress, or an unhealthy diet (4).

4. Depression Or Stress

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Hormonal imbalance can affect your mood as well, resulting in irritability, anxiety, and depression, among other mood disorders. There are particular phases in a woman’s life that sees a huge variation in the hormonal levels such as pregnancy, puberty, or menopause (5). For instance, estrogen influences the production of serotonin, which is responsible for positive moods like happiness, etc. That is why many women end up experiencing negative emotions like irritation or anxiety in their premenopausal phase due to a reduced level of estrogen (6).

5. Poor Sleeping Routine

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Do you feel like you are not getting adequate sleep? If yes, then it might be the hormones at fault. During menopause, the reduced estrogen and progesterone production by the body causes insomnia in many women (7). Also, if you are under a lot of stress, the body starts producing even more cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Unfortunately, the overproduction of these hormones for a long time can disrupt the regular sleeping patterns (8).

6. Too Much Sweating

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If you find yourself sweating way too much, then it may be an indication of hormonal imbalance. This takes place because of a metabolic imbalance caused by the excessive production of thyroid hormones. It is the increase in the internal body temperature that results in excessive sweating. Also, the drastic drop in estrogen levels during menopause can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats (9).

Dealing with a hormonal imbalance is not all that easy. So, keep looking out for these symptoms. And, if you ever think you are in a situation like this, do consult your doctor. The doc will surely be able to help you out, providing you with all the necessary treatment to get better. Don’t you worry, ladies. All the best!

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