The human body contains approximately 50 different hormones that regulate many of our day-to-day functions, including reproduction, growth, mood, and tissue repair. Like estrogen and cortisol, some hormones are well-known and recognizable names, but many other hormones affect us daily.
Typically, people think of erectile dysfunction or menopause when we speak of hormonal imbalance, and while these are common manifestations of hormonal changes, there are many more.
Hormones are part of the endocrine system, which regulates chemical messages in the human body. Via these hormones, the endocrine system controls a person’s metabolism, reproduction, and growth. Many external factors and lifestyle choices have resulted in more hormonal imbalance than ever before in contemporary society.
For instance, men’s testosterone level was approximately 15% less than 20 years ago, and 10% of women live with reproductive hormone imbalance. While there are many reasons for these changes, experts often point to tap water, personal hygiene products, chronic stress, and sleep deprivation.
Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Men and women typically experience similar symptoms when their hormones are out of balance, although some signs of imbalance are specific to each. Therefore, these symptoms are commonly associated with hormonal imbalance and are more easily identified.
The most common symptoms for men include:
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
- Weight gain and muscle loss
- Decreased bone mass
- Mood changes
- Trouble focusing
- Elevated blood sugar
- High cholesterol
The most common symptoms for women include:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Low sex drive
- Weight gain
- Mood changes
- Discomfort or pain during intercourse
There are also medical conditions that can directly result from imbalanced hormones, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. However, there are also some less common signs of hormonal imbalance that people experience that people may not associate with their hormone levels. Here are five lesser-known symptoms of hormonal imbalance for you to consider.
1. Hair Loss: Every person loses a certain amount of hair every day, which is considered normal. However, excessive hair loss in both men and women might be a symptom of a hormonal imbalance. Men may lose facial and body hair, while women typically lose hair from their scalp. The hormone involved is dihydrotestosterone or DHT, similar to testosterone, and can impact hair growth or loss. DHT can shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Women experience this hair loss most commonly during menopause. DHT imbalance can also cause excess hair to grow, although this is significantly less common.
2. Cold Hands and Feet: An underactive thyroid is typically the culprit when a person experiences cold hands and feet. The thyroid is the human body’s energy storehouse, and an underactive thyroid can adversely impact the body’s ability to create energy. Hypothyroidism, which is evidenced by low thyroid levels, often results in low basal body temperature (BBT), similar to the low body temperature experienced during rest. When the body produces less heat, the person has less energy, a decreased metabolism, slow fat burning capability, and weight gain.
3. Insomnia and Difficulty Sleeping: Difficulty sleeping is both a symptom and cause of hormonal imbalance. Some insomnia is normal, especially in instances of great stress. But frequent sleeplessness that disrupts your ability to function is neither normal nor healthy.
The body requires sleep to have functioning hormones. Sleep is often affected by testosterone and estrogen imbalance, which is more common in women in menopause. Conversely, when hormones are in balance, deeper sleep and more regular sleep patterns are possible.
4. Depression or Anxiety: Hormonal imbalance may also manifest in emotional, psychological, and mental ways. The stress of hormonal changes may make people more susceptible to anxiety and depression. The hormones associated with mental health include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and insulin. Some stress is normal, but it shouldn’t be the norm of your daily life. People with hormonal imbalance may experience anxiety attacks or have trouble getting out of bed.
5. Skin Problems: Hormones are often associated with skin problems, with acne, beginning with the onset of puberty being the most common. Low estrogen or progesterone levels and high androgen levels can result in hormonal acne. On the other end of the hormonal life cycle, women experiencing menopause may have dehydrated skin, wrinkles, low collagen levels, or eczema due to estrogen loss.
What to Do Next?
If you have strange symptoms you cannot identify or suspect that you have a hormonal imbalance, you should talk to a medical professional. While traditional physicians may help, naturopaths may provide valuable insight into hormones, nutrition, and holistic health opportunities. If you experience any of the above symptoms or are experiencing changes in mood, weight, appetite, sleep pattern, or brain fog, it may be time to have your hormone levels tested.
Longevity Wellness Clinic professionals are experts in functional medicine, Chines medicine, and vibrational therapies.