What if hormones are out of whack

You can also do practical things to improve your sleep such as wear cotton night-clothes, sleep between cotton sheets, keep your bedroom cool and as dark as possible, take up exercise and reduce alcohol and caffeine intake. Unexplained weight gain: A number of hormone-related conditions can cause weight gain including an underactive thyroid when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones which regulate metabolism , polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS a hormone-related problem causing small cysts on the ovaries and the menopause which results in hormonal changes that can make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen.

If you are going through the menopause, you may wish to discuss the benefits of HRT with your doctor. Some women believe HRT causes weight gain but there is no evidence to support this. Skin problems: Chronic adult acne can be a sign of low levels of estrogen and progesterone and high levels of androgen hormones and can also indicate polycystic ovary syndrome.

Similarly, hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or the menopause can cause itchy skin while dry skin is a symptom of the menopause or thyroid problems. Early menopause and other hormone-related conditions such as PCOS will affect your fertility.

Headaches: Many women suffer headaches due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. What to do: Keeping a symptom diary will help you, and your doctor, identify the triggers of your headaches.

Eating small, frequent snacks and keeping to a regular sleep pattern can help. If you have regular attacks, your doctor may prescribe anti-migraine medicines or taking the contraceptive pill or HRT may help.

Weak bones: Falling levels of estrogen during the perimenopause and menopause can cause bone loss. What to do: Often women do not realise they have brittle bones until they suffer a fracture which is why it is important to adopt lifestyle changes to improve your bone health as you reach middle age and beyond. Weight-bearing exercise, such as running, tennis or dancing, a healthy diet including sources of calcium and vitamin D, and taking HRT to deal with menopause symptoms can all be beneficial.

Vaginal dryness: Vaginal dryness is most often caused by a fall in estrogen levels, especially during the perimenopause and menopause. Taking the contraceptive pill or antidepressants can also change hormone levels, resulting in the problem. What to do: Practical steps can include washing with unperfumed soaps and using water-based lubricants. If your symptoms are due to the menopause, then HRT will help by increasing levels of estrogen.

If you notice your gums continue to bleed after you're done brushing, talk to your doctor, says Ashlesha Dayal, MD, a high-risk ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center. Your feet are bigger. You can blame the increased progesterone of pregnancy again, since it helps loosen up your ligaments including those in your feet in preparation for delivery, says Dayal.

Worth noting: There's no research definitively indicating that this is why many women claim to go up a shoe size when they're knocked up, Dayal notes. You have a metallic taste in your mouth. Thank another hormone that's boosted by pregnancy: HcG or human chorionic gonadotropin , which the embryo starts producing after implantation. Higher levels of HcG cause nausea and vomiting—which can change your sense of taste and lead to that notorious metallic sensation in your mouth, says Dayal.

To calm nausea, she suggests opting for homeopathic cures, like ginger you can boil the root to make tea. Lemon water , she says, can also help get rid of that metallic taste.

You notice dark spots. Dark patches of skin known as melasma on your cheeks, breasts , and elsewhere are a side effect of the increased estrogen in your body when you're expecting, says Dayal. Estrogen ups your levels of the skin pigment melanin. What's important, stresses Figaro, is to know your body. That way your doctor can identify if there's an issue and order any necessary tests.

This article was originally published by our partners at WomensHealthMag. Weight Loss. Type keyword s to search.

Today's Top Stories. Ab Exercises for a Stronger Core. Thyroid Disease If you notice you're suddenly constipated or you're pooping all the time, it could be related to either hypothyroidism not enough thyroid hormones or hyperthyroidism too much.

Natural supplements commonly used for the reduction of symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances include:. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the likelihood and symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:. Nearly everyone experiences at least one or two periods of hormonal imbalance during their lifetime. Hormonal imbalances are more common during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy.

But some people experience continual, irregular hormonal imbalances. Many hormonal imbalances are caused by external factors, such as stress or hormone medications. However, hormonal imbalances can also be caused by any medical condition that impacts or involves the endocrine system or glands.

A person should speak to a doctor about long-term unexplained symptoms, especially those that cause pain, discomfort, or interfere with everyday activities. The natural supplements listed in this article are available in most grocery or health food stores and online:.

Do gluten-free or low-GI diets help? Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally in the body to cope with pain or stress. Learn about how they affect mood disorders and other conditions. Low estrogen levels can cause a range of symptoms. This article includes detail on signs of low estrogen and examines the risk factors.

Can yoga be beneficial for people with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism? We look at the evidence and list the best yoga poses for thyroid health. Addison's disease, also called chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, affects the adrenal glands. Learn about the possible causes of this…. What to know about hormonal imbalances. Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, P. Symptoms Causes Hormonal imbalances in women Hormonal imbalances in men Treatment Natural remedies Outlook We include products we think are useful for our readers.