Wondering if your hormones are out of balance? Here’s a guide to the 6 signs your hormones might be imbalanced. (And natural ways to fix it)
Imagine waking up feeling more tired than the night before, despite getting a full night’s sleep. You’re sticking to your routine, but the scale is creeping up, and mood swings are out of control. If these symptoms sound familiar, you might be dealing with a hormonal imbalance.
In this article, we’ll explore six signs of hormonal imbalance that women over 40 often experience and outline natural steps to help you regain control and restore balance.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #1: Unexplained Weight Gain
What It Means: If you’re noticing weight creeping up despite sticking to your regular diet and exercise routine, fluctuating hormones could be the cause. Hormones like insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone play critical roles in how your body stores and uses fat. When these hormones are out of balance, weight gain, particularly around the midsection, becomes a common issue.
What You Can Do: Understanding that weight gain might be hormone-related is the first step. Incorporating more whole foods, particularly omega-3-rich foods like salmon, flax seeds, and chia seeds, helps regulate hormones involved in fat storage and metabolism.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #2: Persistent Fatigue and Low Energy Levels
What It Means: Do you find yourself tired even after a full night’s sleep? Hormonal imbalances involving cortisol and thyroid hormones can make it hard to maintain energy and motivation, leaving you exhausted throughout the day.
What You Can Do: Prioritize sleep quality and add cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower to your diet. These vegetables aid in estrogen detoxification, which can support energy levels. If you’re not getting enough omega-3s, try Beverly International’s EFA Gold for daily support.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #3: Mood Swings & Irritability
What It Means: Hormones influence not just our physical health but also our emotional well-being. Mood swings, increased irritability, and even feelings of anxiety or depression can stem from imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol.
What You Can Do: Start incorporating practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques. Reducing stress through these practices can help balance cortisol and improve emotional stability.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #4: Sleep Disturbances
What It Means: Quality sleep is crucial for overall health, yet hormonal imbalances often make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested in the morning. Night sweats, frequent waking, or feeling generally unrested can all be signs of imbalances in melatonin, estrogen, and progesterone.
What You Can Do: Set up a relaxing bedtime routine and limit exposure to blue light before bed. Also, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and consuming fiber-rich foods like beans, lentils, and oats can help regulate insulin, promoting better sleep quality.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #5: Changes In Your Menstrual Cycle
What It Means: In your 40s, your menstrual cycle may begin to change, signaling the approach of perimenopause. Significant shifts like irregular periods or noticeably heavier or lighter flows may indicate a hormonal imbalance, especially with estrogen and progesterone.
What You Can Do: If you’re noticing these changes, it’s time to reach out to your healthcare provider for hormone testing and guidance. Tracking your cycle can also provide valuable insights into your hormone health and help you identify any significant deviations.
Hormonal Imbalance Sign #6: Hair Loss & Thinning
What It Means: If you’re noticing thinning hair, increased shedding, or even bald spots, hormonal imbalances may be at play. Estrogen and progesterone typically keep hair in its growth phase, but as these hormones drop, hair becomes more fragile.
What You Can Do: Including healthy fats and protein-rich foods in your diet supports hair health. Additionally, reducing processed foods and sugar helps maintain blood sugar levels, which can prevent hormonal disruptions that lead to hair loss.
The Bottom Line
Taking Back Control of Your Hormone Health
Recognizing these signs is the first step toward addressing hormonal imbalances. Here are natural steps you can take today to support hormone balance:
- Incorporate More Whole Foods: Choose minimally processed foods rich in essential nutrients to support hormone production and regulation.
- Add Omega-3s: Include foods like salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds or consider a supplement like Beverly International’s EFA Gold for anti-inflammatory support.
- Focus on Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower help detox excess estrogen, promoting hormonal balance.
- Cut Back on Processed Foods and Sugars: Added sugars and processed foods disrupt insulin and other hormones, so reducing them can significantly impact how you feel.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which disrupts insulin, thyroid hormones, and more. Practice stress-relieving activities like exercise, yoga, or meditation to lower cortisol naturally.
- Be Your Own Advocate
You don’t have to live with the frustration of hormonal imbalance symptoms. By recognizing the signs and making small, sustainable changes, you can start feeling better and get back to a healthier, more balanced self. Consider reaching out to a healthcare provider for testing to confirm any imbalances, and remember—small steps make a big difference in hormone health!
Take control of your hormone health and start feeling your best!
Scientific Research Appendix
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