Episode 6 of 21: Maintaining focus while embracing chaos

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers that help regulate many bodily processes and influence fat storage, energy levels, sex drive, brain health and a host of other vital functions. They are produced in the endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream to tell the body’s muscles, organs, and tissues what to do and when to do it. Hormones tell your body whether you are sleepy, stressed, or hungry. It also tells you when you need to calm down, when you need to sleep and when to stop eating.

There are many hormones that regulate our bodily functions such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, leptin, cortisol, melatonin, etc. Sex hormones control many processes in the body such as menopause, hair growth, pregnancy, puberty, hair complexion, and skin complexion.

Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too little or too much of a hormone in the bloodstream. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, certain medications, and medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders.

Additionally, hormonal changes that occur naturally during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can also cause imbalances. Because hormones play such a vital role in the body, even minute hormonal imbalances can lead to a range of symptoms that can affect a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Your body will tell you when your hormones are out of balance. You may experience any combination of symptoms depending on what’s being produced and what isn’t.

Potential signs of hormonal imbalance include but is not limited to:

• Sudden weight change
• Irregular periods
• Insomnia and lack of quality sleep
• Increased thirst
• Chronic acne
• Brain fog
• Persistent fatigue
• Headaches
• Hair loss
• Loss of libido

Other symptoms of hormone imbalance include anxiety, mood swings, and depression, digestive problems (gas, bloating), hunger cravings and night sweats. Not getting your hormones back in balance could lead to other problems, like elevated cholesterol, osteoporosis, obesity, and more.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your general medical practitioner for proper diagnosis and treatment of hormone imbalances.

They can perform hormone level tests and recommend treatments such as hormone replacement therapy or lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms and improve quality of life.

Sources and references consulted:
Everly Well: www.everlywell.com/blog/womens-health/hormones-and-anxiety/
Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/headaches-and-women-what-do-hormones-have-to-do-with-it
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22673-hormonal-imbalance
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/women/ss/slideshow-hormone-imbalance