Think of hormones like little messengers — they carry notes to your cells telling your body how to behave and function. So when your body is producing too many or too few hormones, it can have trouble knowing exactly what to do next. This is a hormone imbalance.
Hormone imbalances can cause a myriad of symptoms, but sometimes those symptoms are hard to pinpoint to a single cause. That’s because while hormones impact our bodies greatly, doctors and researchers still have a lot to learn about how they affect us. Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance:
1. Irregular periods
WebMD explains that most women have their periods every 21 to 35 days. So if you notice that your periods start becoming irregular from their normal schedule, it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance like too much or too like estrogen or progesterone.
If you notice these changes with your menstrual cycle, talk to your doctor. They could also be a sign of other health problems, like polycystic ovarian syndrome, or premenopause.
2. Trouble sleeping
If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, it could be due to a hormone imbalance. WebMD explains that progesterone helps you get a good nights rest. And, low estrogen — like when you go into menopause — hot flashes and night sweats which make it hard to catch zzz’s.
3. Weight gain
Now, this can be a hard one to evaluate because weight gain can be caused by a myriad of factors. But, estrogen dips have been known to cause weight gain, and experts think it’s because the decrease in hormones makes you feel down or irritated — prompting people to eat. WebMD explains that an estrogen drop can also affect the hormone leptin which regulates your body’s food intake.
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