How To Fix Hormonal Imbalance

Knowing how to fix hormonal imbalance can help prevent chronic issues and serious complications that this disorder can cause. Read on to learn about the strategies you can do to restore your hormones into a healthy balance.

RELATED: Do Hormones Stop Us From Losing Fat? | Real Talk Friday [PODCAST]

Understanding and Managing Hormonal Imbalance | How to Fix Hormonal Imbalance

Click here to jump to the infographic

What Is a Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormones have essential roles in your body. They ensure that your body processes are running smoothly. They regulate the functions of your organs, send chemical signals, and relay important messages throughout your body.

Your heart rate, mood, sleep pattern, hunger, thirst, reproduction, and metabolism are all controlled by your hormones.

However, your body can sometimes produce either too much or too little hormones, a condition called hormonal imbalance.

Your hormone levels change at various life stages, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. But at times, even the smallest imbalances can affect your overall health.

What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?

There are several causes why your hormones fluctuate. And these causes vary depending on which organ or hormone is affected.

Common causes of hormonal imbalance are:

• Cancer treatments, like radiation therapy and chemotherapy
• Poor diet and eating disorders
• Hormone therapy
• Abnormal growths in your pituitary gland
• Drugs and medications
• Traumatic injury
• Benign or malignant tumors
• Stress

There are also medical conditions that can lead to hormonal imbalances, such as:

• Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism
• Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism
• Types 1 and 2 diabetes

What Are Hormonal Imbalance Signs?

When your hormones are out of sync, the signs and symptoms you'll feel can extremely vary.

Men and Women Hormonal Imbalance Signs and Symptoms

Both sexes may experience the following:

• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Joint and muscle pain and weakness
• Unusual sensitivity to cold and heat
• Excessive thirst
• Anxiety and depression
• Infertility
• Swollen, puffy face
• Fatigue
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Loss of libido
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Change in heartbeat
• Purple stretch marks
• Increased appetite
• Dry skin

Men Hormonal Imbalance Signs and Symptoms

Testosterone is a hormone that plays a vital role in male development. When its production drops, you may feel the following symptoms:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Osteoporosis
• Gynecomastia or enlargement of breast tissue
• Muscle atrophy or loss of muscle tissue
• Reduced facial and body hair growth
• Concentration difficulty

Women Hormonal Imbalance Signs and Symptoms

Meanwhile, the signs and symptoms that are specific to females are:

• Acne
• Vaginal dryness and painful sex
• Abnormal menstruation
• Discolored skin patches under the breasts, along neck lines, and in the groin area
• Night sweats
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Hirsutism or excessive growth of hair

How Do You Fix Hormonal Imbalance?

Thankfully, hormonal imbalances are reversible. And the treatment depends on the root cause.

Here are some of the strategies–from supplements to therapy, and to dietary and lifestyle changes.

RELATED: How to Test Testosterone Levels at Home | 5 Best At Home Testosterone Test

How to Fix Hormonal Imbalance | Medications and Therapies

1. Metformin

Metformin is a drug that can prevent type 2 diabetes. But it can also boost fertility and treat PCOS symptoms.

PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder that affects how ovaries function.

2. Addyi and Vyleesi

Addyi, an oral drug, and Vyleesi, an auto-injector pen, can treat low libido in premenopausal women.

However, keep in mind that these medications may come with side effects, like fluctuating blood pressure and nausea. Talk to a healthcare professional first if these are suitable for you.

3. Eflornithine

If you have unwanted hair on your face, you may use eflornithine. It's a cream that can slow down hirsutism or excessive hair growth.

4. Antiandrogen

Androgen is a group of hormones that's present in males and females. If you wish to block the effects of these hormones, such as acne, hair loss, and facial growth, you may take anti-androgen drugs.

5. Hormonal Birth Control

To help fix your infrequent and irregular periods, you may take hormonal contraceptives. These are available in different types, including:

• Birth control shot
• Birth control pills
• Intrauterine device or IUD
• Birth control patch
• Vaginal ring

What's more, these hormonal methods can also decrease facial and body hair, and help improve acne-prone skin.

6. Estrogen Therapy

During the menopausal stage, you'll experience uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes. For this reason, your doctor might prescribe a low-dose estrogen therapy.

On the other hand, if you have vaginal dryness, it can be painful for you to have sex. Try using estrogen creams or rings. You may also apply moisturizers or lubes that don't contain petroleum, parabens, and glycerin.

7. Testosterone Therapy

If you have low testosterone, taking testosterone supplements can lessen its symptoms. Meanwhile, for adolescents experiencing delayed puberty, these supplements can help their body hit puberty faster.

There are also testosterone products available as gels, injections, and patches.

How to Fix Hormonal Imbalance | Dietary Changes

8. Eat Foods Rich in Fiber

Fiber can help regulate insulin balance in your body. In fact, a study shows that fiber can also balance your other hormones, which can help you reach a healthy weight.

9. Drink Green Tea

Green tea is known to be a healthy drink, as it contains antioxidants that can improve your metabolism. The compounds in green tea may also help reduce and prevent oxidative stress.

10. Cut Out Sugar

According to a study, too much sugar consumption is linked with insulin resistance and metabolic disorder. This means that cutting back on sugar may help keep your hormone levels under control.

Reduce your intake of refined carbs and processed sugars, such as:

• Chocolates
• Alcohol, specifically mixed drinks
• Pastries
• Candies
• Soda
• Cakes

11. Consume Fatty Fish

A study reveals that eating fatty fish may help treat and prevent various types of mood disorders, including anxiety and major depressive disorder.

This is because oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that may serve as an effective therapy to treat mood swings.

12. Be Wary of Dairy

Dairy may be nutritious. But if you're worried about your reproductive hormone levels, you may want to be careful with yogurt and cream.

Based on a study, dairy consumption can decrease your progesterone levels and can make you miss your ovulation.

13. Take Probiotics

Probiotics are now being considered as a treatment for anxiety and depression. This is because a study shows that probiotics can reduce the impact of stressors on your central stress response system.

Additionally, taking a probiotic supplement can restore estrobolome, a collection of bacteria that metabolizes your estrogen. This can reverse estrogen-related imbalances.

How to Fix Hormonal Imbalance | Lifestyle Changes

14. Get Better Sleep

The quality of your sleep may be one of the most important factors that can affect your hormones. Inadequate sleep can throw your hormones off balance.

So, try to get an undisturbed 8-hour sleep every night. This can boost your metabolism and help in cell growth and regeneration.

One way to sleep better is by reducing light at night, particularly the blue light from your electronic devices. This light messes with your circadian rhythm or your body's internal clock.

15. Exercise

If you feel like you've been overeating, try to enhance your physical fitness.

A study reveals that even mini-workouts can fix the hormones that regulate your appetite. Regular physical activity can also reduce your risk of developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

In addition, being active may lead to weight loss. And for women, even a 10% drop in your body weight can already regulate your period and increase your chance of getting pregnant.

16. Manage Stress

Based on a study, there's a strong connection between stress and hormone levels.

Stress can increase your cortisol and adrenaline levels. This can affect the overall balance in your body and can contribute to mood swings and weight gain.

Here are some things you can do to lessen your stress:

• Listen to music
• Do yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises
• Spend time outdoors

17. Cut Back on Alcohol

Here's an infographic guide that you can use. Feel free to download, save and share it with your loved ones:

 

Moderate drinking may have its benefits. However, it's possible that alcohol intake can also cause hormonal imbalances in young men.

So, if you have trouble with your testosterone levels and sperm quality, cutting back on drinking maybe your best option.

Check out this video by HUM Nutrition to learn how to fix hormonal imbalance with supplements:

If you're not feeling your best self, your hormones may be to blame.

Hormones regulate and impact your body's chief functions, such as menstrual cycle and metabolism.

It's normal for your hormone levels to change throughout your lifetime. However, even the slightest imbalance can cause serious consequences.

Knowing how to fix hormonal imbalance can help prevent the adverse effects of this disorder.

For some, making small changes to their diet and lifestyle can already put their hormone levels back in place. But if your condition worsens, it's crucial that you consult your doctor so you can receive appropriate treatment immediately.

In what other ways can you balance your hormones? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!

Up Next: 

• How to Know If You Have Estrogen Dominance and What To Do About It
• Key Health Benefits of Diindolylmethane – Estrogen Detoxification
• Testicular Cancer Survivor, Matt Ode, Shares His Story of Hope, Purpose, and “Winning the Day” [PODCAST]

If you’ve got the gift of keeping healthy and sharing this knowledge through writing, click here if you want to write for us.

Please stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, and make sure to join our community of healthy living and minded people here.