5 Telltale Signs of a Hormone Imbalance

Have you ever felt like something just isn’t right with your body, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? You might be experiencing a hormone imbalance.

Hormones are your body's secret messengers, working around the clock to regulate everything from your appetite to your mood. When they're in harmony, you feel great. But when they're not, the effects can be confusing and concerning.

Hormone replacement therapy can effectively resolve these discomforts. At Ageless Restoration in Norman, Oklahoma,  our practitioners, Gordon Hart, PA-C, and Brian A. Yeaman, MD, are here to help. They understand the importance of tailoring treatment to your specific  needs and hormonal requirements.

Understanding hormones and their role

Hormones are chemical substances that your body's endocrine glands produce. They travel through your bloodstream, influencing many different processes like growth, metabolism, and fertility. 

When your hormones are balanced, your body functions like a well-oiled machine. But when out of sync, they lead to various symptoms that may affect your quality of life.

Unexplained weight changes

One of the most common signs of a hormone imbalance is a sudden change in weight. You might find yourself gaining or losing pounds without any significant changes in your diet or exercise routine. This can be due to insulin, cortisol, or thyroid hormones. 

Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by enabling cells to take in glucose for energy or storage. Your body stores excess glucose as fat when insulin levels are high, potentially leading to weight gain. 

Insulin resistance, a condition where cells become less responsive to insulin, can also result in weight gain as your body produces more insulin to compensate.

Cortisol helps regulate metabolism and manage stress. When you're under constant stress, your body's cortisol levels stay elevated, increasing appetite. High cortisol levels can also influence where fat is stored, often promoting abdominal fat.

Chronic fatigue

Are you feeling perpetually tired, even after a full night's sleep? Chronic fatigue is another hallmark of hormone imbalance, particularly related to the thyroid or adrenal glands. If you always feel drained, it might be more than just lack of sleep. It might be time for a hormone checkup.

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that control your body's metabolism, which affects your energy levels. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, means your body isn't producing enough thyroid hormones, leading to a slower metabolism. This can cause depression, fatigue, and weight gain. 

Mood swings and depression

Hormones play a key role in regulating your mood. Unexplained mood swings, bouts of depression, or increased anxiety could be due to imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, or serotonin.

Estrogen influences the production and function of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps you feel happy. A decrease in estrogen levels can result in a reduction of serotonin, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Progesterone has calming and sedative effects, and it promotes sleep. Low levels of progesterone (common during perimenopause and menopause or with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome) can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and cognitive functions, including memory and learning. An imbalance in serotonin levels is often linked to depression.

Insomnia and sleep issues

If you’re struggling to catch some z's, you might have a hormone imbalance.

Melatonin helps regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle. It signals to your body when it's time to sleep based on your exposure to environmental light. Imbalances in melatonin production can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Cortisol follows a daily rhythm separate from the sleep-wake cycle, usually peaking in the morning and declining throughout the day. Stress can disrupt this balance, leading to elevated evening cortisol levels that can interfere with sleep.

Skin and hair problems

Your skin and hair can also signal a hormone imbalance. Acne, dry skin, thinning hair, or sudden hair growth can all be signs of imbalances in estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid hormones.

Hormones such as androgens can stimulate the production of sebum. This can clog pores and lead to acne. This is why acne is common during puberty when hormone levels are fluctuating. 

Hormonal imbalances, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels, can lead to dry skin. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining your skin's moisture barrier, so when levels drop, your skin can become dry and itchy.

Estrogen and testosterone play roles in hair growth. An imbalance in these hormones can lead to hair thinning or loss.

Have you experienced any of these signs?

At Ageless Restoration in Norman, Oklahoma, our dedicated experts can help. They’ll schedule multiple follow-up visits to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your hormone replacement therapy plan. 

Take the first step toward balance and request an appointment online today or give us a call.