There are many ways to take care of your health to make you feel better – from doing simple exercises and eating balanced meals to making lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep. Even the smallest things in your self-care routine can help boost your overall health, such as going outside for a walk, drinking lots of water, and meditating. However, there are some health conditions caused by factors that might be harder to control, such as hormonal imbalances in your body.
Different hormones in your body serve various functions, such as regulating metabolism, reproductive cycles, and growth. Having even the slightest changes in your hormone levels can impact your well-being. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to care for your health when such instances occur. Here’s what you need to know about hormonal imbalance and how you can mitigate its health effects:
What are hormonal imbalances?
Simply put, a hormonal imbalance happens when there are too few or too many hormones in your body. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that deliver signals to your tissues and organs, telling them what to do. Various types of hormones serve specific functions, such as somatotropin for growth, insulin for lowering glucose levels, and melatonin to promote sleep. When hormone concentrations are changed, you may experience symptoms such as weight gain, acne, mood swings, and insomnia, depending on what specific hormone is affected. Certain conditions like type 1 diabetes – which occurs when the cells that make insulin are destroyed – chronic stress, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and puberty are some causes of hormonal imbalance.
Here’s how you can address hormonal imbalance’s health effects:
4 Ways to Address the Health Effects of Hormonal Imbalance
Acne
Hormonal acne occurs because the hormone androgen – which is responsible for managing puberty – produces an excessive amount of oily substance called sebum, which then clogs pores and attracts bacteria. According to a Forbes article, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can also trigger acne, especially as more reproductive hormones called progesterones trigger skin oil production. To manage acne, make sure to clean your face daily with facial cleansers like the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. The American Academy of Dermatology also suggests a low-glycemic diet to eliminate blood sugar spikes, which can ultimately cause acne.
Weight gain
Hormonal imbalance can also cause weight gain, especially among women with PCOS – an endocrine disorder that produces abnormal amounts of the reproductive hormone androgen. PCOS leads to insulin resistance, causing cells to be inefficient at absorbing glucose from the blood and stimulating the pancreas to pump out more insulin, which promotes fat storage and increases hunger. Thankfully, people with this condition can turn to PCOS weight loss medication to counteract the weight gain caused by the syndrome. Metformin, which reduces fatty tissues, and GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, which reduces appetite, are some medications that can help manage PCOS-related weight gain.
Hair loss
Endocrine disorders can affect hair growth and density, according to the National Institutes of Health. Particularly, male pattern hair loss – which is more commonly known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) – is an age-related condition characterized by a receding frontal hairline that occurs when there are not enough androgen hormones. AGA treatment options can include hair transplant or low-level light therapy that provides photons to scalp tissues to encourage hair growth.
Insomnia
Hypomelatoninemia, which happens when there are lower-than-usual levels of melatonin, can cause insomnia and affect your productivity and efficiency during the daytime. Since melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles, it can be harder to sleep without enough supply. To counteract this, you can try melatonin supplements or prescription medications like triazolam and estazolam to help you sleep.
Hormonal imbalance can affect your body in many different ways – from causing hair loss and acne to having difficulty sleeping and losing weight. Follow these treatment options to help you address its many health effects and get back to living a comfortable, healthier life.
