Women go through many phases in life, during which hormonal levels are constantly updated. The body needs hormones in a specific amount to function well. But how do you know if you have a hormonal imbalance?
In this article, we will discuss each of the symptoms, causes, and natural treatments for managing them.
What is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones play many roles, from managing appetite and reproductive health to growth and metabolism. The list goes on. Hormones are critical to our health and to our lives.
Hormonal imbalance occurs when there’s too little or too much of a certain hormone. We all experience hormonal fluctuations throughout life.
This includes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. These are temporary imbalances that subside with time. However, some hormonal imbalances can be more persistent and lead to conditions like:
- Fatty Liver
- Diabetes
- PCOS
- Obesity
- Thyroid problems
- Infertility
- Hormonal acne
These types of imbalances might require medical attention.
Can We Prevent It?
Not always. Some arise due to factors like autoimmune disorders, adenomas, or tumors, which are often unavoidable. However, imbalances can be prevented and managed.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?
There’s a fine-tuned and intricate balance of hormones in our body. Depending on how our hormones interact with each other, we could either be in a state of hormonal homeostasis or chaos. So what causes this, and what are some of the factors that make us more prone to it?
1. Poor Diet: This is usually the result of overconsuming processed foods rich in added sugars, saturated fats, and trans fats. Inadequacy of vitamins and minerals can also be a problem when we consume very little food or are undernourished.
2. High Body Fat Percentage: Obesity and high body fat can put you at risk of multiple hormonal imbalances. High visceral fat induces a state of stress in the body. It increases cortisol, which dysregulates insulin and blood sugar response.
3. Chronic Stress: This causes you to produce the hormone cortisol. Now, cortisol is not inherently bad. In fact, it allows us to react to and overcome stressful situations. But long-term stress and consistently high levels of these can result from either physical, emotional, or mental stress, which can start wreaking havoc on our overall hormonal balance.
How To Manage Hormonal Imbalance?
There are many ways to prevent an imbalance. Here are some of the best natural options:
1. Proper Diet: There are a few foods that have been studied for having a positive impact on hormones. Replace refined carbs, potatoes, and bread with root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, or yams. Then there are cruciferous vegetables like cabbages, cauliflowers, mustard greens, or broccoli. These contain a compound called Indole-3-Carbinol that prevents hormone-dependent cancers.
2. Adaptogens: These are extracts that help our body cope with stress. It also helps in boosting our immune and hormonal health. Some well-known adaptogens are found in herbs like ashwagandha, tulsi, turmeric, ginseng, and mushrooms.
3. Good Gut Health: Our gut contains trillions of microbes that produce substances and metabolites that impact our hormonal health. Taking care of it is paramount in maintaining a good hormonal balance.
4. Avoid Fad Diets: Any diet that excludes a macronutrient like carbs or fats inevitably disturbs the body’s hormonal balance. You might think that you’re losing weight, but in the process, you also lose the health of your hair, skin, and menstrual cycles.
5. Proper Sleep: Sleeping greatly impacts the balance of hormones. In fact, lack of sleep can lead to overeating and weight gain. It can also lead to elevated levels of cortisol.
Conclusion
There are plenty of natural ways to prevent and manage hormonal imbalances. With the correct diet and lifestyle, hormonal imbalances can be reverted. Visit Calgary Integrative Medicine today to learn more.
