Seven Lesser Known Signs that Your Hormones May Be Out of Balance
You’re probably aware of the more common signs of hormone imbalance:
- Weight gain and increased body fat
- Loss of muscle mass
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Reduced sex drive
- Hot flashes and night sweats
If you’re in your late 30s or older, these are well-established warning signs with regard to hormone imbalance for both men and women.
However, these aren’t the only symptoms of hormone imbalance. Some less well-known symptoms include:
Joint Pain
As people age, joint pain is commonly blamed on arthritis. But arthritis isn’t always the culprit. In some cases, the underlying cause is hormone imbalance.
Testosterone, for example, is an important contributor to muscle and bone health, with declining testosterone production being linked to an increased incidence of joint pain.
Estrogen, on the other hand, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, estrogen deficiencies can cause increased joint inflammation and pain for both men and women.
Meanwhile, weight gain that can be caused by imbalances in various hormones (e.g. testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and growth hormone) can also stress your joints over time and cause pain.
And cortisol levels that remain elevated for a prolonged period of time due to acute or ongoing stress can be another source of chronic joint inflammation.
Digestive Issues
Not only does a deficiency in estrogen increase the likelihood for developing constipation, but it can also cause pelvic floor weakness that can contribute to inefficient bowel movements.
Thyroid is another hormone that can cause constipation when not present in adequate amounts.
And insulin and cortisol imbalances, which are frequently stress-related, can also result in GI-tract issues.
Urinary Tract Infections
Women will often suffer from more frequent UTIs after menopause. Research suggests that this may occur in part because diminished estrogen production reduces the immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
Estrogen also strengthens urinary tract cells, which means that estrogen deficiency during menopause can make these cells more susceptible to infection.
Finally, deficiencies in estrogen can disrupt vaginal PH, as well as cause vaginal dryness and atrophy. These changes make women more susceptible to vaginal infections, as well as UTIs.
Dizziness and Balance Issues
Hormone imbalances can be related to dizziness and poor balance in a few ways:
- For women, low estrogen can weaken an organ in the inner ear called the otoconia, which can cause vertigo and a loss of balance.
- Cardiovascular issues related to hormone loss can cause reduced blood oxygen levels that can lead to dizziness.
- Reduced testosterone levels can cause a loss in muscle mass that can contribute to balance issues.
Headaches
In women, estrogen and progesterone strongly impact parts of the brain responsible for headache pain. In research studies, 45% of women reported that they experienced an increase in migraines during perimenopause and menopause.
Men, on the other hand, can experience headaches as a result of testosterone deficiency.
Dry or Itchy Skin
Low thyroid levels are notorious for causing dry and itchy skin.
Meanwhile, high levels of cortisol (the “stress hormone”) can trigger an immune system response that sometimes results in excess skin inflammation that can cause dryness and itching.
For women, the age-related loss of estrogen and progesterone can cause reduced skin elasticity and a loss of collagen. These hormones also stimulate oil glands in the skin that help to keep it hydrated. The cumulative result is dryness and itching.
Sexual Dysfunction
Testosterone deficiency has long been related to a loss of sex drive in both men and women. Estrogen that is too low can further complicate things for women. For men, estrogen that is too high or too low can compromise libido.
But sex drive isn’t the only issue. Age-related hormone decline can cause other sex-related issues including:
- Erectile dysfunction in men.
- Inability for men and women to achieve orgasm.
- Painful intercourse for women due to vaginal dryness and atrophy.
Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?
Many of these symptoms can be caused by problems other than hormone imbalance. However, with age it becomes more likely that imbalanced hormones are at least a contributing factor.
Are your hormones out of balance? Renew Youth is here to help. Call us at (800) 859-7511 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
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