The Chemical Masters Of The Body
Hormones affect almost every bodily function. These chemicals work silently behind the scenes. Hormones manage stress, energy, reproductive health, weight, and hundreds of other processes. The endocrine system creates, receives, and regulates these hormones. Over time many men and women experience hormonal imbalances. This can happen naturally with changes like menopause in women or due to lifestyle and environmental changes. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy or HRT can help.
Understanding when hormones are out of whack
Hormonal imbalances happen where there is too much or too little of a hormone in the body. Hormones can be delicate chemicals. The glands release exact amounts at strategic times into the bloodstream. Just a small change can create an adverse reaction. Imbalances also affect men and women differently. Common imbalances in women happen during pregnancy, menstruation, PCOS, or menopause. Men feel the same through andropause, adrenaline changes, insulin changes, and reduced testosterone. Hormonal imbalances show clear signs based on the type of hormone affected. Persons should look out for these 3 major signs.
1. Whoa, there weight gain!
A sudden, unexplained jump in weight can be related to hormonal imbalance. Persons with a healthy diet and exercise lifestyle may be particularly disturbed by these changes. Issues with the thyroid and insulin are the leading promoters of weight gain. These can damage the body’s use of sugar, metabolism, and the ability to convert sugar into energy.
2. Tired of being tired
Many with hormonal imbalances complain of chronic fatigue. These persons feel drained even with the right meals and sleep. Environmental changes, age, diet, and a fast-paced lifestyle can cause imbalances. Hormones like cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid manage fatigue. Big dips in energy and long spells of fatigue could spell hormonal imbalance.
3. A sexual slowdown
The hormones estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone manage reproductive health. These chemicals also determine sexual health and libido. Drops in these hormones can kill the mood for women and men alike. Women, in particular, with reproductive changes like menopause, perimenopause, or hysterectomies, have fluctuating hormones. Some men experience low levels of testosterone past the natural decline that comes with aging. Even persons with excellent reproductive health can experience hormone changes. If these changes are killing the mood, speak with a doctor immediately.
Time to turn to HRT
Doctors turn to hormone replacement therapy or HRT to treat these issues and many others. HRT seeks to restore a dip in estrogen, progesterone, and progestin. Women are the main benefactors of the treatment. However, men can take testosterone HRT in special cases like hypogonadism. HRT is usually administered in a pill, cream, or patch form. The dosage contains enough of the missing hormone to restore much-needed balance.
Why HRT works
HRT helps many to live a healthier life. HRT can bring restored energy, virility, and a better response to diet and exercise. HRT also tackles conditions like bone loss, hair loss, and mood swings. Persons can also benefit from improved sleep, reduced inflammation, headaches, and better digestive health. That said, hormone therapy has some minor to serious side effects. Speak with a doctor before starting or stopping treatment.
Talk about HRT today
A hormonal imbalance can bring weight gain, low sex drive, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms. These can impact the quality of life. The first step is to speak with a doctor. Doctors will first look for any underlying diseases or conditions affecting hormones. At the recommendation of a doctor, consider trying HRT to fix imbalance issues and improve the quality of life.