Naturopathic Treatments For Hormonal Issues
Your hormones are your body’s messengers.
The various glands and organs of your endocrine system will secrete hormones to regulate the function of different parts of your body.
When your hormones are properly balanced, your body runs smoothly. But an imbalance can cause a number of health issues.
Are you struggling to get out of bed in the morning?
Do your energy levels feel depleted no matter how much you rest?
Do you snap at your family, friends, and colleagues more often than you used to?
Have the twin serpents of anxiety and depression been dragging you down?
Do you have really painful or irregular periods?
If so, these may be signs of a hormone imbalance.
Dr. Sheila offers naturopathic solutions designed to rebalance your hormones, and get you feeling great once more.
How Does A Hormonal Imbalance Happen?
A hormonal imbalance happens when one of your endocrine glands or organs produces either too much, or too little hormones.
Your hormones control a number of your body’s functions, so this can have wide-ranging repercussions. Among other things, your hormones are involved with your:
- Appetite
- Digestion
- Metabolism
- Body temperature
- Heart rate
- Ability to manage stress
- Mood
- Sleep
- Sexual function
- Growth & development (in children & teens)
There are a number of different causes of hormonal issues. These include:
Environmental Factors
Certain chemical substances are known to be “endocrine disruptors”, which means they interfere with your endocrine system’s ability to function.
The World Health Organization has published a number of studies on these chemicals, which cause health issues across the world.
A number of these chemicals are found in common household products. Some examples of endocrine disruptors include:
- DDT, a pesticide
- Bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastic food containers
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), used in industrial lubricants
- Phthalates, found in a wide variety of household products
Health Conditions
A number of different health conditions have been associated with hormonal imbalances, including:
- Diabetes
- Cushing syndrome
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- Uterine Fibroids
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Eating disorders
Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are a number of reasons one may opt for hormone replacement therapy.
For some women, the onset of menopause can cause intense acute symptoms due to the hormonal fluctuations. Hormone replacement therapy can ease the transition.
In cases of sexual dysfunction and lack of sexual desire, hormone replacement therapy can help everyone.
Those who identify as transgender may opt to replace the hormones their body produces with those that emulate the secondary sex characteristics of the gender with which they identify.
Hormone replacement therapy has been explored for a number of other conditions as well. Whatever the reason one opts for HRT, though, the balance of hormones is a delicate one which can lead to an imbalance if improperly administered.
Other Factors
Other factors which may lead to a hormonal imbalance include:
- Irregular or inconsistent sleep
- Prolonged periods of high stress
- Poor nutrition
- Obesity
- Certain pharmaceutical drugs
- Recreational drug abuse
- An injury to an endocrine gland
- Deficiency in certain nutrients
- Certain cancer treatments, including chemotherapy
- Anabolic steroid abuse
Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Because your hormones affect so many different bodily functions, a hormonal imbalance can have wide-ranging effects.
Depending on which hormones are affected, you may experience:
- Chronic fatigue
- Insomnia
- Chronic headaches
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Poor stress management
- Moodiness
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Reduced libido
- Sexual dysfunction
- Dry or cracked skin
- Dry, brittle, or thinning hair
- Rashes
- Tender breasts
- Unexpected weight loss
- Unexpected weight gain
- Heart palpitations
- Weak bones
- Bladder issues
- Vision difficulty
- Constipation / Diarrhea
The above factors can affect you regardless of sex. However, males and females can have unique health challenges as a result of hormonal imbalance.
Females with hormonal imbalance may experience:
- Hair loss similar to male pattern baldness
- Tender breasts
- Deepening voice
- Increased growth of body hair
- Vaginal dryness
- Acne
- Painful or irregular periods
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Non-menstrual uterine bleeding
- Enlarged clitoris
- Infertility
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Osteoporosis
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Early menopause
- Increased risk of ovarian cancer
Conversely, males with hormonal imbalance may experience:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight gain
- Softening of skin
- Reduced libido
- Infertility
- Gynecomastia
- Sore/tender chest
- Low sperm count
- Osteoporosis
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
How Can Dr. Sheila Help With Your Hormonal Imbalance?
When you experience a hormonal imbalance, the end goal of any treatment should be to return your hormone levels to normal.
But there’s more to it than just supplementing your existing hormones.
Dr. Sheila will work to find out what the underlying cause is of your hormonal imbalance. Once that’s revealed, Dr. Sheila can offer a treatment plan designed to address it.
If you’re experiencing a hormonal imbalance, or you think you are, Dr. Sheila can help.
Book an appointment with Dr. Sheila today to find out more.