Hormonal imbalance: What are the signs?

Hormones, wow! At any age and under any circumstances, but especially during puberty, pregnancy, and later, on the long and arduous road to menopause, they can indeed give us a lot of trouble and cause us some discomfort. Therefore, we need to be mindful, grateful for everything hormones do for us, and do everything possible to keep our hormones happy (accepting the fluctuations).

Produced by the glands that make up our endocrine system, hormones are chemical products that circulate through the bloodstream. And they are really very important because they coordinate various functions in our body, giving signals and orders to organs, muscles, and tissues. Hormones are responsible for the balance of menstrual cycles and fertility (which is why the regularity and characteristics of our menstrual cycle are so important for understanding our hormone levels), and they have a significant impact on regulating sleep and mood, controlling inflammation in the body, regulating stress, weight, the health of the skin, hair and nails, and even the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Yes, it's a lot, but it's natural when you consider that we have around 50 different hormones in our bodies. Hormone levels, of course, aren't constant. Just as they circulate throughout our bodies, hormones fluctuate. There can be a natural oscillation (like in the menstrual cycle and its different phases), but there can also be a hormonal imbalance, which arises when we produce too few or too many hormones. That's what we're going to talk about.

10 signs of hormonal imbalance

As we have seen, hormone levels fluctuate naturally and can also be affected by lifestyle (what we eat, how we sleep, physical activity, and the levels of stress we are exposed to, for example) and by certain medical conditions. And although we don't see them, because they circulate throughout our bodies, hormones send us signals indicating that there may be an imbalance that needs to be adjusted.

These are some fairly common symptoms that may indicate your hormones need some pampering.

1. Mood swings

Estrogen, the female sex hormone, has an effect on neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin (the chemical responsible for good mood). Fluctuations in estrogen can cause the irritability and hypersensitivity characteristic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or even the depression that often sets in during perimenopause (the phase preceding menopause, when a woman stops menstruating for 12 consecutive months).

2. Heavy or painful periods

Imbalances in estrogen levels can also be related to heavy menstrual flow and pain during menstruation. It's necessary to understand the cause and assess whether there might be another underlying problem in the uterus.

3. Loss of libido

Very common during perimenopause and menopause, due to the drop in estrogen and testosterone levels (yes, women experience this too), loss of libido is still a taboo subject for many women. It can reveal a hormonal imbalance.

4. Insomnia and poor sleep quality

The progressive decrease in estrogen and progesterone production can have a negative impact on sleep quality, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Decreased estrogen levels can also contribute to night sweats that disrupt sleep, contributing to fatigue and lack of energy.

5. Weight gain

Weight gain is often related to hormonal problems (such as hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, impacting our metabolism). During menopause, hormonal changes can increase the likelihood of gaining weight around the abdomen, creating "menopause belly".

6. Skin and hair problems

Hormones influence the health of the skin, hair, and nails. For example, chronic acne in adult women can be a sign of low estrogen and progesterone levels. Hormonal imbalances during pregnancy can cause melasma, or itchy skin, and during menopause, many women suffer from dry skin.

7. Fertility problems

High levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can reduce a woman's chances of getting pregnant, while low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulates the ovaries to release an egg and begin producing progesterone, can also cause fertility problems.

8. Headaches

Before, during, and immediately after the period. Many women suffer from headaches due to hormonal changes or imbalances during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause.

9. Bone problems

The drop in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause bone loss. In more severe cases, it can even cause osteoporosis. Therefore, it's important to do muscle-strengthening exercises and adopt a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to protect bones.

10. Vaginal dryness

Again, the drop in estrogen levels, especially during perimenopause and menopause, wreaks havoc, causing vaginal dryness.

How to restore balance

Now that we know all that hormones can do to scramble and disrupt our lives, let's get to the good part: everything we can do to restore balance and keep our hormones calm and healthy. Fortunately, there are many ways to help our bodies restore peace when it comes to hormones, using the power of plants and in a completely natural way.

Super Woman Capsules are the most direct (and incredible!) way to tackle the problem of hormonal imbalances. Formulated with adaptogenic plants such as Shatavari, Ashwagandha , Amla, and Reishi , they are wonderful for regulating the female hormonal and reproductive system, balancing energy levels, cortisol production, mood, and sleep quality.

To better cope with stress, anxiety, and irritability that may be telling us our hormones aren't functioning properly, Calma soluble drink , with cocoa, reishi and shatavari mushrooms, and ashwagandha, a natural antidepressant, is perfect. A delicious way to balance body and mind, in a subtle state of tranquility and well-being.

Not forgetting the importance of a good rest and restorative sleep, often disrupted by hormonal changes. Our Sleep Drops, with selected medicinal plants to help combat stress and relieve tension, are super easy to take (4 droppers in water at dinner or before bed) and are the start of a peaceful sleep.