Hormones! At any age and in any circumstance, but especially during puberty, pregnancy and then on the long, arduous road to the menopause, they can really give us a hard time and cause us some discomfort. That's why we need to be vigilant, be grateful for everything our hormones do for us, and do everything we can to keep our hormones happy (by accepting the fluctuations).

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

Yes, it's a lot, but it's only natural when you consider that we have around 50 different hormones in our bodies. Hormone levels, of course, are not constant. Just as they circulate through our bodies, hormones fluctuate. There can be a natural oscillation (as 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've 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 expose ourselves to, for example) and by certain medical conditions. And although we don't see them, because they circulate throughout our body, hormones send us signals that there may be an imbalance that needs to be adjusted.

These are some fairly common symptoms that may indicate that your hormones are in need of a little 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 oestrogen can cause the irritability and hypersensitivity characteristic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or even the depression that often sets in during the perimenopause (the phase before the menopause, when a woman stops having her period for 12 months at a time).

2. Heavy or painful periods

Imbalances in oestrogen levels can also be linked to heavy menstrual flow and pain during menstruation. We need to understand the cause and assess whether we are dealing with another problem in the uterus.

3. Loss of libido

Very common during the perimenopause and menopause, due to the drop in oestrogen and testosterone levels (yes, women have them too), loss of libido is still taboo for many women. It may reveal a hormonal imbalance.

4. Insomnia and poor quality sleep

The progressive decrease in oestrogen and progesterone production can have a negative impact on sleep quality, especially during the perimenopause and menopause. Declining oestrogen levels can also contribute to night sweats that disturb 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 doesn't produce enough hormones, impacting on our metabolism). In the menopause, hormonal changes can increase the likelihood of gaining weight around the abdomen, creating the "menopause belly".

6. Skin and hair problems

Hormones influence the health of 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 the 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 start producing progesterone, can also cause fertility problems.

8. Headaches

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

9. Bone problems

The drop in oestrogen levels during the perimenopause and menopause can cause bone loss. In more serious cases, it even leads to osteoporosis. That's why it's important to exercise to strengthen your muscles and eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones.

10. Vaginal dryness

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

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How to restore the balance

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

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

To better deal with the stress, anxiety and irritability that may be telling us that our hormones aren't right, the Calma soluble drinkwith cocoa, reishi and shatavari mushrooms, and ashwagandha, the natural anti-depressant, is perfect. A delicious way to balance body and mind in a subtle state of tranquillity and well-being.

Without forgetting the importance of a good rest and refreshing sleep, often destabilized by hormonal changes. Our Sleep Drops with medicinal plants selected to help combat stress and relieve tension, are super easy to take (4 pipettes in water with dinner or before bed) and the beginning of a peaceful sleep.