What is Hormone Imbalance? Causes and Symptoms

When anything in your body feels off or not operating at its fullest potential, a hormone imbalance might be to blame. Dr. J. Gabriel Guajardo in Brownsville and Harlingen, TX, is dedicated to helping you get your body back on track. 

Guide to Hormonal Imbalances: What They Are, Why They Happen, and the Symptoms They Produce 

 Your body relies on many different things to operate properly, including various hormones. Sometimes, the endocrine system doesn’t produce enough of the hormones the body needs, which can lead to many issues. Below, Dr. Guajardo and his team in Brownsville and Harlingen, TX, share how hormones impact the body and the symptoms of a hormone imbalance.

Hormones and the Body 

 Many people are familiar with hormones in terms of physical development, sexual desire, pregnancy, and menstrual cycles. However, these are not the only areas in which hormones play a role. 

Hormones are chemical messengers. They go to your various organs, provide instructions to those organs, and help things operate properly.

They help regulate your blood pressure, growth, development, blood sugar levels, how you feel, how you respond to stress, and even metabolism. 

When these messages aren’t delivered, it can lead to symptoms such as: 

• Having trouble losing weight, regardless of what you might have tried 
• Gaining weight, even if your appetite hasn’t increased
• Changes in your appetite 
• Having irregular periods or no period at all 
• Being chronically fatigued 
• Changes in your sexual desire or experiencing vaginal dryness 
• Feeling like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, as mood swings increase 
• Being unable to concentrate or having brain fog 
• Having trouble falling asleep 

What Causes a Hormonal Imbalance? 

 The specific cause can vary among individuals. In some cases, it is simply age. It may also be due to a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism. Other factors may include: 

• Obesity 
• Taking steroids 
• Poor nutrition 
• Chronic stress 
• Some medications, like birth control 
• Pollutants and other environmental factors 

Treating a Hormonal Imbalance 

 While the symptoms of an imbalance can be difficult to deal with, the good news is that they can be eliminated. The first step is to determine which hormones are imbalanced, which can be accomplished through blood tests. 

Once determined, our doctor can develop the best treatment plan for your needs. Often, this includes the use of HRT or hormone replacement therapy. Typically, this is combined with lifestyle adjustments that can naturally help regulate hormones and relieve symptoms, such as changing your diet, exercising more, improving your sleep, and more. 

Learn more about combating a hormone imbalance with the help of Dr. Guajardo in Brownsville and Harlingen, TX. Call (956) 350-4821 to schedule an appointment.