In our fast-paced, high-stress society, hormone imbalances are becoming increasingly prevalent. More and more individuals are experiencing disruptions in their hormonal health, leading to a variety of problems. From environmental toxins to dietary and lifestyle choices, a combination of factors is clearly contributing to this alarming increase.
Hormone Imbalance
ON THE RISE
Potential Causes of Hormone Imbalance…
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Found in plastics, pesticides, personal care products, and even tap water, these chemicals interfere with the body’s natural hormone production.
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Long-term stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, which can suppress reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and other critical endocrine processes.
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Processed foods, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation or even infertility.
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Sleep is vital for hormone regulation. Poor sleep quality can affect melatonin, cortisol, and reproductive hormones.
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A lack of physical activity can contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and imbalances in the sex hormones.
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While useful for birth control, synthetic hormones in contraceptives can sometimes disrupt the body’s natural hormone production and deplete women of key nutrients.
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Natural shifts such as perimenopause and menopause alter hormonal balance significantly and can bring with them troubling and often unrecognised symptoms.
-
Found in plastics, pesticides, personal care products, and even tap water, these chemicals interfere with the body’s natural hormone production.
-
Long-term stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, which can suppress reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and other critical endocrine processes.
-
Processed foods, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation or even infertility.
-
Sleep is vital for hormone regulation. Poor sleep quality can affect melatonin, cortisol, and reproductive hormones.
-
A lack of physical activity can contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and imbalances in the sex hormones.
-
While useful for birth control, synthetic hormones in contraceptives can sometimes disrupt the body’s natural hormone production and deplete women of key nutrients.
-
Natural shifts such as perimenopause and menopause alter hormonal balance significantly and can bring with them troubling and often unrecognised symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance…
Feeling tired all the time
Unexplained weight gain or trouble losing weight
Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
Mood swings, anxiety or depression
Insomnia or poor sleep quality
Low libido
Histamine Intolerance
Erectile dysfunction
Brain fog & difficulty concentrating
Hair thinning or hirsutism
Skin issues like acne, dryness, or sensitivity
Digestive issues, including bloating & constipation
Headaches / Migraines
A NATURAL BUT CHALLENGING TRANSITION
Perimenopause & Menopause
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate, causing confusing symptoms that may come and go or increase in severity.
Perimenopause typically occurs in the 40s, but can start earlier and lasts until menopause is reached.
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Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period.
While menopause is a natural phase of life, the hormonal shifts can bring with them significant and often troubling symptoms.
In addition to these more obvious signs, the loss of female sex hormones, can have invisible effects on our bodies, with increasing risks of Osteoporosis, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and even potentially dementia.
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Irregular periods / changes in cycles
Hot flashes & night sweats
Mood swings & irritability
Increased anxiety & panic, particularly at night
Vaginal dryness, painful sex
Memory lapses & difficulty concentrating
Weight gain
Many more less talked about symptoms
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Perimenopause is diagnosed primarily based on a woman’s symptoms, age, and menstrual history.
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes
At either stage, I often suggest functional testing to ascertain much more information to explain symptoms including: adrenal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar/insulin dysregulation, poor detoxification etc that may be behind many symptoms.
A NATURAL BUT CHALLENGING TRANSITION
Perimenopause & Menopause
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate, causing confusing symptoms that may come and go or increase in severity.
Perimenopause typically occurs in the 40s, but can start earlier and lasts until menopause is reached.
-
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period.
While menopause is a natural phase of life, the hormonal shifts can bring with them significant and often troubling symptoms.
In addition to these more obvious signs, the loss of female sex hormones, can have invisible effects on our bodies, with increasing risks of Osteoporosis, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and even potentially dementia.
-
Irregular periods / changes in cycles
Hot flashes & night sweats
Mood swings & irritability
Increased anxiety & panic, particularly at night
Vaginal dryness, painful sex
Memory lapses & difficulty concentrating
Weight gain
Many more less talked about symptoms
-
Perimenopause is diagnosed primarily based on a woman’s symptoms, age, and menstrual history.
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes
At either stage, I often suggest functional testing to ascertain much more information to explain symptoms including: adrenal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar/insulin dysregulation, poor detoxification etc that may be behind many symptoms.
Understanding the causes, symptoms & conditions associated with hormone imbalance is crucial to taking proactive steps toward better hormone health.
Conditions Associated with Hormone Imbalance…
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A common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often leading to irregular periods, weight gain, infertility and insulin resistance.
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Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause a host of symptoms, including fatigue, weight changes, and mood disturbances. 95% of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s.
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Chronic stress can disrupt adrenal function, leading to burnout, anxiety, and low energy.
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Poor insulin regulation due to hormone imbalance can contribute to Type 2 diabetes and PCOS.
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Excess oestrogen relative to progesterone can cause heavy periods, breast tenderness, fibroids and mood disorders.
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As women transition into menopause, declining oestrogen and progesterone levels can trigger hot flashes, mood changes, poor sleep and anxiety but also a myriad of less obvious and overlooked symptoms including: muscle twitches/cramping, heart palpitations or ectopic beats, electrical sensations in skin or brain, feelings of doom or dread, twitching muscles, rib or girdle pain, numbness and tingling and a whole host more.
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In both males and females – androgen imbalance causes a variety of symptoms. Low androgen production can cause poor libido, fatigue and muscle loss and high androgen signs include acne, excessive hair growth and aggression.
Conditions Associated with Hormone Imbalance…
-
A common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often leading to irregular periods, weight gain, infertility and insulin resistance.
-
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause a host of symptoms, including fatigue, weight changes, and mood disturbances. 95% of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s.
-
Chronic stress can disrupt adrenal function, leading to burnout, anxiety, and low energy.
-
Poor insulin regulation due to hormone imbalance can contribute to Type 2 diabetes and PCOS.
-
Excess oestrogen relative to progesterone can cause heavy periods, breast tenderness, fibroids and mood disorders.
-
As women transition into menopause, declining oestrogen and progesterone levels can trigger hot flashes, mood changes, poor sleep and anxiety but also a myriad of less obvious and overlooked symptoms including: muscle twitches/cramping, heart palpitations or ectopic beats, electrical sensations in skin or brain, feelings of doom or dread, twitching muscles, rib or girdle pain, numbness and tingling and a whole host more.
-
In both males and females – androgen imbalance causes a variety of symptoms. Low androgen production can cause poor libido, fatigue and muscle loss and high androgen signs include acne, excessive hair growth and aggression.
TREATMENT & DIAGNOSIS
Functional Testing - Personalised Results
Functional testing provides in-depth insights into your body’s systems, helping identify imbalances or dysfunctions that may be contributing ill health.
By uncovering the root causes, it allows for personalised, targeted treatment to restore you to optimal health.
There are a broad range of functional tests available, please enquire directly to find the test for you.
EXPERT HORMONE ADVICE
How I Can Help
While hormone imbalances can be disruptive and frightening, they are not irreversible.
With expertly targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions, you can regain hormone harmony to bring back your true vitality and wellness.