When you hear the phrase hormonal imbalance, you may have an initial reaction and think, “Oh, that’s a women’s problem,” when in reality, both men and women experience hormonal imbalances throughout their lives. But growing up, going through puberty, and even muscle and bone growth are attributed to hormones.
Having a hormonal imbalance isn’t unusual, and the most common causes are the natural aging process, but there can be underlying causes that can be attributed to it. It’s important to figure out the root cause to best address the situation.
So how do you know if you have a hormonal imbalance? Here are some signs to look out for:
Difficulty sleeping
Mood swings
Anxiety
Low libido
Adult acne
Lack of concentration
Hot flashes
Irregular periods
When you work with a naturopathic doctor to get your hormones back into balance, one of the first things they’re going to look at is your gut heath. Your hormones and your gut have a significant impact on your overall health, and even if your diet, exercise, and supplement routine is on point, they can still diminish your health if not cared for.
Here are five ways that can help you not only take care of your gut health, but also help give your hormones proper balance.
1. Exercise
For those who may be experiencing a hormonal imbalance, working out too hard or for too long can actually do more harm than good. When the body is in the balancing phase, rest is key. That’s not to say you can’t exercise, but rather to focus on low impact exercises like walking, swimming, light conditioning, and even yoga. Extended cardio workouts can hinder that balance, so less is more in the short term.
2. Diet
You really want to avoid foods that will wreak havoc on your hormones, namely carbs and sugar. Yes, those are the go-to options when craving comfort, but they can cause blood sugar spikes and mess with your insulin. This handy hormone helps to control your blood glucose levels, so it’s ideal to make sure not to upset that balance. Another food to stay away from is soy, as they contain an ingredient that mimics estrogen. Instead, we suggest adding more fruits and veggies into your diet.
3. Sleep
This one should be obvious. For optimal health, not even just balancing your hormones, you need to sleep. Why? Because when you’re asleep, your body releases growth hormones that give your immune system a boost and help in tissue repair. It also helps to control the stress hormone, cortisol. With the more rest your body has, the better equipped you are to tackle the day ahead, get your hormones balanced, and feel better.
4. Digestive Health
As we said earlier, your gut health can have a serious impact on your hormones and your overall health. Your gut is the main source of neurotransmitters in your body, and if that isn’t in proper balance, it can send the wrong message or no message to your body on which hormones you need at a given time. If you struggle with gut issues, you may also have difficulty with hormonal imbalance. Get this in check, and you’ll be on your way to a balanced body.
5. Stress
Stress is just a fact of life. We all deal with it. But chronic stress is another issue altogether and will disrupt a number of hormones in your body, including cortisol, adrenaline, growth hormones, and more. When these aren’t properly balanced, it can lead to issues like adrenal fatigue, Graves’ disease, sexual issues, and even diabetes. Creating a calming and relaxing environment can help restore balance to these hormones, whether that’s achieved through meditation, a strong support system, or relaxing activities.