Is it my hormones?
Have you ever been to the health professional to discuss cyclical symptoms like anxiety, fatigue or depression to either have your concerns disregarded as “in your head” or been offered the pill or an anti-depressant despite you telling them that not what you’re looking for?
I hear these stories every day from my clients.
It is so common for women to be told their hormonal symptoms are “all in your mind” or because they can’t cope with current lifestyle pressures and stress.
I hate to imagine a woman walking away from the clinic feeling confused or second guessing her sense of understanding her body and trusting her ability to tune in to what may be going on.
Why is it that women need to speak to healthcare professionals about their health (often hormonal symptom’s) multiple times before they are taken seriously? Many jumping from practitioner to practitioner, being misdiagnosed or prescribed an unwanted medication.
The problem may lie in the fact that GP’s and other health professionals only have so many tools, training and treatments to draw on and it might not be the right fit for you on this occasion?
Today I thought it might be helpful to shine a light on some of the most common symptoms and causes of hormone related issues.
Remember, hormones are chemical messengers.
Like a text message from one part of the body to another.
For example, you brain sends hormones to your ovaries, adrenals, pancreases, thyroid and they respond by sending out different hormones.
Lots of texts shooting around the body!!! Ha!!
The hormones relating to the menstrual cycle include GnRH, LH, FSH, Oestradiol (estrogen), and progesterone.
These hormones behave differently at different stage of your menstrual cycle and at different life stages.
Some symptoms of a hormonal imbalance in women include:
- Heavy or frequent periods
- Stopped or missed periods.
- Hair loss or thinning
- Pain during sex
- Weight gain
- Night sweats
- Skin tags
- Darkening of the skin in the neck creases, groin or underneath the breasts
- Acne on the face, chest, or upper back
- Excessive hair growth on the face or chin
- Mood changes – anxiety, irritability, depression, sadness.
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Vaginal dryness/atrophy
- STRESS – one of the major culprits for causing hormonal disturbances.
- DISORDERED EATING – under eating, skipping meals and overeating or binging can be another stress on a women’s body.
- TAKING HORMONES – BIRTH CONTROL PILL Despite its benefits in certain circumstances it can have negative consequences for some women.
- ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS chemicals in your body and home care products can have a direct impact.
- POOR NUTRITION – excess sugar, low quality fat in diet, nutrient deficiency or food allergies may contribute to hormones issues month to month.
- GUT AND DIGESTIVE ISSUES – dysbiosis, poor absorption and constipation can impact hormone production and detoxification.
- EXCESS EXERCISE – too much exercise can be a major stress on the body.
The symptoms and causes of hormone disruption are not limited to these but I have highlight some of the most common ones to consider.
It always come back to the unique individual and establishing a clear understanding of symptoms, health history and current lifestyle etc.
It is always a good idea to start tracking your symptoms and your cycle (if you have one) so you can gather data and tune into your body messages a little more before visiting your health practitioner.
It you have sense that there is something going on with your health (and hormones) and your not getting the support you want then seek a different health care practitioner until you find what feels best for you.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about what Naturopathy may have to offer you on your health journey?
Alternatively, you can book in an initial Naturopathy session or join my perimenopause pathway.