As an almost-30 year old woman who takes medication for hypothyroidism, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, depression, hormonal imbalance and insulin regulation, I can tell you that a healthy endocrine system is the key to figuring out your overall health. From websites like WedMD to health apps prescribed by doctors (even period-tracking apps), the resources available to help you analyze your behaviors and health over time, have never been easier. It has also never been easier to learn your body, gather data from it, listen to it and relay those results to your physician.
It is crucial, especially for women who are prone to silent killers like breast cancer, to know how to read the signs your body is giving you and be proactive about your health. Hormones control everything from mental health to physical symptoms like bone density, hair growth, fertility, and emotional swings, making women who suffer from hormonal imbalances vulnerable to a host of other disorders. Hormones are generally described as the chemical messengers of the body — if they’re not in check, it’s a good idea to go get checked out yourself!
1. Irregular Periods or Spotting
Sometimes, missed periods and spotting is normal. An average woman’s cycle is between 21 and 35 days; keep track of your own to understand when your estrogen and progesterone levels change, what side-effects this has on your mood and body, and over time you’ll better understand of how your period affects you, allowing you to prepare for it and control it as much as possible. Heavy spotting or long gaps in between your cycle mean that one or more of your hormones isn’t doing it’s job.
My first indicator of an imbalance was a period every other month for half a year till it stopped coming altogether. Your doctor can run a hormone panel blood test or can perform an ultrasound of your ovaries to look for cysts and abnormalities.
2. You’re Gaining Weight.. and this Time It’s Really Not Your Fault.
There are some instances when gaining weight isn’t a result of your indulgences and it often relates to your hormones and their relationship. Women suffering from PCOS are more likely to gain weight as a result of improper androgen levels (testosterone); AND, those who are on the heavier side are prone to developing PCOS as well. Research suggests that women with hormonal irregularities gain weight around the middle, giving them an ‘apple’, instead of ‘pear’-shaped body. This then increases the risk of developing heart disease or diabetes.
Obviously, you have to be aware of diet, exercise, and habits but if you’re living a consciously healthy life, there shouldn’t be rapid changes in your weight or muscle mass (unless it’s Thanksgiving)! Many people also suffer from over-active thyroids, which can cause rapid weight loss — while this sounds like a dream condition come true, it can also cause excessive sweating, heat intolerance, irritability and potential heart palpitations. If you are experiencing changes, cut back on certain foods and lifestyle choices until you’re sure it is your hormones. Then, call the Doc! To give you a hint of what ‘rapid weight gain’ means, it looks like 35 pounds in 55 days….
3. Excessive hair growth AND/OR hair loss!
In an ideal world, the hair from our legs and armpits would fall out on their own every few weeks and our head hair would be luscious and voluminous. Unfortunately, one of the most common signs of a hormonal imbalance that women notice is hair loss, either while shampooing or while brushing, or while cleaning the shower drain! Both menopause and pregnancy can cause hair to thin or fall out due to disrupted levels of estrogen and progesterone. Women who have underactive thyroids, controlled by the pituitary, can also experience similar symptoms. Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, another common disorder for women with hormonal imbalances, can cause excessive hair growth in non-traditional areas such as the face, upper lip, and around the areolas due to increased levels of testosterone or DHT in the body.
Stress and certain medications, like the contraceptive pill, can also cause similar symptoms due to their regulation of the body’s natural cycle but if you experience either of these in a noticeable manner, you should always check with your OB/GYN and your primary physician and consider getting a blood workup to test your thyroid, reproductive, and endocrine systems. High blood sugar levels and amounts of adipose fat can indicate more serious conditions and propensities for illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and hormonal imbalance in general can directly affect fertility. While I’ve never wanted children, the facial hair growth was definitely a problem for me! Women who face this often undergo treatments like laser removal therapy and waxing, but without treating the underlying cause, this will be an unwinnable war.
4. You’re Tired… All the Time
Progesterone, a hormone released by your ovaries, helps you catch that crucial shut-eye. If your levels are lower OR higher than usual, it can be difficult to fall and stay asleep. Low estrogen can trigger hot flashes and night sweats, both of which can make it tough to get the rest you need.
Both men and women, when under large amounts of stress, receive increased amounts of cortisol, the hormone which in excess, leads to fat deposits all over the body for future energy storage. There are plenty of natural ways to beat stress if that indeed is the only underlying factor — we suggest meditation at night for better sleep and a calmer, more aware mindset. If you don’t get enough rest or feel fatigued often, it may be a good idea to your thyroid checked. I was sleeping over 12 hours a day for months and was still tired in the mornings while feeling excessively lazy/fatigued in the evenings.
5. Sex isn’t exciting you.
This is one of those things that can be an indicator of many and influenced by more, BUT if you find yourself rarely aroused, rarely seeking pleasure or feeling it, or finding the idea of sex a pleasurable experience definitely start talking to someone. Maybe not your significant other (unless they’ve already noticed!) but a friend, doctor, or even a therapist. Our period cycles can affect our libido temporarily, but after a month, maybe it’s time to look into it.
The time frame here, and for every other symptom, is really personal. You have to know what is normal for your body, because even your doctor can’t tell you that. No one will know your body like you do; you owe it to yourself to look for the signs and recognize a call for help. You’ve already taken the first step by reading this article and if you happen to be here, we’re guessing you’re already a fan and loyal user of our organic and natural tampons and pads, which were specifically made to respect your hormones. In fact, studies have shown that some tampons have been detected to contain glyphosate, a carcinogenic herbicide that can also act as a hormone disruptor!!! So kudos to all of you already using Maxim organic tampons; you’re already well on your way to achieving hormonal bliss!