There are so many symptoms that can be linked to a hormonal imbalance and the symptoms you may be experiencing depend on which hormones are out of balance. You may notice changes in your metabolism, for example, unexpected weight gain or not being able to lose weight like you have done previously. You may experience changes in your sleep cycles, body temperature, mood swings and sexual dysfunction. Both men and women can have hormonal imbalances.

Laboratory testing is the only way to determine a hormonal imbalance, but many patients have had hormone tests performed and told they were normal, yet they know something is wrong. At Multi-Care Holistic Health Center, we offer more in-depth hormonal lab testing through blood and saliva. Our hormonal tests range from the very basic to the most comprehensive.

The most common symptoms of a hormonal imbalance for a woman are:
* Heavy, painful or irregular periods
* Unexplained weight gain or inability to lose weight
* Insomnia or interrupted sleep
* Fatigue
* Hot flashes and night sweats
* Low libido
* Dry skin
* Headaches
* Hair loss or brittle thinning hair
* Vaginal dryness
* Fertility issues
* Mood swings and irritability
* Acne
* Increased facial hair

What is typically seen with men are:
* Andropause (male menopause)
* Low testosterone
* Erectile dysfunction (ED)
* Loss of muscle mass
* Decreased facial or body hair
* Gynecomastia
* Adrenal fatigue
* Hyper or Hypothyroidism

Some hormonal imbalances are from natural aging while others can range from stress to endocrine dysfunction. Others may be caused by side effects or medications. Some just tend to worsen with age. Some of the main causes of hormone imbalances are:

Thyroid Dysfunction
If your thyroid gland is not working properly it can cause abnormal thyroid levels considered either underactive or overactive.

Chronic Stress
Stress can have a major effect on your body’s cortisol levels which can then affect other hormones in your body.

Birth Control or Hormone Replacement Drugs
Most birth control and hormone replacement medications contain synthetic or “man-made” hormones which can cause numerous imbalances in the body. Synthetic hormones are not natural to the body, and just by adding these common hormones to your body it can cause a myriad of symptoms.

Medications
Certain medications can cause a hormonal imbalance such as steroids and diabetes medications.

Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are common chemicals that mimic your body’s hormones and can cause severe hormone imbalances. Common endocrine disruptors are toxins, pollutants, chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, plastics, environmental contaminations and certain foods we eat can interfere with the endocrine system. These are just examples of the many endocrine disruptors.

There are several natural effective options to balance your hormones. These include herbs and dietary modifications as well as “bio-identical” hormones which are plant based derived hormones that are the exact same chemical structure as those produced by the body. Our patients have found immediate reduction in symptoms once they are placed on the proper bio-identical hormones. Therefore, proper testing is key to your success.

The majority of our patients start feeling improvements in a matter of days to weeks. Although it may take some patients months to completely rebalance their hormones, they are excited because they can tell it is working almost immediately. Since hormones are a major communication system in our body, the overall health benefits you will experience are simply life changing.