Could a hormonal imbalance be causing your weird symptoms?
Hormone imbalances are on the rise and may be responsible for everything from poor sleep and irritability to sugar cravings and weight gain. Hormone imbalances will impact as many as 75 percent of women. Could you be one of them? If you are dealing with some of the warning signs of a hormone imbalance, it’s time to talk with our San Dimas, CA, OBGYN Dr. Richard Williams.
Could I have a hormone imbalance?
If you’re worried that you might have a hormone imbalance, here are some things to look for,
- Mood swings
- Poor sleep or insomnia
- Low sex drive
- Unexpected weight gain
- Heavy, irregular or painful periods
- Fertility issues
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Acne
What causes hormone imbalances?
There are many reasons someone might deal with a hormonal imbalance. It might be caused by an underlying thyroid problem, birth control pills, eating disorders, diet or stress. Hormone imbalances may also occur due to pregnancy, childbirth, premenopause or menopause. The fact remains: These issues are not normal, and you don’t have to just suffer with them.
How are hormone imbalances treated?
First and foremost, our San Dimas, CA, OBGYN needs to figure out what’s causing the imbalance and what hormones are out of whack. This typically requires a rather extensive blood panel to check the health of your thyroid. Once thyroid problems have been ruled out, we may first work with natural solutions such as dietary and lifestyle changes to see if that improves your imbalance without turning to hormone replacement therapy. Some lifestyle changes include,
- Getting regular exercise (and maybe cutting back on those HIIT sessions, as too many of these intense workouts might be throwing your hormones out of whack)
- Finding outlets for your stress, including regular medication or mindfulness practices
- Eating a whole, unprocessed plant-based diet (we may even eliminate gluten or dairy)
- Getting consistent, high-quality sleep (and making sure to get 7-8 hours each night)
- Eliminate alcohol
- Take supplements such as vitamins D and B, as well as fish oil and probiotics
There are many reasons women deal with hormone imbalances. Just know that our San Dimas, CA, OBGYN Dr. Williams is here to provide you with answers and solutions. To determine if you might be dealing with a hormone imbalance, call Williams Ob/Gyn & Associates at (909) 599-8677 for an evaluation.