How Are Your Hormones?

Hormones are some of the hardest workers in our body. These powerful chemicals have an enormous impact on females’ health, affecting their mood, energy level, and total well-being.

With all the amazing things a female body can do, it’s no wonder the hormone structures are so complex. Produced by the endocrine system (the adrenal glands, thyroid, pancreas, and ovaries), hormones are essentially the ‘chemical messengers’ that tell the body how to function.

When in balance, they facilitate everything from digestion to reproduction, but when out of sync, they can wreak havoc on how we look and feel. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle of stress, processed food, poor sleep, sedentary jobs, toxins, and pollution creates exactly the right environment to tip hormones out of balance. Nutritionists, naturopaths, and medical doctors are increasingly recognizing the role of hormonal balance in health and wellbeing.

7 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

Concerned your hormones may be out of harmony? These seven symptoms are common signs of hormonal imbalance.

1. Weight gain - Gaining a few pounds throughout your body is generally the result of a little overindulgence, but weight concentrated in certain parts of the body can be an indication of a hormone imbalance. Weight around the abdomen may be due to elevated levels of cortisol, the hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to chronic stress. The typical ‘pear shape’ of excess weight around the butt and thighs can be due to high estrogen levels.
   
   
2. Fatigue – Getting tired sometimes is normal, but constant fatigue that is unrelieved by sleep can be due to hormonal imbalances. Chronic tiredness may be an indication of low cortisol levels, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates metabolism, mood, and the sleep/wake cycle.
   
   
3. Anxiety or low mood –Experiencing angry or anxious thoughts, constantly feeling down, or having rapid mood swings can be a classic sign of hormonal imbalance. While it’s normal to feel grumpy after a bad day at work, persistent feelings of frustration, anger, or despair are often a symptom of imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels.
   
   
4. Acne – Breaking out at ‘that time of the month’ or during stressful periods is quite normal, but chronic or severe acne is often a sign of elevated androgens (male sex hormones), which trigger increases in oil production. A high-sugar diet and the associated elevated insulin levels may also be to blame.
   
   
5. Low libido –Having no desire for intimacy can be related to many things, including physical and emotional well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and your current relationship. It could also relate to hormone imbalance, as low sex drive is often associated with low testosterone levels in women.
   
   
6. Insomnia –Facing another night not falling asleep or having poor-quality sleep may be the result of lower than-optimum melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain from the neurotransmitter serotonin and is vital for helping us fall and stay, asleep.
   
   
7. PMS –Feeling a bit ‘off’ is normal in the days leading up to your period, however, severe cramps, bloating, headaches or very heavy bleeding are often a sign of imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. 

Restore the Balance Naturally

Hormone Support for Her is a specially formulated blend of herbs and nutrients that can help balance female hormones to relieve PMS and mood swings, ease bloating and naturally support a healthy libido. Herbalists have relied on Chasteberry, Dong Quai and Red Clover for centuries to naturally support female hormonal balance. Xtendlife has combined these powerful herbs with L-Tyrosine and 5-HTP amino acid to help boost mood, relieve anxiety and support stress management. This best-selling female health supplement can also help improve energy levels and support healthy weight management.