10 ways your body is warning against hormone imbalance

Hormones are messengers — they carry notes to your cells that tell your body how to behave and function. So when your body is producing too many or too few hormones, it can have trouble knowing exactly what to do next. This is a hormone imbalance.
Hormone imbalances can cause a myriad of symptoms, but sometimes those symptoms are hard to pinpoint to a single cause. That's because while hormones profoundly impact our bodies, doctors and researchers still have a lot to learn about how they work. Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance:
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1. Irregular periods
WebMD explains that most women have their periods every 21 to 35 days. So if you notice that your periods start becoming irregular, it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance, such as too much or too little estrogen or progesterone.
If you notice these changes with your menstrual cycle, talk to your doctor. They could also be a sign of other health problems, including polycystic ovary syndrome and premenopause.
2. Trouble sleeping
If you're having trouble falling or staying asleep, it could be due to a hormone imbalance. WebMD explains that progesterone helps you get a good night's rest. And low estrogen levels, like those experienced in menopause, can cause hot flashes and night sweats that make it hard to sleep.
3. Weight gain
Weight gain can be caused by a myriad of factors. But estrogen dips have been known to cause weight gain, and experts think it's because the decrease in hormones makes you feel down or irritated, prompting people to eat. WebMD explains that an estrogen drop can also affect the hormone leptin, which regulates your body's food intake.
4. Breast changes
Besides seeing your doctor, you should always perform self-checks on your breasts regularly. According to WebMD, if you notice that your breast tissue is less dense, it could be a sign of a drop in estrogen. Alternatively, an increase in estrogen can cause your breasts to form lumps or cysts. Always get these checked out by a doctor.
5. Severe acne
Everyone gets acne once in a while, especially women during their menstrual cycle. But if you experience chronic acne, WebMD explains it could be a sign of excess androgen hormones. These are typically known as 'male' hormones, even though women's bodies also produce them. Too much androgen can cause your oil glands to go into overdrive, leading to acne.
6. Stomach problems
If you haven't realized, an estrogen imbalance can wreak havoc on your body, including your stomach. WebMD explains that estrogen and progesterone affect the cells in your gut that process food. An imbalance in these hormones can cause stomach pain, nausea, bloating, and even diarrhea.
7. Chronic fatigue
If you're feeling tired and foggy all the time, it could be a sign of a thyroid hormone imbalance. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms; a simple blood test can determine if your thyroid is the problem.
8. Lower libido
You probably assume that a low libido means low estrogen, right? Well, WebMD explains that it is actually low testosterone — the 'male' sex hormone — that leads to a lower libido.
9. Headaches
Hormones are complex, and doctors still don't know how they exactly affect the brain. But Livestrong explains that estrogen and progesterone can cause headaches in women, especially before their periods. So if you see a shift in your period headaches, it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance.
10. Memory troubles
Do you find yourself being forgetful often? This lapse might seem like a little inconvenience, but it could be a symptom of a bigger problem like a cortisol hormone imbalance. Cortisol, the hormone released when you're stressed, can have a big impact on your adrenal glands over a long periods of stress. This can affect cognitive functions like memory or your ability to focus. As always, talk to a doctor about your symptoms to pinpoint the problem.
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Resources Lifehack, WebMD, Live Strong, and WebMD
RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.