Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining your overall health. It helps regulate body functions, such as growth and development, sleep, blood pressure, stress levels, appetite, etc. Thus, hormonal balance is vital to a healthy mind and body. However, a slight imbalance of the hormones can wreak havoc on your body. For example, hormonal imbalances in females can cause:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Loss of interest in sex
- Hair loss
- Acne on face, chest, and upper back
- Infertility
- insomnia
There are several possible causes of hormonal imbalance in females. However, it depends on which hormones are affected. Some of the causes of hormonal imbalance in females include:
- Eating disorders
- Certain medications
- Stress
- Injury or trauma
- Chemotherapy
- Pituitary tumors
While some hormonal imbalances are temporary, others can be chronic (long-term). You will be glad to know that there are some treatment options to balance hormones that will help you stay physically healthy. With that, let’s discuss some of them:
1. Intake Natural Supplements
One of the best ways to balance hormone levels in females is to intake natural supplements. However, consuming natural supplements depends on the symptoms of your hormonal imbalances.
For example, natural supplements like red clover, black cohosh, and dong Quai are used to treat hot flashes caused by menopause. Similarly, Nigella Seeds can be used to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PSOC). It is a disorder associated with hormonal imbalances in women of reproductive age.
There are tons of other supplements available in the market that can work wonders for your hormone levels. However, before taking any supplements, consulting with a professional doctor can be a better option. They will suggest you the right supplements to ensure safety and avoid any potential side effects with other medications.
2. Practice Yoga
You know your body better. You know when your body is feeling “off”. Maybe you are not sleeping well, or you are feeling stressed for no reason. Or maybe, your periods are getting worse. Well, these are all the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. This is where yoga comes to the rescue.
You might be wondering what this has to do with yoga? You probably are aware of the health benefits of yoga, but do you know yoga can pressurize and depressurize specific glands? Several yoga poses stimulate and balance endocrine function.
Thus, by practicing yoga, you can help regulate the hormones produced in the thyroid glands. You can consider yoga as a whole support system for your glands.
3. Go For A Hormone Test
A hormone test is one of the best ways to check on concerns with puberty, infertility, menopause, and other conditions.
Your doctor will advise you to go for a hormone test where your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) will be tested. It will also give you a deep insight into your progesterone levels. It is a hormone that is present in the ovaries. A slight change in progesterone levels can cause menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms.
Thus, going for an all-inclusive hormone test can be your best bet. It is designed to identify the causes of hormonal imbalances and treat them before it wreaks havoc on your body.
4. Use Over-The-Counter (OTC) Products
There are several OTC products available in the market that can help you cure the symptoms. For example, you can use face washes, gels, and creams to get rid of acne on your face. Face washes contain salicylic acid which removes oil and dirt and clears all your pores.
According to experts, if you have sensitive skin, then it is wise to use a foaming face wash or other gentle cleanser labeled sensitive. OTC products are meant to treat moderate skin symptoms like acne. Don’t expect it to treat other hormonal imbalance symptoms.
While there are tons of OTC products available in the market, it is wise to know that not all products are created equal. Some products contain harmful chemicals that can make the matter worse. Thus, it’s crucial to discuss it with a professional doctor before using any OTC products.
5. Manage Stress
Stress can affect your hormones in several ways. Chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain elevated which stimulates appetite and boosts the intake of high-fat foods. In turn, it may lead to obesity and excessive calorie intake.
However, you can manage your stress levels by practicing yoga, meditation, and listening to relaxing music. Try to devote at least 15 minutes per day to these activities and you will see better results in no time.
Summing Up
Hormonal imbalance in women is common during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and aging. But most women often struggle with hormonal imbalance for a longer period.
Following the tips mentioned above can help you balance your hormone levels. If these tips don’t work, it is wise to consult a professional doctor.