Weight Loss & Wellness
Hormone Imbalance
Hormone imbalances occur when too much or too little hormone is in the bloodstream, disrupting the body’s normal functionality. Hormones are the chemical messengers that regulate the body’s processes, and even just a slight imbalance can impact your overall well-being. If you are curious about hormone imbalance and how it impacts your health, Coastal Aesthetics is here to offer expertise on this important topic, as well as explore treatment options.
Causes of Hormone Imbalance
Hormone imbalances can be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic stress, age, and life stages like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, and medical conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diabetes. For some people, it can be hard to pinpoint the cause of hormone imbalance without professional medical help.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of hormone imbalances. When the body is under chronic stress, it produces excess cortisol, often called the “stress hormone.” Elevated cortisol levels can interfere with the balance of other hormones, like thyroid hormones and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone), leading to a range of symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, and weight gain.
Age and Life Stages
Our hormone levels naturally fluctuate as we age, especially during significant life stages like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. For women, menopause marks a considerable decline in estrogen and progesterone, while men go through andropause and experience a decrease in testosterone levels with age. These transformations can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, and changes in mood or energy levels.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also contribute to hormone imbalances. For example, thyroid disorders, like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, directly affect the production of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, and temperature sensitivity. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes can also cause significant hormonal disruptions, affecting insulin levels, reproductive hormones, and overall metabolic function.
A Closer Look At Menopausal Symptoms
For many women, menopause can wreak havoc on their hormones. This shift in hormones can happen slowly over months or years, so by the time most women experience menopause-related symptoms, the hormones are imbalanced.
Many of our female clients seek our expertise because they are frustrated with the hormonal changes and notice they are tired all of the time, have trouble maintaining muscle mass, gain weight, and have little to no sex drive. Blood work often reveals low levels or no estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone production. To improve these symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can drastically improve the side effects of menopause and ease all of the common symptoms.
Pre-Menopausal Stage
During the pre-menopausal stage, also known as perimenopause, a woman’s hormone levels begin to fluctuate as the body prepares for the transition into menopause.
- Ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone
- Hormonal fluctuations lead to irregular periods and menstrual flow changes, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances
- Some women may experience a decrease in libido and vaginal dryness during this stage.
Menopausal Stage
Menopause is officially defined as the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
- At this stage, the ovaries produce very little estrogen and progesterone. Other hormones, like testosterone, decline.
- The sharp reduction in estrogen levels is primarily responsible for the more severe hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes, as well as joint pain, headaches, and thinning hair.
- The decrease in estrogen also affects bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, and can lead to changes in cholesterol levels, raising the risk of heart disease.
Post-Menopausal Stage
The post-menopausal stage begins after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period; the body adjusts to its new, lower hormone levels.
- While some of the more acute symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, may decrease in frequency or intensity, the long-term effects of low estrogen continue to be a concern.
- Post-menopausal women may experience ongoing vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, and a continued decline in bone density.
- Reduced estrogen levels can also contribute to a slower metabolism, making weight management more challenging
- The risk of heart disease and osteoporosis remains elevated during this stage, making it essential for women to focus on their overall health and wellness.
Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy
Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) offers a personalized approach to managing hormone imbalances, particularly for those experiencing symptoms related to aging, like menopause or andropause. Biote HRT uses bioidentical hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body.
BHRT relies on small, time-released pellets inserted under the skin that gradually release hormones, providing consistent relief from symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and decreased libido. Biote HRT is tailored to your hormonal needs, offering a more natural and effective way to restore balance and improve overall quality of life.
By addressing hormone imbalances through lifestyle changes, medication, or hormone replacement therapy, individuals can manage their symptoms more effectively and maintain better overall health.
FAQs
What Are Common Signs of Hormone Imbalance in Men and Women?
Common signs of hormone imbalance in men and women include fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, changes in libido, irregular menstrual cycles in women, and sleep disturbances.
Can Hormone Imbalance Affect Mood and Mental Health?
Yes, hormone imbalance can significantly affect mood and mental health, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings.
How Does Age Impact Hormone Levels in the Body?
As we age, hormone levels naturally decline, leading to changes like reduced energy, lower libido, and increased risk of conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Can Hormone Imbalance Be a Result of Dietary Choices?
Yes, poor dietary choices can contribute to hormone imbalance by affecting insulin levels, increasing inflammation, and disrupting the balance of essential nutrients needed for hormone production.
Are There Natural Remedies to Help Balance Hormones?
Natural remedies, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in whole foods, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep can help balance hormones.
Why Should I Choose Coastal Aesthetics For Hormone Therapy?
At Coastal Aesthetics, Kimberlee Smith is dedicated to helping you ease your concerns about aging as it relates to hormones and hormone imbalances. Together with the Coastal team, Kimberlee will help you make an informed decision about which hormone therapy best aligns with your individual health needs and goals.
Since 2017, Kimberlee Smith and her team have served the coastal York, Maine community. Patients love working with the staff at Coastal due to their acute attention to detail, precision treatment, and attentive patient care. The Coastal team has a reputation for excellence and seeks to improve your natural beauty. If you are ready to see what a difference this treatment can make for you, we invite you to book your consultation online and start your journey to a better you today!
Services Pricing Guide
Download our exclusive Coastal Aesthetics Pricing Guide and learn more about our service menu and pricing
