We hear a lot about hormonal imbalance, though what exactly are hormones, and how can you tell if they’re out of balance? Plus, what can you do to balance hormones if they are out of whack? Read on to find out.
Hormones are vital messengers that ensure we remain healthy and well. As such, when hormonal balance occurs, even slightly, we tend to know something’s off, though we often don’t realize the root of the issue lies with our hormones. In fact, a 2019 American Psychological Association reports that close to 50% of U.S. women aged 30 to 60 have experienced hormonal imbalance symptoms, though some 72% of the survey respondents had no clue that their symptoms were hormone-related.
So, what are the signs that your hormones might be out of balance, and what can you do to balance hormones naturally? We turn to Houston-based Nurse Practitioner and DermaTouch RN Advanced Practice Nurse Donna Lucarini for answers.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers released by the endocrine glands, like the thymus, pituitary, pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, and testes. They travel through the bloodstream to organs and tissues to support physical and mental health. They impact sexual function, metabolism, growth, mood, physical health, and much more.
The main focus for this article will be sex-related hormones, like estrogen and testosterone.
What is hormonal imbalance?
When we have an excess or deficiency of hormones – whether it’s a single hormone or a combination of hormones – it’s referred to as hormonal imbalance. It only takes a very small deficiency or excess of hormones to significantly impact the body.
According to Lucarini, symptoms of hormones being out of balance include:
- weight gain or weight loss
- muscle weakness
- fatigue
- hot flashes
- sensitivity to cold or heat
- joint aches and pains
- brain fog
- decreased sex drive
- vaginal dryness
- inconsistent erections
- mood swings and irritability
- dry skin
This is not an exhaustive list, though it represents some of the most common symptoms those with a hormonal imbalance present with.
What causes hormones to be out of balance?
There are several reasons hormones might end up out of balance, and it depends on the hormones impacted.
Lucarini shares, “There are many possible causes of a hormone imbalance. It depends on which hormone or which glands are affected. Some common causes and conditions include medications, eating disorders, stress, hormone therapy, diabetes, thyroiditis, and more,” Lucarini continues, “Common causes of hormone imbalances unique to women include menopause, premature menopause, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and PCOS. A common cause for men is andropause.”
How can you balance hormones naturally?
Fortunately, it is possible to balance hormones naturally. Lucarini suggests the following as options to do so:
- Eat a balanced diet consisting of 20-30 grams of protein with each meal, while avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates and consuming healthy fats and fiber.
- Partake in consistent exercise, such as walking, strength training, and aerobics.
- Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and pranayama breathing exercises.
- Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Utilize Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).*
*Though BHRT is not technically 100% natural, it is the most natural form of hormone replacement therapy available. BHRT mimics natural hormones and is proven to be beneficial on many levels. It’s an ideal treatment for those experiencing hormonal imbalance and are seeking added support to balance hormones as quickly as possible.
What results can be seen with BHRT to balance hormones?
“I see the patients I treat with BHRT achieve many positive results,” states Lucarini. Lucarini lists some of those results as being:
- Improved sleep
- Decreased hot flashes
- Increased libido
- Stable mood, decreased irritability
- Decreased joint aches and pains
- Increased sex drive
- Increased energy
- Improved mental clarity
How can you find out if your hormones are out of balance?
To determine if your hormones might be the root cause of your symptoms, schedule an appointment with your local provider for a consultation. To test your hormones, an assessment of your medical history and a simple blood draw are generally required.
At DermaTouch RN, we begin with a BHRT consultation that includes a review of your health history and a blood sample to determine your current hormone levels. From there, we will assess your results and compare them to your symptoms and ideal hormonal levels to determine the right BHRT level for you. Our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy of choice is BioTE hormone pellets. You can schedule a consultation online 24/7!
Donna Lucarini, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
PROFESSIONAL INJECTOR
Donna is a Houston-based Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Nurse at DermaTouch RN with a B.S. in Nursing from UT Health Science Center Houston, a Master’s from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and a B.S. in Psychology from Sam Houston State University.
Donna finds her work in women’s health most enjoyable, whether it be in preventative medicine or cosmetic care, with a compassionate perspective to help her patients look and feel their best. Donna works with both male and female patients to provide bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and injectable cosmetic treatments, like dermal fillers and Botox. Learn more about Donna and the team of professionals she works with.
DermaTouch RN offers minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments for men and women in Houston, San Antonio, Spring and Cypress, as well as the surrounding areas of Texas. We are the largest aesthetic practice in the Houston area, and all of our medical spa treatments are performed by a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and aestheticians who receive continuing education to remain abreast of emerging treatments that benefit our patients. We invite you to learn more about our office before your consultation.
