We all know that hormones are responsible for cramps, mood swings and breast tenderness during menstruation or hot flashes and irritability during menopause, but did you know that they can be responsible for many other symptoms?
Your body is able to function due to a delicate balance of hormones. These chemicals control everything from your sleep-wake cycle, your appetite, your metabolism, and even your heart rate. Women have their own set of hormones that control their reproductive systems and allow them to become pregnant and have babies. The tiniest change in the balance of these female hormones can create many alarming symptoms in your body.
There are many points in a woman’s life where it is normal for her to experience hormonal changes. These changes occur every month before menstruation, during pregnancy, and the few years leading up to menopause. Here are some of the symptoms that you can expect to experience during each period:
Symptoms days before menstruation
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Difficulty concentration
- Weight gain
Symptoms during pregnancy
- Nausea
- Morning sickness
- Increased appetite or cravings
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Spider veins
- Increased hair growth
- Aches
- Clumsiness
Symptoms during menopause
- Vaginal dryness
- Depression and mood swings
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Sleep problems
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Decreased sexual libido
- Frequent urination or incontinence
- Headaches
Although it’s normal for those symptoms to happen during those periods, you can also experience them at other times. If this happens, it’s a signal that your hormones are off balance and it might be time to get checked with your OB/GYN clinic. This can happen due to your lifestyle or other medical conditions. Eating an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, long-term exposure to toxins, and smoking can all cause hormonal imbalances at any point in your life.
I’m having some of these symptoms, what should I do?
If you suspect that your hormones can be responsible for your symptoms, schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN San Antonio. Your doctor will conduct some blood tests to determine the level of different hormones in your body. If there is an imbalance, he or she will further investigate to see if there is a medical condition behind this problem. You will probably also be prescribed a medication or hormonal therapy that will correct this imbalance and eliminate symptoms.
An imbalance in your hormones can produce very strong symptoms that can keep you from functioning. Many women suffering from severe depression and anxiety will find that hormones are the culprits. If you have been experiencing symptoms that doctors cannot find a cause for, consider having a blood test to see if hormones could be the cause. You don’t have to live in discomfort. There are many therapies available to correct the issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Institute for Women’s Health, our friendly staff and caring physicians are always ready to help.
Source : This Article Originally Appeared on https://www.ifwh.org/en/blame-it-on-the-hormones/
