Hormonal Imbalance in Younger Women is More Common Than You Think

Difficulty sleeping, irregular periods, mood swings, unexpected weight gain—if this sounds like you, it could be a hormonal imbalance. It might seem unlikely, but hormonal imbalance among young women is actually fairly common. Studies show that up to 80% of women experience hormonal imbalance in their lifetime. Because many of these imbalances are undiagnosed, some women may go through years of suffering symptoms without knowing why.

In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, reasons why it might be happening to you, and how to get your balance back.

Many of us associate hormone imbalances with menopause, but it can actually happen at any time in your life. Hormone imbalances as a young woman can be confusing and frustrating, but we’re here to help you find answers. Make an appointment now to speak with our team about hormone replacement therapy options.

Hormonal Imbalance in Young Women

Women in their 20s or 30s may experience hormonal imbalance long before menopause.

Early menopause is when a woman experiences menopause before age 45 and is one possible reason why you might suffer from hormone imbalance symptoms in your 20s and 30s. Early menopause only occurs in about 5% of women. However, younger women can still experience hormonal imbalance outside of the context of menopause.

Hormonal imbalance refers to the disruption of the normal balance of hormones in your body. One of the most common imbalances for women is when estrogen and progesterone are not balanced properly.

Progesterone and estrogen work together and are very important for your body. Estrogen affects mood, sleep, and libido, and also helps maintain bone density and healthy skin. Progesterone helps regulate the effects of estrogen on your body and regulates your period.

As a woman, you should always listen to your body. Get help if you notice any changes in your menstrual cycle or start to experience more symptoms of hormonal imbalance. If left untreated, hormonal imbalances can lead to more serious health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.

Balancing your hormones may sound complicated, but we’re here to help you find the right treatment so you can feel more like yourself again.

Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

When hormone levels are not balanced, it can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can negatively impact your quality of life. Even small changes in your hormone levels can have a significant impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include:

• Mood swings: Mood swings happen when serotonin levels rise and fall rapidly. Estrogen and progesterone control serotonin production levels, so when they are off balance, your serotonin levels will be, too.
• Fatigue: If you frequently feel more tired than usual, despite getting good sleep at night and eating well, it could be due to a hormonal imbalance.
• Difficulty sleeping: Imbalanced hormones can cause insomnia, and sleep deprivation can affect hormone levels, creating an ongoing cycle of sleepless nights.
• Acne: Hormonal fluctuations can cause breakouts, often on the lower part of the face like the jawline, chin and bottom of the cheeks.
• Weight gain: Because hormones play a major role in controlling your appetite, metabolism, and body fat distribution, a change in their normal level can lead to excess weight gain.
• Irregular, heavy, or painful periods: A hormone imbalance can change the regularity of your cycle and can cause your body to make the uterine lining too thick, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also be impacted by other life factors, including stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics, so it’s important to get a proper assessment of your hormone levels to determine if they are the key contributing factor.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in your 20s and 30s

A hormonal imbalance has a domino effect in your body that can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems, such as greater risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis. Unbalanced hormone levels are also the number one cause of infertility in women.

There are several factors that can trigger hormonal imbalance such as stress, poor diet, and certain medications. Hormonal imbalances also often occur during natural cycles in your life like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

Another cause of hormonal imbalance is endocrine disorders such as PCOS. This disorder causes cysts to grow on your ovaries because your adrenal glands are producing more testosterone than normal. Typical symptoms include irregular periods, thinning hair, oily skin, and infertility.

Low thyroid is a common reason for hormone imbalance in women. When you have an underactive thyroid, your metabolism slows down and you feel more tired than usual. Hormone replacement is usually used to treat low thyroid. Without treatment, low thyroid can lead to complications such as heart disease or pregnancy problems.

Treating Hormonal Imbalance with Hormone Replacement Therapy or Other Medication

Hormone replacement therapy gives you relief from symptoms caused by imbalanced hormones. When you take them regularly, they help replenish your body’s natural hormone levels so you feel more like yourself again.

Depending on what your body needs, you can take bioidentical hormones to help your body stabilize its estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or thyroid levels. The hormones we administer are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about filling your body with synthetic hormones.

Birth control medication is a common option for women who want to keep hormonal symptoms from fluctuating month to month, such as those who have been diagnosed with PCOS. However, this type of medication may not be an option for some women due to their individual needs. That’s why it’s important to learn all the options to find the right treatment for you.

Help Balance Your Hormones with Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining hormonal balance is crucial for overall well-being. Hormones play a vital role in your body, from sleep cycles to metabolism. However, factors such as stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise can upset your balance, leading to a range of health issues.

Implementing healthy lifestyle changes can be immensely beneficial. Some of the ways you can promote healthy hormone balance include:

• Eating a nutrient-rich diet
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Reducing stress levels
• Getting adequate sleep
• Practicing self-care

By making these small yet impactful changes, you’re not only helping to improve your hormonal balance, but your overall quality of life, too. We can help you identify what changes or support you need for your overall wellness.

We’re Here to Help You Find Answers and Feel Better

You might have a hormonal imbalance if you’re experiencing symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, acne, or weight gain. Our team understands the importance of balancing your hormones. We can help you identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

We know it can be exasperating to have hormone issues when you are in your 20s and 30s. That’s why we’re here to help. Our approach involves a thorough assessment of what your body needs, and the best treatment options to help get your balance back.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to talk to our team about your hormonal imbalance concerns. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you.