Signs You Need Hormone Testing
Wrriten by Alison Bhattacharyya
Gaining weight for no reason, tired all the time, having irregular periods? All of these unpleasant symptoms can be due to a hormone imbalance. There are some significant signs you need hormone testing. Keep reading to discover what they might be.
Let’s Start With Hormones
What are they, and where do they come from? We have over 50 hormones in our body, and they come from glands in our endocrine system. They regulate our bodily functions and our metabolism. Too much of one hormone or not enough can affect our body and our health. This constitutes an imbalance.
Some Common Signs You Need Hormone Testing
Changes In Your Menstrual Cycle
Some women are steady as a heavy rainstorm — their period shows up on the same day every month, no changes. If suddenly you begin to miss periods, have irregular ones not on the week you expect it, or even heavier blood flow, there could be something affecting your body. Make an appointment with Ko’olau Women’s Healthcare in Kailua or Honolulu to find out what’s going on.
Changes With Your Hair
As you get older, you may find the hair on your body is getting thinner, and it’s falling out more easily. That includes your head, arms and legs.
On the other hand, your hair growth may make you feel like a werewolf. Suddenly it’s everywhere it never was before, like above your lip, yikes, or under your chin.
These two changes could be due to a number of imbalances:
- High or low thyroid hormones.
- Low estrogen.
- High testosterone.
- Menopause symptoms.
Zits
You thought you were through with that phase of your life, when suddenly there they are again. This is commonly due to excess testosterone known as androgen hormones.
Gaining Weight
This is definitely the worst! You haven’t changed your diet, you still exercise, and suddenly you are packing on the pounds.
This can happen with menopause, but if you are still having regular periods, this could be due to your thyroid gland, cortisol, or insulin. Definitely have it checked out.
Perimenopause and Menopause
The Queen of hormone problems. Numerous hormone changes occur during this time period in a woman’s life which can sometimes last years.
Common signs include:
- Night sweats.
- Mood changes and irritability.
- Hot flashes.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Lower libido.
- Sleep disturbances.
A woman going through this time usually exhibits many of these hormonal imbalance signs. Almost all will respond to treatment to rebalance loss of hormones.
Contact Ko’olau Women’s Healthcare today if you think you may need hormone therapy.