Hormones help regulate many different processes in the body.
When your hormones are balanced, things tend to work as they should—from your emotions and digestion, to your sexual function and even your period. A hormone imbalance, on the other hand, can cause a variety of uncomfortable problems for women.
What is a Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones are pumped into the bloodstream by our endocrine glands, where they are able to interact with cells throughout the entire body. The hormones set off a stream of other signaling patterns in the cell to cause a reaction (i.e stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen). The endocrine system, aka the hormone regulators, also controls how many hormones are released at one time.
Hormonal imbalances are caused when your body produces too much or too little of one hormone or another.
Causes of Hormone Imbalances
While hormones, and the endocrine system in general, are being investigated by researchers on an ongoing basis, there could be many potential causes for excessive or deficient hormone production. Problems that occur in the endocrine system (that may lead to hormone imbalance) include:
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- Menopause and premature menopause
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
- Cushing syndrome
- Cancerous or benign tumors
- Hypogonadism
- Cancer treatments
- Thyroiditis
- Certain medications
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
If you think any of the above issues may be impacting your hormone levels, seek a diagnosis from your primary physician. Doctors diagnose hormone imbalances in a variety of ways, through blood tests, ultrasounds, and more. Depending on your systems, your doctor may also recommend an MRI, biopsy or pelvic exam to further examine your concerns.
Signs You May Have a Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can manifest in several ways throughout our bodies (and they’re not always obvious). Some of the most common signs are muscle aches (usually constant), frequent fatigue, and sudden & unexpected weight loss or gain.
Sometimes milder hormone imbalances are associated with mild or no symptoms at all. Do not neglect these.
If minor imbalances are not taken care of, it is very likely the imbalance grows and noticeable symptoms develop. Here are some indications that you’re dealing with a hormone imbalance:
- Heavy or irregular period
- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Constipation and mood swings
- Depression
- Swelling and pain in the joints
- Digestive problems
- Loss of muscle mass
- Hair loss
- Persistent acne and other skin issues
- Night sweats or hot flashes
- Infertility
- Changes in heart rate
Symptoms depend on the type and severity of your particular hormone imbalance. Like many women, you may experience unpleasant PMS symptoms associated with their hormone imbalances. Fortunately, taking FLO can support a healthy hormonal balance, and less (or no!) PMS symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes That Support Balanced Hormones
In addition to taking medications or supplements to help balance your hormones, you can also maintain optimal hormone balance by making certain lifestyle changes. As always, start by eating a healthy diet and managing your weight. You know the deal—plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats & proteins, and avoiding produce that has been exposed to pesticides. When deciding on meat and dairy, hormone-free is your best bet.
Being conscious of household goods is also important, because endocrine disruptors like xenoestrogens are found in many plastics are very easily absorbed through your skin. Store leftovers in glass containers rather than plastic (becauee food can absorb xenoestrogens, too) and don’t reheat food in anything plastic. Avoid bleached paper, such as the type found in some tissue paper and napkins. When in doubt, always go organic—even when it comes to paper goods.
And of course, do your best to minimize your stress levels. We all know that stress affects so many areas of our lives, and is a big culprit in irregular hormone production as well.
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The Best Natural Ways to Balance Hormones
We all want to feel like ourselves again, and the best way to manage hormones naturally is simply through natural supplements. Yes, FLO can help.
FLO contains 100% herbal ingredients and vitamins that have been shown to reduce hormonal acne, irritability, cramps, bloating, and pretty much all of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Since PMS is linked to hormone imbalances, it makes sense that taking a proactive approach to balance your hormones will help alleviate your PMS symptoms.
The nice thing about FLO is that it helps to alleviate hormone imbalance symptoms with minimal risk of complications. For best results, it’s recommended that you take FLO daily for at least two menstrual cycles to see full results. It takes time for the ingredients to work and help nudge your hormones into proper balance.
If you’re taking any prescription medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor about possible contraindications you may experience while taking FLO. The ingredients in FLO are all-natural and pretty straightforward, but only your physician can determine whether it’s safe for you to take it with your current medications.
To get started, give FLO a try and see how well it works for you. To learn more about the science-backed ingredients in our products, check out FLO’s PMS Relief gummy & capsule vitamins.
