If you find yourself scouring the internet for a hormone imbalance checklist, you're not alone!

Are you struggling with basic bodily functions like sleep, appetite control, weight gain or a diminished libido? It could be a sign that your hormone levels are out of whack. Take a peek at our hormone imbalance checklist for red flags to watch out for.

Why do hormones matter?

Think of your hormones as an orchestra. Your hormones control almost everything. They are potent chemicals responsible for regulating bodily functions. They transmit signals from your bloodstream to muscles, organs, and tissues, directing them on what to do, how, and when to do it. It's a precision-driven process they are in charge of.

When your body produces too much or too little of a specific hormone, it can lead to an imbalance, resulting in numerous unpleasant, frustrating symptoms. The signs of hormonal imbalance can vary depending on the kind of hormone your body is overproducing or lacking.

Gender and age play their part too. Women are usually more susceptible to suffering, due to hormonal fluctuations during their entire reproductive life and to the natural decrease and interruption of estrogen levels over the years.

Hormone Imbalance Checklist

Here are symptoms that may cue you have a hormone imbalance issues:

• PMS
• Painful periods
• Skin problems
• Irregular periods
• Bloating
• Hot flashes
• Breast tenderness
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Low libido
• Fatigue
• Poor sleep / Insomnia
• Mood changes
• Anxiety, depression, brain fog, irritability, mood swings etc.
• Difficulty concentrating
• Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Constipation, diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements
• Numbness and tingling in your hands
• Cold hands and feet
• Higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels
• Muscle weakness

We’re going to pull out a few of these to look at more closely.

PMS, PMDD or Painful Periods

Cramps, bloating, mood changes, headaches, acne, anxiety, breast tenderness… These are all very common symptoms for many women around their period. 

In many women, PMS or PMDD occurs because of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. High levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone levels are the reason for severe periods. 

Sometimes the issue is your gut and how it processes these hormones. The estrobolome is a collection of bacteria in the gut which is capable of metabolising and modulating the body’s circulating estrogen. It is the bacteria in the gut, and the estrobolome, that affects estrogen levels, which in turn can impact weight, libido and mood. If your gut is not working properly, you could become estrogen dominant. This means you are not eliminating spent estrogen but instead recirculating back into your body leading to an oversupply of estrogen and PMS symptoms.

Thus, for a healthy and pain-free period, it is important to maintain balance between progesterone and estrogen levels, and to maintain good gut health.

Weight Gain

Struggling to shed those extra pounds despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet? The culprit might be lurking in your hormones.

Weight gain, seemingly inexplicable, often stems from shifts in your metabolism—the intricate chemical processes that convert food into energy within your body.

At the heart of your metabolic function lies thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The next time you step on the scales, you might indirectly discern whether your thyroid is overproducing or underproducing thyroxine.

Hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient thyroxine levels, often accompanies weight gain and persistent fatigue. Conversely, hyperthyroidism, marked by an overactive thyroid, can accelerate metabolism, leading to weight loss.

In addition to thyroid malfunction, weight gain can also be commonly associated with the following:

Sexual hormone imbalance (when going through menopause and andropause, or other sexual health conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome – PCOS).

• Pancreas dysfunction (leading to diabetes)
• Pituitary imbalance
• Skin problems

Skin Problems

If you’re experiencing skin problems, chances are, again, that your hormones are not balanced.

Skin problems can also serve as telltale signs of hormonal irregularities. Excessive androgen production by reproductive organs or adrenal glands can trigger acne by disrupting sebum regulation, even among adults.

Low libido

For most women, hormones are at the heart of a lackluster libido. In fact, hormonal imbalances are the cause of 70% of low-libido cases. Hormones are constantly changing, and when they do, your libido changes, too. The good thing is that if hormones are behind your low libido, there are ways to balance them and make them work for you and your sex life.

Low libido can stem from declining testosterone and estrogen levels as you age. These imbalances may also manifest in symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, and hot flashes.

High cortisol (think lots of stress) is a common culprit. To decrease cortisol in the body, it’s important to make time for self-care. This could be a daily walk, time for your hobbies, yoga or meditation. A regular exercise routine is essential for a healthy libido as well, so hit that gym!

Herbal remedies may help as well. If your cortisol levels are abnormally high or low, you can try taking an herb called ashwagandha, which helps reduce cortisol in the body and improve resistance to stress.

If low estrogen is the issue, you can add maca powder to your smoothies. Maca has been shown to boost libido in both men and women.

Anxiety, depression, mood swings, and other mental issues

Hormones play a critical role in maintaining optimal mental health.

The adrenal hormone governs the body's stress response by regulating cortisol production. Initially intended to initiate the "fight or flight" response during moments of danger, excessive cortisol levels can result in elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heightened muscle tension.

When cortisol levels become imbalanced, it can lead to additional symptoms such as profound fatigue, heightened anxiety, and brain fog.

Furthermore, the sex hormones we previously discussed also influence neurotransmitters like serotonin—a vital chemical for fostering positive emotions. When these hormones are out of balance, it can contribute to feelings of low mood, potentially leading to depression.

How to fix your hormones

Good nutrition, exercise and adequate self-care are important for hormone balance. But we know everyone is short of time, so supplements are a great hack for good overall health and hormone balance. We recommend Ladywell’s Daily Hormone Balance for overall hormone support. It will help greatly with the impact of stress and environmental toxins on the body.

Here are ways Ladywell will help:

✔️ Supports healthy hormonal balance

✔️ Supports egg health & fertility

✔️ Alleviates PMS & mood swing

✔️ Supports postpartum recovery

✔️ Relieves symptoms of perimenopause

✔️ Promotes healthy weight loss & curbs cravings

✔️ Supports stress relief & boosts energy

✔️ Improve sleep quality

✔️ Reduces bloating and hormonal acne