As a lifelong athlete, you know that taking care of your body is key. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and letting your body rest are crucial to staying healthy and preventing injuries. But what does it mean when you’re taking care of yourself yet your body is still exhausted, your skin is changing, and your mood isn’t stabilized? A likely cause is imbalanced hormones.

What Do Hormones Do to the Body?

Hormones play a vital role in our bodies throughout our lives, not just during puberty. They are chemical messengers that travel through your blood to your muscles, skin, organs, and other tissues. Hormones tell your body what to do and when, which is why they’re so crucial to your overall health. With over fifty different hormones serving unique functions, even a slight imbalance in one of them can lead to significant issues.

Your endocrine system produces and regulates these hormones. They control your appetite, metabolism, stress levels, mood, and much more. Because hormones are integral to healing injuries and maintaining overall wellness, imbalanced hormones can disrupt this harmony, making recovery and daily functioning challenging. At MedLink Health Solutions, we integrate hormone therapy into our naturopathic treatments to address these imbalances holistically.

Imbalanced Hormones in Men

Hormones are present in both men and women, but the balance and function of these hormones differ. Men typically have about twenty times more testosterone than women, and their hormones follow a 24-hour cycle. Testosterone peaks in the morning, levels off in the afternoon, and dips in the evening.

However, imbalanced hormones, particularly testosterone, can pose serious health risks. If a man experiences low testosterone or imbalances in other hormones, he might face symptoms such as:

• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Decrease in body and facial hair
• Fatigue and low energy
• Infertility
• Decreased libido and other mood-related issues

These symptoms of hormone imbalance can impact physical and emotional health, often requiring medical evaluation and treatment.

Imbalanced Hormones in Women

For women, estrogen and progesterone are the primary hormones regulating their reproductive systems and overall health. Estrogen influences everything from the menstrual cycle to bone health and skin condition, while progesterone helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy. When either of these hormones becomes unbalanced, women may experience a wide range of symptoms, such as:

• Night sweats
• Mood swings and depression
• Changes in appetite
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Hair thinning
• Puffy or swollen face

These signs of imbalanced hormones can overlap with other health issues, making it critical to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis.

What is Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance occurs when your body produces too much or too little of a specific hormone. These imbalances may arise naturally due to life stages like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, or they may result from factors such as stress, diet, or underlying medical conditions.

When left unaddressed, imbalanced hormones can trigger a domino effect, affecting metabolism, mood, sleep, and even chronic disease risk. Symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, and digestive issues might seem minor at first but could signify significant health problems if ignored.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Because hormones regulate critical bodily functions, symptoms of imbalanced hormones can manifest in various ways:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety or irritability
• Unexplained weight changes
• Muscle or joint pain
• Hair thinning or loss
• Puffy face
• Digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
• Changes in appetite
• Skin issues, such as acne or dryness

These symptoms often overlap with other conditions, underscoring the importance of seeking professional evaluation if you notice persistent changes in your health.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance

A variety of factors can contribute to imbalanced hormones, including:

• Natural Life Stages: Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are significant events where hormonal fluctuations occur.
• Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and sleep deprivation can all lead to imbalances.
• Environmental Toxins: Chemicals in plastics, scented candles, and cleaning products often mimic hormones and disrupt the endocrine system.
• Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases and injuries to endocrine glands can directly cause hormonal disruptions.

For instance, phthalates found in everyday items like scented candles and plastics can mimic natural hormones, wreaking havoc on your endocrine system.

The Dangers of Hormonal Imbalances in Your Body

Surprisingly, the most dangerous thing about hormonal imbalance is not the symptom itself, but what it may represent. Your body may be reacting with chemical changes due to a deeper issue that isn’t yet apparent and, if left untreated, can become extremely dangerous. 

In women, hormonal imbalance can signify polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cancer, and early-onset menopause, among other serious conditions. Men may be experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer as well as other serious health issues and be completely unaware. 

You only have one body, and you should take care of it as best you can. But even the biggest health enthusiasts can experience these imbalances and shrug them off as minor sickness and pay the consequences later. 

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms related to hormone imbalance, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. Something as “normal” in your life as fatigue could be part of a much bigger issue. 

The Most Common Types of Hormone Imbalances

Hormone imbalances can happen to men or women, but you may be more likely to have a certain imbalance over another due to your gender. Remember, hormone imbalance symptoms can be sneaky, so it’s important to pay attention to any new changes happening to your body. 

The most common hormonal imbalances in men and women include: 

• Low testosterone in men
• High testosterone in women 
• High estrogen levels
• Thyroid hormone imbalance 
• Insulin imbalance 
• Cortisol imbalance 

The Connection Between Hormonal Imbalances and Your Body Not Healing

As an athlete, you’re well aware of the painful yet crucial role inflammation plays in your body. Your body knows when it’s hurt, and inflammation is triggered to begin the healing process. It may be inconvenient to miss a pickleball game or two, but your body will pay the consequences if you do not allow it to heal.

Your hormones don’t become imbalanced randomly. They respond to the ecosystem of your body: your emotions, your diet, your thoughts—they all play a role in how your body functions. Taking care of your health starts from within and as a whole.

In naturopathic medicine, we believe in treating you as a whole human being rather than a body part suffering from symptoms. When your hormones aren’t in alignment, it’s difficult for the rest of your body to function properly, which is why it’s essential to take a deeper look into every aspect of your life. 

How Can I Check My Hormone Levels?

At MedLink Health Solutions, we provide thorough consultations to get to know you and properly treat you. This includes blood tests to check your hormone levels, micronutrient levels, and more. Your physician will determine your hormone levels to detect deeper health issues that are not visible on the surface and prevent future issues. Take note of any symptoms you have and freely discuss them with your doctor so you can receive a proper diagnosis. 

For your first blood draw, you may need to fast. Our team is quick with phlebotomy appointments, and we usually get results back within 1-2 weeks. In addition to detecting your hormone levels, blood tests can also detect certain diseases, food intolerances, allergies, and more. Our office conducts a comprehensive metabolic panel, a complete hormone and thyroid panel, a food sensitivity profile, micronutrient assays, and more. 

For more information on the benefits of routine blood work, check out our blog. 

How to Treat Hormonal Imbalances Naturally

Treating imbalanced hormones naturally involves addressing the root causes and supporting your body’s natural healing processes. Some effective strategies include:

• Regular exercise to stabilize hormone production
• Adopting a plant-rich, whole-food diet
• Reducing alcohol and processed food consumption
• Prioritizing quality sleep
• Managing stress through techniques like yoga or meditation

Unlike traditional medications, naturopathic treatments aim to recalibrate your body’s balance without harsh side effects.

Feel the MedLink Difference

At MedLink Health Solutions, we treat you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. Our compassionate approach focuses on finding and addressing the root cause of imbalanced hormones, helping you regain your energy, stability, and quality of life. Don’t let symptoms hold you back—schedule an appointment today and experience the MedLink difference.

Do Not Wait to Get Tested

Do not become a statistic. Your hormones play a vital role in your health, and no symptom should be ignored. By taking charge of your health, you can return to the golf course, pickleball court, or gym sooner than you know it. Feel the MedLink difference, and schedule your appointment today.