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Area Woman Magazine Feb/Mar '21

Page 30

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HEALTH

WORDS : JOHN D E U STCH

IS IT HORMONES? Common Symptoms that may indicate a Hormonal Imbalance

H

ave you ever found yourself reacting strongly to something your significant other said or did? After the fact, you may have had a sort of "great and powerful Wizard of Oz" feeling that there was someone behind the curtain, pulling the levers of your mood. Sometimes we all let our emotions get the best of us, but there may be more to the story that we don't always consider: the body's chemical messengers, aka hormones.

While fluctuations in hormone levels during different stages of life, and specifically during PMS, peri-menopause and menopause are quite normal, sometimes those hormones can get too far out of balance, causing unpleasant and confusing symptoms that directly impact mood and behavior. This in turn impacts relationships with loved ones. Hormonal imbalance and fluctuations can cause many uncomfortable symptoms in both women and men. Specifically in women, commonly seen symptoms include: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: This may be indicative of low estrogen levels. Mood Swings, Depression and Irritability: Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine may be impacted by low estrogen levels.

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Headaches and Migraines: As estrogen levels decrease, headaches and migraines may occur, especially right before or during your period. Foggy Thinking and Memory Trouble: Estrogen and progesterone level changes may result in memory problems and not thinking clearly. Low Libido: Women with low testosterone levels sometimes experience a loss of sexual desire. Fatigue: Excessive levels of progesterone or low levels of thyroid hormones can bring about feeling excessively tired. Irregular Menstrual Cycle: A possible sign of too much or too little estrogen and progesterone. If you’re in your late 30s to early 50s, it can indicate perimenopause. Sleeping Problems: Sometimes caused by low progesterone levels.


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Area Woman Magazine Feb/Mar '21 by Lake & Home Magazine | Area Woman Magazine - Issuu