Problems With The Master Gland
The pituitary gland is a small structure located at the base of the brain. It is known as the “master gland” because it produces several hormones that affect many bodily processes and other endocrine glands. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland include prolactin, growth hormone , thyroid-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone , adenocorticotropin , and follicle-stimulating hormone . The pituitary gland also releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. A pituitary gland tumor is the most common kind of pituitary disorder. They are usually benign . Sometimes these tumors secrete more or less of hormones made by the pituitary gland. Other tumors don’t secrete anything. Some pituitary tumors produce symptoms because they grow large enough to affect the functioning of the pituitary gland or surrounding brain structures.
Increased Susceptibility To Infections
Estrogen levels that are either too high or too low can lead to more infections. Too much estrogen can lead to chronic yeast infections and too little estrogen can lead to more urinary tract infections.
Many of the female hormone imbalance symptoms seem to be found mostly in menopausal women, but its not the only time this imbalance can hit you.
Age is often a causative factor in these symptoms, but medications like birth control pills can also have an effect on your body chemistry. Of course, pregnancy pushes your hormones in directions you dont often expect. Other things can lead to hormonal imbalance as well. Some women are genetically likely to have this kind of situation. Irregular sleep patterns, not enough exercise, and diet can all cause your hormonal imbalance. Researchers and clinicians are also seeing stress as a contributing factor to female hormone imbalance symptoms.
Reasons Your Doctor Cant Give You A Hormone Imbalance Test
You may wonder why your doctor cant give you a quick test to determine if all your hormones are in balance. Testing hormones is very different from testing cholesterol or iron in your blood because your hormone levels are always changing, day by day, even hour by hour. They change based on where you are in your menstrual cycle, when you last ate, what your other hormones are doing, how stressed you are, and many other factors. Thats why a single hormone check cant really tell you if all your hormones are balanced.
Secondly, asking your doctor to check your hormones is a huge request. The human body produces more than 50 hormones! Hormones include melatonin adrenaline , oxytocin , cortisol , and progesterone , just to name a few.
The best way to discover if specific hormones are out of balance is by telling your doctor which symptoms you are experiencing so they can narrow down what should be checked and when. Your symptoms are your doctors first clues about what could be wrong.
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Increased Risk Of Sleep Apnea
The risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women during and after menopause. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. OSA occurs when muscles in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. People who have this type of sleep apnea often snore. Researchers who performed one study found that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who had lower estrogen levels were more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than women who had higher estrogen levels. More studies are needed, but women who feel tired or who have unrefreshing sleep should see their doctors to assess hormone levels and discuss risk factors and testing for sleep apnea.
Male Hormone Imbalance And Fatigue
Just like other conditions related to Male Hormone Imbalance, fatigue can be directly or indirectly linked to it too. Male Hormone Production is a huge part of a mans energy levels. So when Andropause causes the amount of testosterone being produced in the male body to decrease, his energy level goes down. This direct link between Male Hormone Imbalance and lowered energy levels can be the beginning, middle and end of what causes fatigue in a man or just one of several other contributing factors.
Lifestyle, nutritional and exercise changes may be a way for a man to reverse the effects of fatigue, but for many, it may require a visit to a licensed Male Rejuvenation and Health Facility staffing qualified physicians. When you visit a NuMale medical center, our doctors can have a mans hormone levels tested to help determine if Male Hormone Imbalance is at the root of their fatigue. Results usually come on the same visit.
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Bruising And Dry Skin
Estrogen plays an important role in the maintenance of your skin, as it stimulates the production of collagen and oils that keep it moist and tight. When levels of estrogen decline, this stimulation is reduced and your skin becomes drier and prone to bruising, and you may even break out into spots more often.
Other Factors That May Be Involved
At the root of so many of our hormonal fatigue problems we can find stress. Stress from work, conflict, a busy life, gut issues, food intolerances, inflammation, HIIT exercise, toxins It all counts.
If theres one thing you do as a result of reading this, make a list of the stressors in your life and see how you can start to limit these. Oh, and meditate.
Outside of hormones and stress, there may be other factors behind your fatigue, such as:
- Not getting quality sleep – if you suffer from hot flashes , or if you find yourself waking up regularly, you may be getting poor sleep. Improve your sleep hygiene and revamp your sleep routine.
- Nutrient deficiencies – a number of vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been linked to fatigue. Key nutrients to pay attention to are iron , vitamin B12, omega3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. We like to ensure were getting adequate nutrients by supplementing with BePure One, BePure Three and Vit D.
- Hydrate to stay awake! – not drinking enough water can also cause fatigue.
Looking for more information?Head over to our FAQs page where you can find out about Eve, what the Eve Hormone Balance Test measures, when the best time to test your hormones is, and more.
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The Link Between A Hormone Imbalance And Fatigue
Hormones are tiny but powerful chemicals. Made by your endocrine glands, these chemicals direct many vital body functions. Though your body only needs a small amount of hormones to make things happen, any slight change in production can send your body into disarray.
Though an imbalance in hormone levels may cause a wide range of symptoms, you may find fatigue one of the most troublesome.
At Central Clinic in Spring Hill, Florida, our family medicine expert, Dr. Poonam Malhotra, specializes in diagnosing and treating fatigue. Though fatigue is a symptom of many health problems, a hormone imbalance is one of the most common causes.
Here, we want to share with you the link between hormone imbalance and fatigue.
What Causes Fatigue In Men
Fatigue is the state of feeling tired or exhausted and can be one of the more devastating effects of Male Hormonal Imbalance. Andropause can make men feel a decrease in energy levels, making daily tasks that were once routine difficult to complete. These tasks can be more physically demanding day-to-day chores like housecleaning and yard work, or include more extreme examples like lacking the energy to even tie your shoes or comb your hair. Fatigue can even be the cause behind cognitive issues such as lack of concentration or memory lapses.
Because of its ability to sap the energy of men to the point of not being able to complete, or even be motivated to do, everyday tasks, fatigue can have a range of effects.
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Cause #: Pushing Yourself Too Much
One cause is when you push yourself beyond your bodys capabilities.
But for most women, fatigue isnt caused by something they can point to and say that it happened because they overdid it. It builds over time to when youve exhausted your bodys capabilities, yet are not able to understand when it started. What matters there is to review everything that you are doing so that you can get a clearer idea as to where you are pushing yourself too much.
Imagine that you are working from home. You are getting up, and the first thing you do is check your emails. Then you go on through the day, working hours after hours, barely taking a break for lunch. Then comes the evening and you are so exhausted that you dont make the best choices for your meals. Or you are even too exhausted to cook. This builds up over time.
Warning Signs You May Have A Hormonal Imbalance
No-one wants to be a slave to their hormones but how do you know if they are out of sync and what can you do to restore the balance?
Hormonal imbalances may be to blame for a range of unwanted symptoms from fatigue or weight gain to itchy skin or low mood.
Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system and released into the bloodstream. An imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone.
Your hormones are important for regulating many different processes in the body including appetite and metabolism, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles and sexual function, body temperature and mood.
No surprise then that even the slightest imbalance may have a noticeable effect on your overall health and wellbeing.
Levels of hormones naturally fluctuate at various life stages, most noticeably during puberty and in women during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and the menopause. They can also be affected by lifestyle and certain medical conditions.
What is important is to notice any symptoms and get them checked out by a qualified health professional so that you receive appropriate treatment, whether that involves using medication or complementary therapies, or making lifestyle changes, to restore the balance and your good health.
Here are 10 signs of hormonal imbalance to look out for and what you can do about them:
8. Headaches: Many women suffer headaches due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.
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Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Anxiety
Yes, certain hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety, including:
- Hyperthyroidism: If you have hyperthyroidism, it means your body has too much thyroid hormone. Excess thyroid hormone speeds up your metabolism. This can cause anxiety, in addition to unusual nervousness, restlessness and irritability.
- Cushings syndrome: While its not as common of a symptom, Cushings syndrome can cause anxiety, as well as depression and irritability.
- Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency: Adults with growth hormone deficiency often report having anxiety and/or depression.
Several other conditions and factors can cause anxiety. Its important to talk to your healthcare provider if youre experiencing anxiety.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones have to work together in balance to help your body thrive. However, hormone ups and downs in women are very common, so if you feel that you have a hormonal imbalance, you are not alone.
Doctors from WebMD say that some of the common causes of an imbalance in hormone production in women are pre-menstrual syndrome, pregnancy, and the menopause. However, other lifestyle factors can cause hormones to fluctuate. Being overweight, not getting enough exercise, or a lack of sleep can all throw your hormones off balance.3
Other reasons for hormone fluctuations are an underactive thyroid that doesnt produce enough thyroxine . Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that hypothyroidism can leave you feeling lethargic, cause changes in your menstrual system, or make it difficult to lose weight.4
Also, diabetes is a common cause of hormonal imbalances and can affect, not just the insulin hormone, but also other blood sugar-related hormones, sex hormones, and growth hormones.5
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Growth Hormones And Sleep
Sleep directly impacts growth hormones, which help us develop when were young, and promote healing and repair throughout our lives. Given the fast-paced, stressful lives most of us live, its crucial to get a full nights sleep and allow our bodies the time to rest and repair over time.
Rebalancing and healing your hormones and insomnia doesnt happen overnight. Your first step should be talking to a professional and getting on a treatment plan so that the changes youre hoping for are permanent. In the meantime, there are a ton of ways to help support your journey to dreamland, like practicing good sleep hygiene.
Can Hormones Cause Acne
Many women experience monthly breakouts before or during their period. However, chronic acne is something different. Acne that does not go away may be due to excess androgens, male hormones like testosterone that both women and men have. Excess levels of these androgens make oil glands extra productive and contributes to jawline acne from hormonal imbalance. Androgens also affect skin cells that line hair follicles. Excess oil and skin cell changes clog pores, leading to acne. A doctor may prescribe birth control pills, corticosteroids like prednisone , or anti-androgen medications to treat hormonally influenced acne. High androgen. levels may sometimes indicate polycystic ovary syndrome . Women with PCOS may experience infertility. High insulin levels can stimulate the production of androgens and may be associated with insulin resistance. Weight loss can help reverse insulin resistance.
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Can A Professional Help With Hormones Causing Insomnia And Adrenal Fatigue
To restore your hormonal balance, you must first address your adrenal function. Since your adrenals help regulate hormones that cause insomnia, helping to heal your adrenals first is imperative.
For good sleep hygiene to be possible, youll need to work on a few things at home, as well as with a professional. The first step is to identify and treat any nutrient deficiencies. This helps your body heal and your adrenals to feel less stressed from within. From there, we start to balance your hormones. How is that done? Through the treatment of your underlying Adrenal Fatigue.
I can work with you and explain how to stop damaging the sleep centers in the brain with excess cortisol and adrenaline. Creating a plan together, well focus on repairing and restoring damage from stress hormones by setting guidelines for lifestyle choices.
Discover Dr. Neville’s
Adrenal Fatigue Treatment Program
Adrenal Fatigue patients deserve the best care to get their lives back. Learn how Dr. Neville and his expert team can help you overcome the debilitating symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue for good.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, theres a broad range of signs and symptoms that could signal a hormonal imbalance. Your signs or symptoms will depend on which hormones or glands are not working properly.
Common hormonal conditions affecting people of all genders could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
- purple or pink stretch marks
Keep in mind that these symptoms are nonspecific. Having one or a few of them doesnt necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance.
Some of these symptoms may also reflect other chronic conditions. So, if you find yourself dealing with any notable changes in your body or energy levels, its a good idea to talk with your doctor.
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Is Hormone Imbalance Distressing You
Do you have any of the signs we mentioned? If so, its time to take a closer look at your hormones and consider hormone therapy. Hormonal imbalances can cause some pretty serious health problems if left untreated.
But dont worry most imbalances are relatively easy to fix. And although they can result from many factors, theres help available.
Your first step is to consult an experienced BHRT doctor. Theyll be able to find out whats going on for you and advise you on how best to get back into balance.
Hormone Problems That Start In The Brain
The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain that lies near the pituitary gland. It helps regulate hormone secretion in various parts of the body, controlling functions like body temperature, mood, hunger, thirst, sleep, fatigue, sex drive, and circadian rhythms. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus may produce many symptoms depending on which hormone systems are affected. Supplementing hormone levels that are low may help relieve symptoms. If the hypothalamus is malfunctioning due to the presence of a tumor, treating the tumor may provide relief.
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Hormone Loss Causes Fatigue Symptoms
The one thing most healthcare providers dont consider is hormone evaluation and restoration for fatigue symptoms.
The one thing most healthcare providers dont consider is hormone evaluation and restoration for fatigue symptoms.
There are many reasons for hormone decline leading to fatigue symptoms. The first reason is the hormone decline in DHEA, testosterone, and thyroid hormone that occurs with aging. Another is the loss of hormones with the perimenopause and menopause transitions.
Low thyroid function due to nutritional deficiencies can cause fatigue symptoms at any age, even in young people. Also, an autoimmune thyroid disease called Hashimotos thyroiditis is another cause of fatigue symptoms.
Surgery for removal of the ovaries in women can cause Androgen InsufficiencySyndrome with low sex drive, low motivation, and severe fatigue symptoms.
Stress is another cause of hormone loss with resulting fatigue symptoms.
How Hormones Affect Your Energy Levels
Your hormones are chemicals that play a key role in controlling your bodys processes for example, your body temperature and heart rate. If these powerful chemicals are out of balance, even by a small amount, they can cause a wide range of symptoms. This includes feeling tired and having trouble sleeping.
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