Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system that tell your cells, tissues, and organs what to do.
According to the Center for Disease Control Female Hormonal Imbalance occurs when hormones rise above or drop below normal levels in the bloodstream.
Bramwell Omboto a Nurse at Wellcare Medical Center, Nyari says that hormones help regulate many important functions in a female's body.
"Your hormones are important for regulating many different processes in the body including appetite and metabolism, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, body temperature, and mood, thus there is no surprise that even the slightest hormone imbalance may and will definitely have a noticeable effect on your overall health and wellbeing."
Hormone levels in women normally fluctuate at certain times, such as before or during menstruation, during pregnancy, or menopause he expounds.
"Female hormone imbalance is common in adrenaline, steroid hormones, growth hormones, insulin, estrogen or progesterone the hormone produced by your ovaries that helps you sleep." Adds Bramwell
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He continues that hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, a broad range of signs and symptoms could signal a hormonal imbalance.
"Many women suffer headaches due to hormonal imbalance during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. Also, it's important to note that hair loss is a sign of an imbalance of several hormones such as lower levels of the thyroid hormone can be the main reason for these.
These imbalances can lead to an adult's chronic acne and also lead to worsening skin concerns which is a sign of low levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Fluctuating hormone levels are associated with weight gain, the high levels of estrogen, cortisol, and insulin mostly lead to extra weight gain around your abdomen and sometimes the falling of the estrogen levels may also contribute to night sweats which disrupt your sleep, contributing to fatigue and lack of energy." Says Bramwell
Long-term hormonal imbalances might increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, kidney disease, cancer, infertility, anxiety, and depression. So, if you think your hormone levels might be imbalanced, it's important to get them checked as per the Cleveland Clinic.
Valine Anyango a Clinician at Yoshwa Hospital in Mombasa County, Bamburi says that lifestyle habits can also prevent or sometimes reduce the female hormonal imbalance.
"Maintaining a healthy body weight, performing regular and also physical exercise, eating a balanced diet with reduced levels of stress and practising self-regulation such as deep breathing, yoga, having a positive visualization and meditation to manage stress with also avoiding spicy foods and drinks while minimizing sugary foods and packaged foods and finally purchasing organic fruits and vegetables that have not been sprayed with pesticides will help in the reduction of the female hormonal imbalance and boost them back to a normal level." Says Ms Anyango
Treatment for hormonal imbalances is determined by the specific cause and highly tailored to each woman.
"Each female may require a different regimen of treatment, medical treatments and lifestyle changes show the best long-term results" she concludes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, while many hormonal imbalances aren't preventable, there are certain things you can do to optimize your overall health, which could help keep your hormones balanced.
Cleveland Clinic says maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced, healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing your stress, and quitting smoking or use of tobacco products, if you smoke are some of the preventive measures for hormonal imbalance