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Signs of Hormone Imbalance.
Do You Have Hormone Imbalance?

Feeling bloated, irritable, or not just your best? Shifts in your hormone could be to blame. Hormones are chemical "messengers" that impact the way your cells and organs function. It's normal for your levels of them to shift at different times of your life, such as before and during your period, or a pregnancy, or during menopause. But some medications and health issues can cause your levels to go up and down, too.

Appetite And weight Gain

You may gain weight during hormonal shifts, such as menopause. But hormonal changes don't directly affect your weight. Instead it's likely to happen because of other factors like, ageing or lifestyle. For example when you're feeling blue or irritated as you can be with your estrogen levels drop, you may want to eat more. It can also impact your body's level of leptin, a hunger--revving  hormone.

Sudden Weight Loss

Your thyroid glands helps control how fast your body turns food into fuel, as well as your heart rate and temperature. When it makes too many hormones or doesn't make enough--your weight can drop. If you've lost 10 pounds or more and haven't been working out more, or eating differently, let your doctor know. 

​Irregular Periods

Most women's period come every 21 to 35 days. If your doesn't arrive the same time every month, or you skip some months, it might mean that certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are too high or too low. 
The reason for that can be perimenopause -- the time before menopause -- if you're in your early 40s or 50s. But irregular can be symptoms of problems like polycystic ovary syndrome. Talk to a doctor.

​Sleep problems

If you aren't getting enough shut-eye, or the sleep you get isn't good, your hormones could be at play.  Progesterone, a hormone released by your ovaries, helps you catch ZZZs. When levels fall during your menstrual cycle, for example you may have a hard time falling asleep.
Low levels of estrogen can trigger hot flashes and night sweats, both of which can make it tough to get the rest you need. 

​Dry Skin

A shift in hormones can leave your skin parched. This can happen during menopause, when your skin naturally thins and can't hold into as moisture as it used to. A thyroid issue can also be to blame. A dermatologist can help improve the lok of your skin, but if you have other symptoms, you may also want to see your primary care provider. 

Memory Fog

Experts aren't sure exactly how hormones impact your brain. What they do know is that changes in estrogen and progesterone can make your head feel "foggy" and make it harder for you to remember things.  Some experts think estrogen might impact brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Attention and memory problems are evident especially during perimenopause and menopause. But they can also be a symptom or other hormone related causes like thyroid disease. So let your doctor know if you're having trouble thinking clearly. 

​Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

When your hormones like estrogen drop, others in your body like testosterone, start to have  bigger impact. The result is thinning loss or hair loss. You could notice this during pregnancy, menopause, or after you start birth control pills.

Loss of Libido

Most people think of testosterone as a male hormone, but women's bodies make it,too. If your testosterone levels are lower than usual, you might have less an interest in sex than you usually do.

​Breast Changes

A drop in estrogen can make your breast less dense. And an increase in this hormone can thicken this tissue, even causing new lumps or cysts. Talk to your doctor if you notice breast changes, even if you don't have any other symptoms that concern you.

Thirst

Both estrogen and progesterone can affect the amount of water in your body. When their levels change- like they do before or at the start or  your period-- you can find yourself more thirsty than usual.
Credit:WebMD