Moodswings, headaches, strained breasts, sleep problems, decreased fertility, fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, skin complaints and abdominal pain, just a sampling of a long list of complaints you can experience with hormonal imbalance. A lot of research has been done on the type and extent of complaints women experience in the area of their hormonal balance. The conclusion of the Radboud umc, among others, which has done research on this, is that an awful lot of women suffer from this. To give an example: of the menstruating women, 85% indicated that they have menstrual pain every month. In addition, over 70% of women reported suffering from psychological symptoms and fatigue around menstruation. A third of women with menstrual complaints even indicated that the complaints affect their daily lives*. And when it comes to menopause, there is a strikingly low percentage, only 20%, who do not experience any complaints; and as many as 80% do.
Because hormonal imbalance is so common, we almost start to see it as something that just comes with the territory. Yet, nature did not intend it this way because besides survival, the reproduction of humans (and animals) is evolutionarily the main purpose for the species to exist. So why is it that so many women struggle with a hormonal imbalance and the associated symptoms?
Possible causes of hormonal imbalance
To answer this properly, we want to preface that it is important to differentiate between hormonal imbalance due to a primary cause or as a result of lifestyle factors.
A primary cause may be, for example, that the hormones are not produced at all or not in the right concentration, because the control of them or the hormone gland itself is not functioning properly. Primary causes also include puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause, when of course the hormone balance is different.
Secondary causes are much more common and are usually in the area of disruptive lifestyle factors, think stress, medication, toxins, improper diet, etc.
First of all, being stressed too often or for too long is a big culprit when it comes to hormonal balance. For example, cortisol, a survival hormone released when stressed, has some of the same building blocks as the sex hormones progesterone, testosterone and estrogen. When there is frequent or prolonged stress, cortisol always takes precedence over the production of the other hormones mentioned above. Thus, there will be a deficiency and or imbalance of the other hormones.
So the presence of the right nutrients also plays a big role. In order to make hormones, you especially need the right fatty acids and proteins, as well as vitamins and minerals. So what you eat or don't eat has an impact on your hormone balance. Other causes include the influence of alcohol or drug abuse, toxins, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, lack of relaxation and the influence of negative beliefs and thoughts. The latter causes each affect hormonal balance in their own way, and it is too far for this blog to explain them all in more detail.
What hormones cause symptoms?
If you are struggling with hormonal symptoms, of course you would like them to disappear and as quickly as possible. What this requires is that you find out the cause and which hormones are out of balance. But how do you know exactly which hormones they are?
We have a good test for that, the "hormone test for women. With this we test the following hormones: AMH, FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and prolactin.
You simply receive the test through your mailbox at home. You take a blood sample yourself, by means of a finger prick, and then send the test to the lab. A therapist from Brain Balance will give you the result in a consultation. In the result you see in red, orange, yellow or green whether you have favorable or unfavorable values. Based on this, the therapist prepares a customized advice for you. In addition, you will receive knowledge about your possible hormone imbalance and tips and insights, so you can work independently.
When to test for hormones
Ideally, you should take the test 3-5 business days before the start of your period. This is because your hormone levels change during your cycle. You take the finger prick before 10 a.m. in the morning and when you are sober. You may drink water before it. Do not take it right after exercising or sexual activity as this can also affect the result.
You will send the test on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, due to laboratory closures on weekends.
Our therapists look with a holistic view and are therefore able to properly separate cause and effect. As a result, they focus not on the symptoms but on the underlying cause of your complaints. The self-healing capacity of the body is also addressed by following the advice. This allows you to recover much faster and the symptoms ease or disappear.
Would you like to know if a hormone test could do something for you? Schedule a consultation with one of our therapists and they will advise you on your next step toward a healthier and balanced life.