Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel through your blood to different organs, giving them signals of what to do. Originating in the endocrine glands, your hormones control major processes in your body, including metabolism, reproduction, stress levels, mood, heart rate, appetite, and sexual functions. This means that an imbalance in your hormones can have devastating effects on your body. In fact, if not treated by an Edmond, OK hormone replacement specialist, hormonal imbalance can make your life unbearable. Here is a look at five ways how.

Mood Swings

Hormonal imbalances can cause extreme mood changes. And while it is normal to feel moody from time to time, depression, anxiety, anger, or irritability can be so severe or random as to cause distress. In fact, hormonal imbalance-related mood swings can get in the way of your daily activities. This is more commonly seen when experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is because, during PMS or PMDD, your estrogen levels may affect norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Your digestive tract is lined with estrogen and progesterone receptors that affect digestive function. When the levels of these hormones fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, you may experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, stomach pain, and bloating. Mood swings and fatigue may also accompany these symptoms.

Insulin Resistance

The insulin hormone helps your body maintain healthy blood sugar levels. When your body breaks down food into glucose, insulin works to transport the glucose to your cells. Here, glucose is converted into energy for your cells. Hormonal imbalance can cause insulin resistance. This condition is characterized by excess sugar in your body and resistance to glucose delivery to the cells. Untreated insulin resistance can cause obesity and increase your risk of diabetes.

Insomnia and Sleeping Difficulties

As mentioned earlier, your hormones regulate your sleep patterns. Hormone imbalances can, therefore, cause sleep difficulties and insomnia. More specifically, the hormonal fluctuations that occur during perimenopause and menopause often cause a lowered quality of sleep. This is usually due to the reduced levels of progesterone, which promotes sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, lower levels of progesterone can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep. Lower levels of estrogen, which are characteristic of menopause, can also make your body more sensitive to heat. This can further increase your difficulties in falling asleep.

Focus Problems

Also called brain fog, focus problems are a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome and menopause. This inability to focus is usually caused by hormone fluctuations that are common during these periods and can cause you to forget things regularly. You may find that you walk into a room only to forget what you wanted from it or keep misplacing your keys. Brain fog is often temporary.

Consider Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone imbalance does not always cause uncomfortable symptoms. However, this does not negate the fact that it can increase your risk of serious health conditions. This is why doctors advise you to seek treatment for hormone imbalances the moment you notice any problems. An excellent intervention option is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which uses natural hormones derived from plant-based materials to restore your hormone levels. To learn more, contact a certified provider today.