Keep your hormones in balance

What are the most common hormonal problems in women?

Hormonal imbalance is one of the health situations that most affects women in our times.

Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands and act to regulate several critical processes in the body, including metabolism, growth and development, mood, sexual function, and reproduction. One of the most common causes of female infertility is hormonal imbalance.

The most common hormonal alterations in women are the following:

1- Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, permanent or temporary, during the time that would be equivalent to 3 cycles or a period of 6 months.

Amenorrhea can be primary, that is when a woman has never had her period between the ages of 14 and 16, or secondary, that is, when after having had periods, they disappear for 6 or more months. And it can originate in the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary), respond to ovarian failure, or be in the genital area (vagina and uterus).

When, after the appearance of amenorrhea, pregnancy is ruled out, the most frequent causes of this are usually disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, or ovarian failure, among others.

2- Alteration of the hormonal profile: hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism is that women have a high level of androgens, that is, typically male hormones, such as testosterone.

This hormonal alteration produces hirsutism, an excess of dark and thick hair that begins to populate areas where male hair typically proliferates, such as the chin, upper lip, arms, lower back, linea alba, or lower back. mammary areolas. Signs of baldness, acne problems, menstrual irregularity, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure, among others, may also appear. One of the most common causes of hyperandrogenism is polycystic ovary syndrome.

3- Thyroid disorders: Thyroid dysfunction

Known as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, thyroid disorders can cause irregular menstrual cycles and impair a woman’s fertility. It is also important to keep the thyroid under control before and during pregnancy since it is associated with greater maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality.

The thyroid is a gland located in the front part of the neck and its function is to regulate hormones related to the endocrine system. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid works slower than it should and, conversely, in hyperthyroidism, the thyroid works faster than it should. In both cases, these changes can trigger weight changes, fatigue, general weakness, depression, constipation, irritability.

4– Hyperprolactinemia

When prolactin is high, it can cause amenorrhea, and it is a common fertility problem.

Prolactin is the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. If you want to get pregnant, your prolactin should be at normal levels, below 25 ng/ml. Hyperprolactinemia can have several causes. On the one hand, it can be caused by taking medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, hormones, or opiates, among others.

5- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder that causes ovulation problems and hyperandrogenism. PCOS is caused by an excess of LH (luteinizing) hormone and a high level of insulin, which together cause a woman’s body to produce a higher level of testosterone.

What happens in these cases is that the eggs do not finish maturing throughout the menstrual cycle and, instead of being expelled with menstruation, they remain in the ovaries generating small cysts.

6- Early menopause

Menopause is the process by which a woman gradually stops having menstruation, to begin a new stage of her life during maturity. It occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, approximately, and with it, the climacteric begins, at which time the woman leaves her fertile stage.

Precocious menopause can appear before the age of 40, thus damaging a woman’s fertility. When there is a family history, it is more likely to develop, as well as in cases of autoimmune diseases or hypothyroidism. Despite this, in almost all cases, early menopause does not have a specific cause.

If you are suffering from any of these hormonal imbalances we recommend that you consult your primary doctor but at the same time that you lead a healthy life where you prioritize:

1. A diet rich in vegetables: Go for brightly colored vegetables: green, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, red cabbage, red/white onion, tomatoes, and carrots, don’t overlook starchy vegetables: sweet potatoes, yucca, beets, artichokes, pumpkin, and turnips
2. A routine of frequent exercises, 4 to 5 times a week.
3. Take supplements that support you to have a balanced diet and supply your body with all the vitamins and minerals you need. We recommend the Super High potency for its content of Iron, B Complex, and all vitamins and minerals to support the optimal balance.