Hormone imbalances are a common cause of fatigue, insomnia, mood changes, anxiety, brain fog, weight gain, and low energy in women. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and other hormones can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether hormones may be contributing to your symptoms.
We all have to cope with gray hair and wrinkles at some point. However, a hormone imbalance causes sleep and mood symptoms as you age and move through the more senior years of your life.
Women are used to moving through shifts in their bodies: they go through menstrual changes every month for most of their lives, and the immense changes involved during pregnancy. And we all have to go through the sharp up and downs of adolescence, no matter who we are.
But what about later in life?
Many women begin to notice hormone imbalance symptoms, such as brain fog, fatigue, irritability and mood swings after 30. These are the symptoms of perimenopause with others below:
- Hot flashes
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
- Worsening premenstrual syndrome
For a lot of women, the frustration centers around their image—and their weight, plus the inability to lose weight, specifically. For others, it’s sleeping soundly through the night.
But not everyone has to go through these negative changes in their health and happiness. And not all women will: how much you are affected by a hormone imbalance depends on genes to some degree, as well as your lifestyle.
Lifestyle factors that worsen your chances of experiencing the negative hormonal symptoms of aging include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
Stress plays a vital role. Stress drains your hormones raising the likelihood that you’ll sleep poorly, gain weight and struggle to lose it, experiencing mood imbalance.
As we age, the female body naturally produces less progesterone and estrogen, which are responsible for our brain function, sex drive, and skin texture.
Because of these drops in hormones, and the symptoms that come along with their decline, women chose to pursue synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, this type of HRT has been deemed to be slightly unsafe, which is why its use is restricted. Only the smallest amount for the shortest amount of time is recommended to be balanced.
But a new type of HRT has recently become popular: bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
This type of treatment uses hormones with the same chemical structure as the hormones that are naturally found in our bodies. The hope is that the body will recognize and balance these hormones more efficiently and will be able to use them in precisely the same way.
Bio-identical hormones are often taken in pellet form. They have been shown to be safer than the substances used in synthetic hormone replacement therapies.
However, before you do consider taking bio-identical hormones, or any other type of HRT, to alleviate the symptoms associated with aging and the menopause, caution must be taken. Be sure to work with a doctor that is well-schooled in this relatively new type of therapy.
Begin with a baseline using a blood or saliva test to evaluate your body’s natural hormone levels. Get all your hormone levels tested regularly if undergoing HRT of any kind. Hormones work together in your body, thyroid problems need to be well monitored throughout.
Doctors guiding you through the lifestyle changes to support your body’s natural ability to produce and synthesize hormones is recommended. Certain types of hormone imbalance problems can point to nutrient deficiencies, one particularly important nutrient is Vitamin D.
The key to moving through your senior years gracefully as a mature woman? Taking good care of yourself and seeking help to check for hormone imbalance.
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Yes. Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormones all influence sleep quality. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause are among the most common causes of insomnia in women.
Hormones help regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Estrogen and progesterone influence sleep quality, while cortisol and melatonin affect the body's internal clock. When hormone levels become imbalanced, falling asleep and staying asleep can become more difficult.
Yes. Hormonal changes can affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which help regulate mood and emotional well-being. Many women notice increased anxiety during PMS, perimenopause, and menopause.
Hormonal fluctuations may contribute to depression, irritability, mood swings, and emotional sensitivity in some women. Estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol can all influence mood regulation.
Yes. Hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and changing estrogen and progesterone levels frequently contribute to sleep disturbances during perimenopause and menopause.
Persistent fatigue may be related to hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, cortisol abnormalities, poor sleep quality, nutritional deficiencies, sleep apnea, or other underlying health conditions.
Yes. Many women report difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, mental fatigue, and reduced focus during perimenopause and menopause as hormone levels fluctuate.
Women throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Gastonia, Huntersville, Lake Wylie, Denver, Matthews, Fort Mill, and surrounding communities often seek answers at Signature Wellness when they experience fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, low libido, menopause symptoms, weight gain, or other signs of hormone imbalance.
Dr. Deborah Matthew founded Signature Wellness in 2006 and is widely recognized as one of the Charlotte area's most experienced physicians in hormone optimization and functional medicine. She is an internationally recognized physician, best-selling author, educator, speaker, and board examiner who has trained healthcare providers around the world in hormone health and functional medicine.
Dr. Matthew has helped thousands of women identify and address the root causes of symptoms related to hormone imbalance, menopause, thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, and healthy aging. At Signature Wellness, women receive a personalized evaluation that may include hormone testing, thyroid assessment, metabolic evaluation, lifestyle analysis, and individualized treatment recommendations designed to help them regain their energy, sleep better, improve their mood, and age well.
