WHAT ARE NATURAL HORMONES?

In simplest terms, hormones are chemical messengers that move swiftly through our bloodstream and enter tissues where they turn on switches to the genetic machinery that regulate everything that happens in our bodies. Hormones can be thought of as the life giving force that controls our physical, mental and emotional well being.

Different glands and organs throughout the body produce hormones. For example, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, whereas the ovaries produce estrogens and progesterone. Other glands such as the pituitary and hypothalamus in the brain secrete hormones such as FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) that control how much estrogen and progesterone are produced by the ovaries.

About Hormones

The Main Female Hormones

• Estrogen • Progesterone • Testosterone • DHEA

Natural hormones are substances made by endocrine glands that regulate the activity of various cells and organs. They are released into the bloodstream and act like messenger molecules, transmitting important information to different parts of the body.

The more a woman understands about hormones and how they affect her body, mind and emotions, the more equipped she will be to manage their negative effects, and enhance their positive ones.

Click on the following link to find out more about hormones; or continue reading to learn about the problematic condition of hormonal imbalance.

About Hormonal Imbalance

In simple terms, a hormonal imbalance is when the body produces excessive amounts or insufficient amounts of certain hormones. Hormones influence all functions and cells within the body and so an imbalance can easily lead to many irritating symptoms or illness.

Types of Hormone Imbalance

• Adrenal Imbalance • Thyroid Function Imbalance • Insulin Imbalance • Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Many factors can affect a woman's hormone levels; for example puberty, menopause, stress, body weight, time of day and prescribed medications. Keep reading to find out how to test for hormone imbalance, in order to be able to correctly diagnose an abnormal fluctuation in hormone levels.

Hormone Tests

Hormone Tests Currently Available

• FSH Blood Level Measurement • Estrogen (Estradiol) Levels Test • Salivary Hormone Test • Ultrasound

Before embarking on a particular treatment route it is advisable for a woman suffering from hormone imbalance to get her hormone levels properly tested by a medical professional. These tests will indentify whether it is a hormonal imbalance that is in fact the root cause of a woman's health problems.

Click on the following link for more information about hormonal imbalance and how to test for this condition in the female body; or keep reading to learn about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms

• Hot flashes • Fatigue • Insomnia • Loss of libido • Weight gain and    bloating • Depression • Mood swings • Headaches • Joint pain • Hair loss and facial    hair growth • Dry skin

Hormonal Imbalance
Symptoms

Hormones regulate almost all key functions of a woman's body and so an imbalance can create a whole host of problems. The most common symptoms are listed at the right:

Click on the following link to learn more about hormone imbalance symptoms; or continue reading to discover the possible treatments for hormonal imbalance.

Treatments for Hormonal Imbalance

Although the symptoms of hormone imbalance can be troubling, the good news is that they can often be treated effectively in a healthy and natural way.

Lifestyle Changes

Initially, it is advisable that a woman should try to treat her hormone imbalance symptoms by incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes into her daily routine. Improving fitness, reducing stress and eating healthily will all have positive effects on a woman's hormone imbalance. Foods such as flax seeds, soy, and grapeseed oil all have a positive effect on hormone balance.

Lifestyle changes will help alleviate many symptoms, but they do not address the problem directly at the hormonal source and so further treatment may be necessary. Many agree that the most effective approach is to combine a few changes in lifestyle with alternative medicines.

Continue reading to discover how alternative medicines can rebalance hormones and greatly relieve symptoms.

Alternative medicines

Alternative medicines are a very effective way of treating hormonal imbalances in a safe and natural way. Herbal supplements are the easiest alternative treatment to follow and are the only viable option to treat the hormonal imbalance directly at its source. A combination of approaches is usually the most effective route to take. Lifestyle changes combined with alternative medicine will most likely be the best way to alleviate hormonal imbalance. As a last resort, due to the risks and side-effects, a woman may wish to consult a medical professional about more invasive medical treatments.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

One of the more commonly prescribed therapies to combat hormone imbalance is hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. In 2002 however a landmark study linked this therapy to breast and uterine cancer, stroke, and blood clotting. Hence it is important to think about if the risks outweigh the benefits with this type of treatment.

Click on the following link to view, in-depth, the possible treatments for hormonal imbalance, in order to be better informed about the many treatment options available for hormonal imbalance.