Estrogen and progesterone hormones play vitally important roles in menstruation and reproduction. Thus it is important that during pregnancy women have balanced hormone levels. Having a hormonal imbalance pregnancy can cause many problems for expectant mothers. Although many women do not have to consider these issues, it is important that women keep in the best health to avoid a hormonal imbalance pregnancy.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
Progesterone and estrogen hormones are steroidal sex hormones that are produced in the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and the placenta during pregnancy. They help to control many different systems in the body and there are many different symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Difficulty conceiving or risk of miscarriages
- Muscle ache
- Breast pain
- And weight gain among others
Hormonal imbalance describes an uneven amount of estrogen and progesterone hormones in the body, which leads to either estrogen or progesterone dominance.
How Does Hormonal Imbalance Occur?
Women may experience hormonal imbalance pregnancy when the body is placed under strain. For example during pregnancy the body's estrogen and progesterone hormone levels naturally become much higher. This is due to the important role that estrogen and progesterone play in the body. For example progesterone hormones:
- Lower the immune system and prepare the uterus to accept a foreign body (the fetus)
- Protect the vaginal wall from infection
- And prevent the breasts from lactating prematurely, among other things.
Thus, when the hormone levels increase some women may become hormonal imbalance. This is when hormonal imbalance pregnancy can occur.
How Can Hormonal Imbalance Pregnancy Be Diagnosed?
It is easy for women to have their progesterone and estrogen hormone levels measured. After a visit to a medical practitioner and a blood test many women can have their hormone level test results returned within 24 hours.
How Can a Hormonal Imbalance Pregnancy Be Avoided?
The best way for women to avoid a hormonal imbalance pregnancy is to live the healthiest lifestyle possible for herself and the baby, for example:
- Eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables, fibers and good fats. Women should avoid consuming too many sugary snacks (although it's OK for the baby to indulge the occasional craving).
- Taking regular, moderate exercise without placing undue strain on the body. There are many sport classes that are specifically aimed at pregnant women.
- Women should not drink alcohol or smoke as soon as they discover they are pregnant. These can cause serious damage to the baby and are a cause of hormonal imbalance pregnancy.
Thus if women are worried about hormonal imbalance pregnancy, they should visit their medical practitioner. For the majority of women eating a healthy diet and doing regular, moderate exercise (that is not a strain on the mother or baby) is enough to avoid hormonal imbalance pregnancy. Others may require further advice about how to deal with their hormonal imbalance pregnancy. Click here for more information about pregnancy and treating hormonal imbalance.
