hormones and mental health

Hormones and mental health

Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy mind and body. Here, we look at how hormonal imbalances may lead to certain disorders as well as affect mental health.

Hormonal Disorders & Mental Health

Hormones have a significant impact on regulating mood and mental health, with hormonal fluctuations occurring throughout the day to help regulate sleep and wake cycles, metabolism, appetite and energy expenditure. Environmental stressors or certain medical disorders may cause the hormonal glands to malfunction. When this happens, a person may feel irritable, depressed or have trouble focusing.

Signs & Symptoms

Common signs of hormonal deficiency include:

•       Feeling depressed

•       Difficulty concentrating

•       Decreased mental sharpness

•       Inability to focus

•       Memory loss

•       Trouble remembering

•       State of confusion

If you experience any of the above symptoms, talk to your endocrinologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment options to help improve your quality of life.

Causes

Studies have shown that certain hormonal deficiencies can affect mental health. Reproductive hormones such as progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone influence brain nerve cells and may protect against memory or cognition loss. After childbirth, the drop in progesterone levels is also linked to postpartum depression. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) has been linked to depression, difficulty concentrating and short term memory loss.

If you suspect that you have hormonal deficiency, consult with your endocrinologist to find out more.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Your endocrinologist will look at your medical history. Certain tests may be prescribed for accurate diagnosis. The intensity and extent of treatment will depend on the severity of the hormonal imbalance, your physical health and lifestyle factors. Consult your endocrinologist to find out more.

How  to manage hormonal imbalance naturally

Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining   our health, therefore an imbalance in the hormones can activate a range of symptoms, most hormonal imbalances are preventable and can be successfully managed. There are various ways to balance our hormones and improve our overall well-being.

Regulate  sugar  levels:

 Regulating our sugar levels is one way of avoiding hormonal imbalance. High amounts of glucose and insulin in our bloodstream can cause inflammation which in turn can lead to chronic health issues.

Lifestyle changes:

 One of the best ways to deal with imbalanced hormones is to change in lifestyle. For that reduce the amount of stress in our lives and to increase exercise to an appropriate level. Simple exercises like aerobics, muscle building can help to reduce weight and indirectly maintain our hormone levels.

Addressing emotional imbalances:

Addressing emotional imbalances can help to prevent health conditions associated with hormonal imbalances. The emotions of frustration and impatience can lead to an oestrogen imbalance.

 Thus, hormones dramatically affect our bodies, our health, and our happiness too. If a hormonal imbalance is left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. Also, this can have a detrimental effect on the quality of life. Conversely, if these imbalances are identified early, they can be prevented.