Do you feel like your hormones may be out of whack? Let's talk about what signs to look for and which hormones is causing it.

When I was about 40, I told a nurse practitioner that my body had been feeling off. I knew something was changing. Her answer? Stop taking so many vitamins, get on birth control and take an antidepressant. I thought WTF??

Deep down I knew I wasn’t depressed and every time since having kids when I had gone on birth control, I’d get worse symptoms like high blood pressure. No offense to all the amazing docs and nurses out there, and I am not a doctor myself, but I’ve seen enough issues with my clients and myself to realize that there is a sadly a gap in how they address or don’t address women’s underlying symptoms -- especially in the 35 and older range.

You really need to be your my own health advocate these days, and I strongly encourage you to learn as much as you can about your body and hormones. So this is exactly why I wanted to bring you guys a hormone series of videos to hopefully increase your knowledge.

Hormones are always changing as we enter into different phases of our life. It started way back when we had our first period, it changed when we got pregnant, and again after we had our babies. For me, it changed again around 35, a little different at 40ish and definitely the biggest changes at now 45.

We’re going to dive into the most common signs that women feel that are linked directly to 5 important hormones. As we go through each one, take mental note or write which down which area you have several symptoms.

#1 INSULIN

Insulin stores blood sugar or glucose in your tissues and your body uses it as needed for energy. It basically helps keep our blood sugars balanced.

Symptoms of Insulin imbalance:

• You get hangry or lightheaded if you miss a meal

• Cravings for sweet foods and carbs like bread

• After eating you feel tired

• You get irritable easily

• Brain fog and can’t remember things as well

• You feel like you need caffeine to make it through the day

• Extra belly fat - you waist is equal or larger than your hips (and especially if larger than 35” for women)

• Difficulty losing weight

• You’re always thirsty

#2 CORTISOL

Cortisol is the stress hormone. Stress can be emotional, physical, spiritual and even chemical or from the environment.

Some symptoms of Cortisol imbalance, or high cortisol:

• Like insulin, cortisol leads to belly weight, but also in upper back and face

• You feel wired and tired

• Unable to slow down and unwind

• Quick to get angry

• Thinning hair or hair loss

• Get sick often

• Acne is showing up more

• Bone loss which can lead to osteoporosis

• Low sex drive

• Sleep issues

• Digestive issues

#3 THYROID

Thyroid hormones’ role is to regulate growth and metabolism. They are “master controllers” that regulate nearly every major metabolic function in the body.

Some symptoms of underactive or low Thyroid (Hypothyroid):

• Unexplained weight gain

• Tired and fatigue

• depression and losing interest in normal activities

• forgetfulness

• dry hair and skin

• puffy face

• slow heart rate

• intolerance to cold

• constipation

• brittle nails

• muscle cramping

• changes in menstrual cycle

Some symptoms of an overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroid):

• Weight loss

• racing heart and palpitations

• trouble sleeping

• nervousness

• hair loss

• muscle aches and weakness

• diarrhea and digestive issues

• sweating and trouble tolerating heat

#4 ESTROGEN

Known as the main female sex hormone. It’s responsible for keeping you joyful and feeling sexy, but also helps with healthy growth of female organs, muscles and brain cells. Think of it as the fun sister to the next sex hormone.

Some symptoms of High Estrogen:

• Stubborn weight gain particularly in the hips, thighs and butt

• PMS: mood swings, depression or irritability

• ‘mini breakdowns’ or anxiety

• Headaches

• Fibroids, lumpy breasts or endometriosis

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Low libido

• Bloating

Low Estrogen often experience:

• Weight gain in belly

• Irregular or missing periods

• Vaginal dryness and low libido

• Dry skin

• Less mental focus and increased mood swings

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Trouble sleeping

• Weak bones

#5 PROGESTERONE

This is Estrogen’s calm sister, the one that makes sure Estrogen doesn’t get too out of control and tries to balance things. Its role is to regulate the uterine lining, mood and sleep.

Low progesterone causes:

• PMS and mood swings

• Short or irregular menstrual cycles

• Spotting and heavy periods

• Menstrual migraines

Now if you are still having your cycle, I encourage you to track it and become in tune to how you’re feeling throughout the month. Clue is a great free app that I use that allows you to track all of this.

Want to watch my YouTube on this? Click below.

Let's get FIRED UPP,

Nat

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