Common Signs of Hormone Imbalance You Should Not Ignore

Experiencing bothersome health issues—even those that are not necessarily debilitating, but pesky—can significantly impact a woman’s peace of mind. Fatigue, acne, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles—what does it all mean about your health? If doctors have told you that your health checks out fine but you are still experiencing symptoms indicating otherwise, you are in the right place. Rather than living in fear of having a serious underlying health issue, RevitaLife Health & Wellness will work relentlessly to get to the bottom of what may be causing your symptoms and help to reverse them. 

Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances

If you experience symptoms like these, you likely have a hormone imbalance:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Infertility
  • Hirsutism
  • Thinning hair on scalp
  • Acne
  • Oily skin
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Darkening of skin
  • Weight gain or inability to lose weight 
  • Headaches
  • Painful periods

In many cases, women with these symptoms may be diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Being properly diagnosed is key, as living with PCOS increases the likelihood of developing type II diabetes. This is because insulin resistance drives PCOS by impairing ovarian function and increasing androgens. Importantly, you must understand that not all women with PCOS have ovarian cysts—in fact, close to fifty percent of women with PCOS do not have ovarian cysts. No two cases of PCOS are identical, which means treatments will vary greatly depending on the unique needs of each patient. 

How We Diagnose PCOS

A detection of cysts on ovaries is no longer required for a PCOS diagnosis. Rather, if a woman meets two of these three criteria, PCOS can be diagnosed:

  • Delayed ovulation or menstrual cycles
  • High androgens as seen on lab work or by the presence of acne, unwanted hair growth or male pattern baldness
  • Polycystic ovaries 

Since PCOS manifests itself through a combination of signs and symptoms rather than having a single cause or presentation, the condition is considered a syndrome as opposed to a disease. 

Integrative Medicine’s Approach to Treating PCOS

At RevitaLife, we take a integrative medicine approach to treating PCOS that typically does not involve prescription medications, surgery or other invasive techniques. Rather, we see PCOS as a hormonal imbalance that can be remedied by identifying and addressing its causes. By identifying whether your PCOS is caused by genetics, stress, poor circadian rhythm, an inflammatory diet or low microbial diversity, we can develop a personalized treatment plan that will address the unique needs and deficiencies of your body. 

What to Expect from PCOS Treatments

Treating PCOS requires sustained lifestyle changes. Since it simply cannot be remedied with a magic pill, women seeking this type of solution in traditional healthcare spaces will become frustrated. Since no two cases of PCOS are the same, no two treatment protocols will look the same—but most women will need to consider, at a minimum, a commitment to:

  • Improving sleep quality
  • Eating a less inflammatory, more nutrient-dense diet that promotes blood sugar balance
  • Exercising every day 
  • Reducing stress

At RevitaLife, we teach our patients exactly how to achieve these lifestyle changes based on their own capabilities and limitations. Additionally, we introduce these changes in ways that are sustainable for the long haul. 

When to Begin PCOS Treatments

Since there are serious health risks involved with leaving PCOS untreated, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Even though you may be only minorly inconvenienced by wearing more makeup to cover your acne, removing unwanted hair regularly, taking afternoon naps to help fight chronic fatigue or dealing with a monthly headache, it is important to realize these are symptoms of an underlying problem that must be addressed. 

If you are willing to commit to adopting a new lifestyle that will reverse your PCOS symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Peláez at RevitaLife Health & Wellness. Call us at 850.436.4444 to request a consultation. 

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