Natural ways to combat hormone imbalance in women

Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by the glands and organs including thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, ovaries and pancreas that affect our body function. The entire endocrine system works together to control the level of hormones circulating throughout the body and if one or more is slightly imbalanced it can cause widespread major health issues.

Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women

  • Irregular cycles/heavy bleeding/painful periods
  • Infertility
  • PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis
  • Breast tenderness
  • Fibrocystic breasts
  • Mood swings, PMS, depression, anxiety, stress, memory loss
  • Weight gain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Acne
  • Hair fall/Thinning of hair
  • Hirsutism

Causes of hormone imbalance

  1. Genetic predisposition : here is possibility of hormone imbalance if any their of family members have hormone imbalance.
  2. Poor Diet :
    • Junk foods
    • Preserved/Packaged foods
    • Artificial Sweeteners
    • Saturated fats – hydrogenated and refined vegetable oils
    • Conventional Dairy products- pasteurized and homogenized milk
    • Pesticide sprayed vegetables and fruits
    • Farm feed Chicken and eggs

  3. Chronic mental stress : Stress, tension worries, anxiety and fear plays a major role in hormone imbalance
  4. Lack of physical activity
  5. Lack of sleep and rest
  6. Obesity
  7. Exposure to high amounts of toxins and chemicals :
    • Skin care products/cosmetics
    • Plastic bags and containers
    • Aluminium cans
    • Wet tissue papers
    • Certain sanitary napkins and tampons

Ways to combat hormone imbalance

1. Nutritious balanced diet :

Consume foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and foods with anti inflammatory properties such as walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, hormone free dairy products, meat.

3. Reducing/Managing mental stress :

Stress can be managed easily through yoga, meditation, jogging, swimming, dancing, listening music, gardening, playing indoor/ outdoor games, spending ample time with loved ones, playing with pets.

3. Sound sleep of about 6-9 hours

4. Improving physical activities/Exercise

5. Managing body weight

6. Avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins