Are My Hormones The Cause Of My Symptoms?

Hormonal imbalance is a common problem today and can be due to a variety of causes. You will notice that I have placed HORMONES at Level #7 of the Functional Medicine Health Pyramid (FMHP).

This is because all the Levels below hormones on the health pyramid can be a root cause for hormone imbalances. Today, the hormones I am referring to include Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone.

Women tend to suffer from hormone problems more than men do, but in many instances the cause of imbalance is the same in men and women. In men, the testicles are making hormones and in women the ovaries are.

Female hormone balance is a bit more complex, so I will make it the focus of this article. Your ovaries make most of your hormones until menopause, at which point your adrenal glands become your major source of hormone production.

In either case, whether it be the ovaries or the adrenal glands, these organs are under the control of your pituitary gland. Your pituitary is called the “master gland” because its hormones tell your ovaries, thyroid, and adrenal glands to make their respective hormones. But even the master gland has a master, and that would be your brain…more specifically your hypothalamus. It has been referred to as the “master switchboard.”

So, hormone regulation really begins in the brain. You might be asking why I would put BRAIN #8 above Hormones #7. This is because the brain is affected greatly by the health of the Digestive system (Level #1) and Inflammation (Level #4).

• You need good Detoxification (#2) and Digestion (#1) to eliminate excess hormones.
• The changes in your Immune System (#5) during certain phases of your cycle can affect your energy levels as well as your resistance to infections which can create a feeling of tiredness and malaise. 
• If Blood Sugar (#3) is not controlled, it can lead to increased insulin and high androgens (like testosterone) in women.
• If Inflammation (#4) is not corrected, then hormone control at the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland is thrown out of balance.
• Poor function of the Thyroid (#6) can interfere with normal ovary function leading to low hormone levels and infertility.

Functional Medicine Hormone Doctor In Naperville

A functional medicine hormone doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances using a holistic approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues. At Naperville Integrated Wellness, we consider factors like genetics, environment, lifestyle, and overall health to create personalized treatment plans. Utilizing various diagnostic tools, they emphasize natural therapies such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and supplementation alongside conventional treatments. Our hormone functional medicine doctor’s comprehensive approach aims to restore hormonal balance, improve overall health, and prevent future health problems.

What To Expect From Our Naperville Hormone Functional Medicine Doctor

Common Hormone-Based Symptoms

Mood swings and Hormones

For women, imbalances of estrogen and progesterone can be the cause of mood swings as can low levels of testosterone. But there are many other factors that may cause this symptom.  For example, too much or too little thyroid hormone, high levels of cortisol, or blood sugar imbalances can also lead to mood swings.

Hormones Causing Irregular periods

Most often, imbalances of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are to blame for this symptom.  However, overactive thyroid, eating habits (ex. eating disorders), exercise habits, and stress may be a factor as well.

Heavy menstrual bleeding with Hormonal Imbalances

In addition to estrogen/progesterone imbalance, factors such as underlying illness, thyroid disease, endometriosis or other uterine conditions can be the source of this symptom

Hot flashes

Spikes and subsequent drops in estrogen are often to blame for this symptom, although low levels of progesterone relative to estrogen is often part of the problem.  Medications, stress, alcohol, caffeine and thyroid imbalances can also be a cause.

Uterine fibroids and your Hormone Relationship

It is likely that fibroids are caused by many factors including genetics, diet, age, etc.  However, there is no specific known cause of fibroids.

Headaches caused by Hormone Fluctuations

There are many different possible causes for this chronic headaches or migraines.  Hormone imbalance may be a factor more often the cause is linked to diet & lifestyle, stress, neck issues, allergies, eyestrain and hypertension, among others.

Hormonal Changes Can Cause Fatigue and Exhaustion

Similar to headaches, chronic fatigue has many causes, and it is one of the main complaints I hear about in my office.  The key to addressing this is to identify and address the underlying contributing factors. 

Insomnia Brought On With Hormones

This symptom can have to do with neurotransmitter imbalances, blood sugar imbalances, high cortisol, stress, sleep environment, along with substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and the like.  When it comes to estrogen/progesterone,  as it relates to hot flashes creates issues with sleeping for many women.

Brain-fog and Women’s Hormones

This is another symptom with a laundry list of contributing factors.  Anything that relates to problems with oxygen (anemia) and blood sugar will affect brain function. This is one reason why it is extremely important to take a functional medicine approach to hormone health in order to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

Hair loss and Hormonal Imbalances in Women

Depression and Anxiety coupled with Hormonal Changes

Depression and anxiety with a cyclical presentation often has a hormonal source.  Often, however, when other health issues are addressed with a functional medicine approach, the intensity and severity of these symptoms can often be reduced or eliminated.

The standard approach to care for any of the above symptoms may include anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication, NSAIDs or other pain relievers, sleeping pills, caffeinated beverages to combat fatigue, etc.  Many of these ‘solutions’ are a temporary fix and often perpetuate the problem they seek to solve.   Learn more about functional medicine and depression alongside anxiety and functional medicine now.

Functional Medicine For Hormone Health In Naperville

A functional medicine approach to balancing your hormones will evaluate the other systems/functions in the body to address the root cause of your symptoms.  As you restore optimal function to the levels below HORMONES on the pyramid, you are restoring the systems that are involved in the regulation of hormone production and balance. If you have problems with digestion, then you would start there…Level #1.

With the help of a Naperville hormone functional medicine doctor who understands these relationships, you can start getting your body and hormones back into balance.  Interested in learning more about functional medicine for hormones?  Give our Naperville hormone imbalance doctor a call at (630) 210-8391 today.

In my next article I will be covering Brain Health which I have placed at Level #8 of the FMHP.

Our goal with our website content is to provide value to interested readers.

We with you the best in life and with for the best in your health!

This healthcare approach is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. The reason is that the FDA restricts the use of these terms to drugs, and this approach does not involve the use of drugs.