As you age, it can become harder to distinguish between normal aspects of the aging process and ones that may signal you are suffering from a hormone imbalance. The slightest imbalance can trigger complex and frustrating problems since hormones produce many chemicals that are crucial to how your body functions. In this article, we will cover the six major signs you should know about when it comes to checking your health status.
1. Greater Sensitivity to Hot and Cold Temperatures
If you have never had a prior problem dealing with hot or cold temperatures but now find yourself always turning up the heat or air conditioning to find your comfort zone, this can often be one of the signs of hormone imbalance that may be easy for you to overlook. Rather than just being a normal part of the aging process, it likely means you are suffering from either hyper or hypothyroidism, meaning your body’s thyroid gland is either producing too few hormones or too many for your body to handle. If the problem becomes too severe in terms of hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland can be removed in a surgical procedure.
2. Your Sex Drive is Missing in Action
One of the most common, as well as frustrating, signs you may be experiencing a hormone imbalance is noticing your usually strong sex drive is suddenly missing in action. Should your libido be getting weaker and weaker, this can mean your testosterone levels are too low, or your estrogen levels are too high. Rather than let this continue until your intimate relationships are becoming nonexistent and lessening your quality of life, it’s a good idea for you to schedule an appointment with your doctor for testing and treatment options.
3. Erectile Dysfunction
Unfortunately, even if your libido has remained strong, a hormone imbalance can sometimes result in you dealing with erectile dysfunction. When you have ED, low levels of testosterone are often to blame. As your hormone imbalance begins to interfere with your sexual performance, you may find it more and more difficult to gain an erection for sex or maintain your erection while you are engaged in sex with your partner. When ED arrives, you may also suffer from depression, anxiety, and insomnia, all of which can be exacerbated by a hormone imbalance.
4. Losing Your Muscle
Should you be a guy who still exercises regularly and works hard to stay in shape, you may be confused as to why despite your best efforts at the gym, you find yourself losing your hard-earned muscle mass. If you are looking in the mirror and fear you may be starting to turn into a 98-pound weakling, a hormone imbalance is the probable cause of your situation. Since normal levels of testosterone are needed to help men build and maintain muscle mass, having low T puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Along with low T, being under constant stress so that your body produces more and more cortisol can also make it harder to maintain your muscular physique.
5. Mood Changes
If you used to be a person who had no problems with staying motivated and were usually happy, carefree, and relaxed, but now it seems like you are always depressed, anxious, irritable, and less motivated about various things, you’re probably dealing with a hormone imbalance. Again, the likely suspect for your mood changes is low testosterone, although thyroid problems can also lead to such changes. Thus, what you may be chalking up to the stress and strain from your personal and professional relationships may actually be due to your hormones being out of balance.
6. Sleep Pattern Changes
Sleep pattern changes can take many forms, such as:
- Sleeping more than usual,
- Waking up in the middle of the night,
- Being unable to go to sleep
All of these are strong signs you have a hormone imbalance. If you’re dealing with high levels of stress, this will only make this problem harder to solve, which is why you need to visit your doctor.
The Bottom Line
Ignoring any of these major signs of hormonal imbalance will only lessen your quality of life. To keep yourself on track and solve your low-T dilemma, get tested by your doctor and discuss lifestyle changes that can bring quick and positive results.
