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Female Hormone Specialist

by | Aug 4, 2023 | Hormones

Female Hormone Specialists - Feeling Great Naturopath

Female Hormone Specialist

Are Hormones Causing Your Fatigue, Weight Gain, or Mood Swings?

Do you feel like your hormones are out of balance? If so, you’re not alone. Hormones act as chemical messengers, influencing everything from energy levels and mood to digestion, metabolism, and overall well-being. When they become imbalanced, a range of symptoms can arise, impacting your quality of life.

As a Female Hormone Specialist, I help identify and address these imbalances through natural solutions. Functional and naturopathic medicine focus on finding the root cause, using methods like salivary hormone testing to measure the active hormones affecting your body. This allows for precise treatment using herbs, nutrients, and natural hormone therapy.

Mainstream medicine often relies on blood tests, which measure both bound and unbound hormones, sometimes missing key imbalances. If your symptoms aren’t reflected in your test results, you might be told it’s just aging—when in reality, a deeper issue may be at play.

Let’s explore common hormonal imbalances, symptoms, and how to regain balance naturally.

7 Hormone Imbalance and Symptoms

1. Progesterone: The Balancing Hormone

Progesterone helps counteract excess estrogen, which can contribute to growths, cancers, and other health issues. Maintaining the right balance is essential for both men and women.

Symptoms of Low Progesterone:

  • Swollen breasts
  • Irregular periods
  • Weight gain
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Brain fog
  • Low libido

Best Testing Method: Salivary hormone profile (most accurate) or blood test.

2. Oestrogen: The Key to Hormonal Harmony

Both men and women require a balance of three oestrogen forms—Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to prostate issues, heart disease, and hormonal cancers.

Symptoms of Low Oestrogen:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Memory lapses
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Depression

Symptoms of Excess Oestrogen:

  • Water retention
  • Weight gain
  • Mood swings
  • Heavy or irregular periods

Best Testing Method: Salivary hormone testing or blood tests.

3. Testosterone: Vital for Strength and Vitality

Both men and women need healthy testosterone levels. Low levels are linked to heart disease, low libido, and muscle weakness, while excess levels may cause acne, hair loss, or hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone:

  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Low libido
  • Muscle weakness

Symptoms of High Testosterone:

  • Acne
  • Irritability
  • Excess facial hair (women)

Best Testing Method: Salivary hormone testing or blood test with SHBG.

4. Thyroid: The Metabolic Regulator

Thyroid hormones control energy levels and metabolism. Many thyroid issues go undetected in standard blood tests, leading to misdiagnosed fatigue, weight gain, or depression.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function:

  • Constant fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Hair thinning
  • Feeling cold

Best Testing Method: Comprehensive blood test, including TSH, fT3, fT4, and thyroid antibodies.

5. Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a key role in stress response. If levels are too high or too low, adrenal fatigue can occur, leading to disrupted sleep, weight gain, and anxiety.

Symptoms of High Cortisol:

  • Sleep issues
  • High blood pressure
  • Mood swings

Symptoms of Low Cortisol:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Sugar cravings
  • Feeling low or unmotivated

Best Testing Method: Salivary adrenal profile to track cortisol and DHEA levels throughout the day.

6. DHEA: The Hormone Precursor

DHEA is crucial for testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone production. When levels drop, it affects stress adaptation, energy, and immune function.

Symptoms of Low DHEA:

  • Low libido
  • Fatigue
  • Depression

Best Testing Method: Salivary adrenal hormone testing.

7. Insulin: Regulating Blood Sugar and Energy

Insulin resistance can develop years before diabetes is diagnosed, affecting metabolism, energy, and weight management.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance:

  • Sugar cravings
  • Weight gain (especially around the waist)
  • Low energy and frequent hunger
  • Irritability

Best Testing Method: Fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test.

Take Control of Your Hormones

Your body is a complex network of hormones, working through feedback loops that affect every aspect of health. If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them! Testing and personalized support can help restore balance, energy, and overall well-being.

Want to read more about Hormones? Read this Hormones and Weight Gain After 40 and share your thoughts with us! Click here to book your hormone test and start your journey to better health today!