Hormones play an important role in the functioning of the body. As part of the endocrine system, they are chemical messengers in the blood that control many of the body’s most important functions, from how much you poop and pee to how fast your hair grows. We’ve all experienced hormonal fluctuations that come with common events like PMS (or stress), but they can also be caused by conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes, and even pregnancy. Really It can wreak havoc and cause symptoms that leave you wondering what the heck is going on with your body. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Hormone imbalance due to thyroid disease
1. Increased (or decreased) bowel movements
If you’ve suddenly become constipated or find yourself pooping all the time, it could be linked to either hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (too much). “It’s not, ‘I’ve been constipated since I was 15,'” says Kathleen Figaro, MD, an endocrinologist in Bettendorf, Iowa. “It’s more, ‘I was doing great, and then all of a sudden I’m constipated.'” That’s because thyroid hormone can cause your organs to go haywire, either faster (hyperthyroidism) or slower (hypothyroidism).
2. Eyes look big
According to Figaro, if someone tells you that your eyes look big or that you always look like you’re staring, it’s a sign of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. It may be. The tissues behind the eyes become inflamed and the eyelids rise, making the eyes appear larger.
3. Hair growth stops
Thyroid hormones are involved in hair growth, so if you notice coarser or less hair anywhere on your body, including your head, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Mr. Figaro says that there is.
4. Forget things
Brain fog is a well-known symptom of hypothyroidism, but impaired short-term memory can also be a warning sign. Why? Because low thyroid hormone levels control the brain’s metabolism, and reduced brain function can affect your ability to pay attention in the moment and make memories, says Figaro.
5. Your skin is dry
According to Figaro, flaky, dry skin can also be a sign of hypothyroidism. When your body produces less thyroid hormone, your skin’s metabolism slows down and it produces less oil to keep it moisturized.
If your hormones are out of balance due to diabetes
6. Yeast infections are on the rise
If you’re having more yeast infections than usual, Figaro says, it may be related to diabetes, which disrupts levels of the hormone insulin. Diabetes increases blood sugar levels, and the fungi that cause these infections love sugar. Figaro said diabetes is often asymptomatic and can go on for years without anyone noticing. “More than 30 million people have diabetes but don’t know it,” she says. That’s why it’s important to share your family history with your doctor. If you have a genetic risk, eating well will definitely lower or increase your genetic risk.
7. You Are Peeing A Ton
If you suddenly find yourself peeing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Figaro says your pancreas isn’t working properly due to diabetes, which could be linked to elevated blood sugar levels. The kidneys work overtime to eliminate excess sugar, causing more tinkling.
If pregnancy causes hormonal imbalance…
8. Your gums are bleeding more than usual.
Are your gums bleeding frequently? You may be pregnant. Immediately after conception, progesterone levels increase dramatically to prevent the body from rejecting the pregnancy. Progesterone, in turn, increases blood flow and causes water to be retained everywhere in the body, including the gums, which can become swollen and bleed easily. That’s why it’s even more important to brush and floss your teeth and see your dentist regularly during pregnancy. If you notice your gums continue to bleed after you finish brushing, talk to your doctor, says Dr. Ashlesha Dayal, a high-risk gynecologist at Montefiore Medical Center.
9. My feet have gotten bigger
This can also be attributed to the increase in progesterone that occurs during pregnancy. That’s because progesterone helps loosen ligaments (including those in your feet) in preparation for childbirth, Dayal says. Of note, Dayal points out that there are no studies that conclusively show why many women claim their shoe size goes up when they become pregnant.
10. You have a metallic taste in your mouth.
Thank goodness for another pregnancy-increased hormone: HcG (or human chorionic gonadotropin), which the embryo starts producing after implantation. High HcG levels can cause nausea and vomiting, alter your sense of taste, and create that infamous metallic sensation in your mouth, says Dayal. To ease nausea, she suggests opting for a homeopathic remedy like ginger (you can boil the root to make a tea). Lemon water can also help get rid of the metallic taste, she says.
11. I noticed a black spot
Dark spots on the skin (melasma), such as on the cheeks and breasts, are a side effect of increased estrogen in the body during pregnancy, Dayal says. Estrogen increases the level of the skin pigment melanin.
Figaro emphasizes that the key is to know your body. “Changes come and go,” she says. “But if you notice new, persistent symptoms, that’s a sign that something has changed.” If you think something needs medical attention, pay attention to frequency, severity, and timing. However, Figaro says it’s important to track changes in your body over time. That way, your doctor can identify if there is a problem and order any necessary tests.
Colleen de Bellefonds is an American freelance journalist who lives in Paris, France with her husband and dog Mochi. She loves running, yoga, wine, and she also has a thing for baguettes.
