The results of a recent survey showed that 43 percent of Americans report feeling too tired to function. Does this sound familiar to you?
Fatigue is a common symptom among people of all genders, but it’s especially common in women. Read on to learn more about how hormonal imbalances can lead to low energy levels in females. You’ll also get some important information on how you can rebalance your hormones and start feeling your best.
Hormones and Low Energy Levels in Females
Often, when someone is dealing with extreme fatigue, their first thought isn’t to assess their hormone levels. Instead, they assume that they just need to get more sleep or have too much going on at work. This could be true, but, sometimes, you can trace the issue back to a lack of balance in the body.
There are many different hormones that can affect your energy when they’re out of balance. Here are some of the most well-known:
Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing a variety of hormones associated with your body’s metabolism. If your thyroid is underactive (this condition is known as hypothyroidism), your bodily processes might begin to slow down.
This slowing down can cause you to feel fatigued and depressed, no matter how much or how deeply you’re sleeping at night. You might experience memory problems as well.
Estrogen
Estrogen is your primary female sex hormone. Levels of estrogen are meant to fluctuate throughout your monthly cycle. It tends to be higher during the first two weeks of the cycle and then decreases during the final two weeks.
Elevated estrogen is associated with elevated energy levels. When estrogen dips too low and stays low, you can end up experiencing low energy all throughout your cycle.
Progesterone
Progesterone is another important female sex hormone. It’s responsible for triggering ovulation. It also helps to promote calmness and helps you fall asleep.
Progesterone has this effect because it stimulates the production of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (or GABA). GABA helps you to relax and fall asleep. If your progesterone is elevated, or if your body perceives it as being too high because your estrogen is low, you could end up feeling sleepier than usual.
Testosterone
Women do not have as much testosterone as men, but this hormone still plays a key role in helping them to feel healthy and energizes. The body needs testosterone for red blood cell production. Without proper red blood cell production, oxygen can’t be distributed throughout the body in the most efficient way.
When testosterone levels dip too low in women, the result can be extreme fatigue. You might wake up fatigued and feel like a generally low-energy person.
Cortisol
Cortisol is known as a stress hormone. The body releases it during times of stress to ensure that you’re able to handle the difficult situation you’re facing.
In a healthy individual, cortisol will rise during a stressful time and then drop back down. If cortisol stays elevated long-term, though (which is common for a lot of people in today’s stressful, modern world), you may have trouble falling asleep at night. This, in turn, can cause you to feel tired during the day and have difficulty concentrating.
Signs You Have a Hormonal Imbalance
A key sign of a hormonal imbalance is a lack of energy. There are some other issues you might experience as well, though, including the following:
- Hot Flashes
- Weight Gain
- Mood Swings
- Insomnia
- Low Libido
- Poor Memory
If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, including fatigue and low energy, there’s a good chance something is off with your hormones. The sooner you can address the issue, the easier it’ll be to get your hormone levels under control.
How to Rebalance Your Hormones
Do you suspect that you’re dealing with a hormonal imbalance? If so, you’re not alone. Almost half of all women in the U.S. are experiencing these symptoms, too.
There is good news, though. You don’t have to just accept your hormonal imbalances. Instead, consider one of these remedies to fix the problem and get you feeling more like your old, more energetic self:
Change Your Diet
Dietary changes can have a big impact on your hormone levels. If you’re not eating a sufficient amount of protein and healthy fats, your body may have difficulty producing the hormones it needs to function in the most optimal way.
Undereating, especially undereating carbohydrates, can have a negative impact on hormones, too. Aim to eat balanced meals throughout the day to stabilize your blood sugar and give your body the necessary nutrients for hormone production.
Get Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is important, too. If you’re not exercising, you might be more prone to imbalances, especially imbalances in testosterone and estrogen.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress increases your body’s cortisol production and can lead to imbalances in other hormones, including progesterone (which decreases when cortisol increases). Working to reduce stress through exercise, meditation, yoga, and therapy can help you feel more at ease and play a big role in improving hormone levels.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
In some cases, natural remedies alone aren’t enough to balance the hormones. In these cases, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (also known as BHRT) is a good option to consider. It involves the use of synthetic hormones to create balance in the body and combat the symptoms of poor hormonal health.
Restore Energy and Rebalance Your Hormones Today
Now that you know more about how hormonal imbalances can result in low energy levels in females, are you interested in having your hormones tested? Do you want to learn more about the different hormone rebalancing options available to you?
If this information interests you, we’re here to help at ReVital Women’s Clinic. We offer hormone testing and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy to help women balance their hormones, get to the root of what’s causing their symptoms, and start feeling better as soon as possible.
Contact us today to learn more about what we do. You can also schedule a free consultation to see if our services are a good fit for you.