Keep reading! Vitamin D controls the production and activity of estrogen and progesterone to keep these hormones balanced. This vitamin also helps in regulating insulin and blood sugar level. Health research shows that aside from regulating bone metabolism, and calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, vitamin D also plays a beneficial role in managing thyroid diseases.

In addition, vitamin D deficiency is associated with a high risk of thyroid antibodies, a common scenario for patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Ascorbic acid vitamin C is a popular vitamin, nutrient, and antioxidant. Its hormonal benefits include:. B vitamins are a group of vitamins found in various foods- from vegetables and dairy products to meats and seafood. Generally, B6 helps keep the nervous system and immune system healthy.

This vitamin is also great for alleviating premenstrual syndrome PMS symptoms, particularly mood swings. Omega-3 fatty acids are a nutrient commonly found in fatty fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, and other foods like walnuts, chia seeds, and egg yolks.

Aside from the vitamins for hormonal imbalance mentioned above, omega-3s can also improve cell function and impact hormone production. Consumption of omega-3s can help you diminish insulin resistance.

Getting enough vitamins and nutrients through diet or supplementation are vital in reverting hormonal imbalances. People have used natural supplements to treat hormonal imbalances for thousands of years. However, clinical studies have not proven that any natural remedies can treat hormonal imbalances and their causes.

Before taking any natural or herbal treatment, a person should check with their doctor to ensure safety and avoid interaction side effects when taking with other medications.

Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the likelihood and symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:. Most people will experience at least one or two periods of hormonal imbalance during their lifetime.

Hormonal imbalances are more common during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and aging. But some people experience continual, irregular hormonal imbalances. Medical conditions that affect or involve the endocrine system or glands can lead to a hormone imbalance. However, external factors, such as stress or hormone medications, can also be a cause.

A person should speak to a doctor about long-term unexplained symptoms, especially those that cause pain, discomfort, or interfere with everyday activities.

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Symptoms can vary and may depend on an individual's sex. Learn more. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What to know about hormonal imbalances. Medically reviewed by Erica Ramirez, PA-C — By Jennifer Huizen — Updated on October 23, Symptoms Acne Weight gain Pregnancy Hair loss Tests Causes Treatment Natural remedies Outlook Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the blood.

Weight gain. Hair loss. How to fix a hormonal imbalance. Natural remedies. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause. One of the overlooked functions of Progesterone is that it promotes healthy nerve cell growth and can create a calming effect, relieving stress and promoting brain health which improves focus and memory.

When an imbalance between Progesterone and Estrogen occurs, many other problems can arise. If you have such a hormonal imbalance, you may experience:.

For non-pregnant women or women in menopause, progesterone balancing is also critical to keeping your Estrogen levels under control. High Estrogen levels can cause many issues, some even life-threatening. It is common for women in perimenopause or menopause to have very low levels of Progesterone , which can cause the negative effects of Estrogen to occur more often.

High Estrogen levels can even lead to breast cancer, which is why hormone balancing is often used to treat perimenopause and menopause. Progesterone also helps support a healthy pregnancy. When a fertilized egg is successfully implanted into the uterus lining, levels elevate to promote the growth of dilated blood vessels.

These blood vessels are critical to feeding the growing embryo with nutrient-carrying blood until the placenta is formed, usually around week It also helps prevent uterus contractions that could otherwise expel the egg. Since it is so critical to a healthy pregnancy, Progesterone imbalance can have catastrophic effects if you are looking to become pregnant or maintain your pregnancy.

If the lining of your uterus is not thick and healthy, the fertilized egg will not be able to implant within the uterus and grow. Without enough blood supply, even a successfully implanted embryo can fail. Spotting and ectopic pregnancies are not uncommon for women with low Progesterone.

Skip supplements made with D2 and those that do not disclose the type of Vitamin D they contains. A flexible dosage of IU in the most natural and absorbable form available. Researchers have found that low levels of Vitamin D may lead to lower estrogen levels, which can cause mood swings, headaches, depression, hot flashes and more, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

Boosting Vitamin D levels helps bring estrogen back into balance. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that your body requires, but cannot produce on its own — Omega-3s must come from the diet, through foods like oily fish or flaxseed, or by taking a supplement. Omega-3s are important for brain, bone and heart health, but they also play a critical role in your hormonal health:.

To supplement Omega-3 levels, look for a high quality fish oil that has been molecularly distilled, a process that removes any remaining heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, PCBs and other contaminants. Molecularly distilled fish oils also concentrate amounts of critical Omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA.

Flaxseed oil is a good vegan source for Omega-3s, but be aware that flaxseed oil oxidizes quickly — this is why you see it sold in the refrigerated section of the health food store in dark bottles.

Fish oils are more stable, which helps to ensure that you are getting the correct dosage of Omega-3s. Taste-free and burpless. Ashwagandha is a traditional remedy for hormonal imbalance that has its roots in Ayurvedic medicine.

Modern research has found this herb to be effective in boosting thyroid function and balancing adrenal hormones and androgens. Ashwagandha is adaptogenic, meaning that it has a normalizing effect on hormone levels — helping both excess levels and low levels of hormones return back to normal range.

Our Herbal Equilibrium and Adaptisol formulas both contain therapetuic amounts of Ashwagandha. A blend of 7 herbal extracts including Ashwagandha that help your body balance your hormones.

As it brings hormones back into balance, Ashwagandha helps to counteract depression, increase energy levels and concentration, boost libido, reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and balance blood sugar levels.

Recent research has shown promising results for Ashwagahda as a natural treatment for PCOS, female sexual dysfunction and fertility problems. As part of supporting a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics help minimize inflammation and optimize metabolism of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone — ensuring balance of these key hormones.

Probiotics may also play a role in bringing balance to cortisol and insulin. To boost your intake of probiotics, add probiotic-rich foods to your daily diet. Foods that are good sources for probiotics include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, fermented sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, and kombucha.

Taking a probiotic supplement is another easy way to replenish your good gut flora on a daily basis. Look for a high quality probiotics supplement that includes multiple strains of probiotics to help diversify and strengthen your gut health. A powerful blend of eight different strains to supply an incredible 15 billion organisms per dose.

When you have a hormonal imbalance, getting more B vitamins helps to support improved hormone production and healthy hormone levels throughout the body. Here are some of the most beneficial B vitamins for your hormones. Vitamin B12 cobalamin is needed for methylation, a process in the liver that breaks down excess hormones and cellular waste.

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are tied with estrogen imbalances, and can result in fatigue, mood swings and increased inflammation among other symptoms. B12 is mostly found in animal products, meaning that vegetarians or vegans may be at risk for B12 deficiency.

A high quality multivitamin that contains B12 can bridge any gaps in your diet. Deficiencies in Vitamin B6 are connected to hormonal imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. Supplementing with B6 may be helpful for women in perimenopause and menopause with hormonal symptoms.

Studies also show that Vitamin B6 can help alleviate some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS , such as mood changes and irritability. A therapeutic dose of B6 is between 50 to mg daily. Vitamin B3 niacin helps to produce both sex and stress adrenal hormones and also supports liver function by removing harmful chemicals from the liver.

Niacin also helps improve circulation and suppress inflammation. Try to get approximately mg of Vitamin B3 daily. CBD is a type of cannabinoid, a plant chemical found in hemp that is earning a lot of buzz for its calming ability.

CBD and other cannabinoids interact with ECS receptors, influencing messages sent to the nervous system, organs and cells. When it comes to hormones, CBD may have the ability to provide relief for women who suffer from stress-related hormone imbalances.

As one small-scale study found, CBD helps to re-regulate the stress-activating hormone cortisol. Zinc is required for the conversion of T4 to T3, so a deficiency in the mineral can result in a thyroid hormone imbalance and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Zinc is an adaptogen for several key hormones, helping to rebalance inadequate or excess cortisol, estrogen and progesterone in women. Zinc also reduces inflammation, providing support for healthy hormone production.

Foods rich in zinc include meat, shellfish, chickpeas and other legumes, and pumpkin and sesame seeds. To supplement your zinc levels, look for a high quality multivitamin that offers zinc in the highly absorbable form of zinc amino acid chelate.

Remedying an adrenal imbalance starts with regulating cortisol — a necessary step toward restoring proper adrenal function. Over time, all this excess cortisol taps out the adrenal glands, leaving you feeling fatigued and burned out.

It also increases mental clarity and offers immune and blood sugar support. Rhodiola is one of the adaptogenic herbs included in our Adaptisol formal for adrenal hormone imbalance. As part of a natural approach to correcting hormonal imbalance, try adding lifestyle changes that support healthy functioning of your hormones.

Cholesterol in eggs is helpful in making all hormones, including progesterone and estrogen. Eggs also contain selenium, an antioxidant mineral that helps to remove free radicals that can cause damage and premature aging to the thyroid gland. In the United States, conventional table salt is fortified with iodine to provide the mineral, but women who eat non-iodized sea salt or a reduced salt diet may not be getting enough.

To boost your iodine intake, start eating more foods that are naturally rich in iodine, including sea vegetables kelp, dulse, hijiki, nori and seafood clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines. As you age, you produce less and less melatonin. Studies have found that cherries have the ability to increase melatonin levels, total sleep time and quality of sleep.

Cherries also contain other hormone-balancing nutrients including magnesium and Vitamin C. Apples contain a key compound — Calcium D Glucarate — that helps detoxify estrogen from the liver and improve overall estrogen metabolism, needed for hormonal balance.

Fiber in apples helps to flush this estrogen out through the colon. Pomegranates help by acting as a natural blocker in the body against harmful or excess estrogens. Pomegranates are rich in anthocyanidins — sugarless plant pigments — and flavonoids, which are both important for detoxifying and protecting cells.

Pomegranates are high in Vitamin C, and also rich in vitamins A and E and folic acid, which are all important for healthy hormone production.

Flaxseeds are rich in lignans — plant-based estrogens that promote hormonal balance of estrogen. Flaxseeds also contain beneficial amounts of Omega-3s and antioxidants, and insoluble fiber to help your body detox excess hormones. To reap benefits from this top food for hormone balance, toss a few handfuls of flaxseeds into your smoothie or sprinkle seeds on a salad.

Avocados are packed with beta-sitosterol, a compound that can positively affect blood cholesterol levels and help balance cortisol. Plant sterols in avocados also influence estrogen and progesterone. Rich in poly and monounsaturated fats, nuts aid in hormone production and help to maintain lower cholesterol and insulin levels.

The best nuts for hormonal balance are:. The best types of exercise for hormonal support are those that energize the body and work muscles at a more moderate level. Exercising at too high an intensity can trigger excess cortisol production, worsening adrenal hormone imbalances.

Moderate hormone-balancing exercises to try include:. As simple as it gets, going for a brisk minute walk on most days of the week is a cardio workout that relieves stress, gently works your muscles and lifts your aerobic output. You can walk indoors on a treadmill, but try to get outside.

Practicing yoga helps to calm your mind and reduce cortisol. Struggling with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms? Try these yoga for menopause symptom relief poses. If your knees and other joints tend to hurt during exercise, try swimming and water aerobics.

The buoyancy of water takes pressure off your joints, giving you the ability to exercise without pain. Plus, the added resistance of water gives your workout more muscle-strengthening power. The quantity of chemical compounds in our environment has increased exponentially.

Many of the most pervasive chemicals cause estrogen-like effects when they enter the blood stream which can cause or exaggerate hormonal imbalance. Here are some steps that can help:. If you think you may be experiencing a hormone imbalance, take our Hormonal imbalance quiz to help interpret what your symptoms are telling you.

If your hormones are imbalanced, the first step is to ramp up the support you give your body. Our effective natural solutions for hormone imbalance include plant-based supplementation and nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Together, these steps can resolve the root cause of your symptoms. Our approach to hormonal imbalance is comprehensive and works with your body to gently restore balance. See the difference we can make in your life. Shams, T. Efficacy of black cohosh-containing preparations on menopausal symptoms: A meta-analysis.

Your call is free. CALL M-F 9AM-6PM EST. Take A QUIZ Main menu Take A QUIZ. Hormonal imbalance. Bone health. Ashwagandha, in particular, can be extremely effective at balancing hormones. It benefits thyroid function because it promotes the scavenging of free radicals that cause cellular damage.

Ashwagandha can be used to support a sluggish or overactive thyroid, and it can also help to overcome adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals can become overtaxed when you experience too much emotional, physical or mental stress, leading to the disruption of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol and progesterone.

Holy basil, which is also known as tulsi, helps regulate cortisol levels, thereby working as a natural remedy for anxiety and emotional stress. Studies show that holy basil can also protect your organs and tissues against chemical stress from pollutants and heavy metals, which are other factors that can lead to hormone imbalance.

These mushrooms have been used for over 2, years in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM and are chock-full of beneficial compounds, including polysaccharides and polysaccharide peptides, beta-glucans, glycoproteins, and triterpenes that also support gut health, metabolic health and more.

TCM practitioners believe that the emotions of fear cause disease in your reproductive organs, kidneys and adrenals, affecting cortisol levels. This can lead to serious conditions like PCOS and infertility. The emotions of frustration, impatience and unforgiveness cause disease in your liver, which can lead to an estrogen imbalance.

Emotions of worry and anxiety can cause issues with your insulin levels , which can then affect several hormones. A major component of balancing your hormones naturally is addressing any emotional imbalances that you are dealing with.

You can do this by reducing stress levels, engaging in personal reflection and taking time for yourself. Practicing meditation or healing prayer can be extremely beneficial, and so can deep breathing exercises , spending time outdoors and exercising every day. Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies like acupuncture and massage can also help to improve hormonal balance, combat stress and improve blood flow.

A better alternative is to use natural products made with ingredients like essential oils , coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil. The Environmental Working Group evaluated tens of thousands of products and ranked them in an easy-to-understand guide to make sure you have a resource to keep your family safe.

To replace toxic body care and cleaning products, use these hormone-balancing essential oils:. Clary sage helps balance estrogen levels because it contains natural phytoestrogens. It can be used to regulate your menstrual cycle , relieve PMS symptoms, treat infertility and PCOS, and even reduce the chances of uterine and ovarian cancer.

It also serves as a natural remedy for emotional imbalances, like depression and anxiety. Diffuse three to five drops of clary sage to help balance hormone levels and relieve stress. To ease cramps and pain, massage five drops of clary sage with five drops of coconut oil into your stomach and any other area of concern.

Problems with your gut health have been found to cause autoimmune reactions, including thyroid disorders. Use fennel essential oil to relax your body, improve your digestion and gut health, boost your metabolism, and reduce inflammation.

You can rub two drops of fennel into your stomach or add one to two drops to a class of warm water or tea to take it internally. Lavender oil promotes emotional balance, as it can help treat anxiety, depression, moodiness and stress.

It can also be used to promote restful sleep, which helps balance your hormone levels as well. Diffuse five drops of lavender oil at home, add five drops to a warm water bath, or apply three drops topically to your temples, back or neck or wrists.

Sandalwood essential oil can be used to increase your libido, reduce stress, promote relaxation, boost mental clarity and even help you relax.

The powerful fragrance triggers peaceful feelings and results in the overall reduction of stress that can lead to hormone imbalances. Inhale sandalwood directly from the bottle, diffuse it at home, or apply two to three drops to your wrists and bottoms of the feet.

Thyme oil improves progesterone production , which helps treat or relieve health issues like infertility, PCOS, menopause , depression, fibroids, hair loss and insomnia. To help balance your hormones naturally, add two drops of thyme oil to a warm water bath, or rub two to three drops with equal parts coconut oil into your abdomen.

Some can disrupt your hormone balance, leading to side effects like fatigue, appetite changes, altered sleeping patterns, low libido , sadness and even depression. Some medications that can mess with your hormone balance include corticosteroids, stimulants, statins, dopamine agonists, rexinoids and glucocorticoids.

Beware of your medications, talk to your doctor about the side effects and research natural alternatives whenever possible. Birth control is another medication that alters hormone levels. Studies show that the health risks of taking them, especially long term, may include issues like:.

A lack of sleep or disturbing your natural circadian rhythm can be one of the worst habits contributing to a hormone imbalance. A lack of sleep, long-term use of corticosteroids and chronic stress are three of the biggest contributors to high cortisol levels.

Sleep helps keep stress hormones balanced, builds energy and allows the body to recover properly. Excessive stress and poor sleep are linked with higher levels of morning cortisol, decreased immunity, trouble with work performance, and a higher susceptibility to anxiety, weight gain and depression.

To maximize hormone function, ideally try to get to bed by 10 p. Popular Posts All Time This Week {position} Detox Your Liver: A 6-Step Liver Cleanse.

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