Your body has chemical messengers, or hormones, which orchestrate a wide range of physiologic processes. Too little or too much of a particular hormone can cause various side effects.

Changes in hormone levels can be challenging to manage, especially if you need insight into how the chemicals in your body affect your functioning. 

The body's ability to function, how you sleep, and how much energy you have all shift as we age. You might not be aware, but these changes are the result of something called a hormonal imbalance.

However, many men need help with how to recognise the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, attributing instead the alterations in their bodies they have noticed to other causes, such as age or poor diet and nutrition. But that only delays addressing the real issue, which can be a significant source of discomfort. 

Knowing the tell-tale signs of a hormone imbalance can help you diagnose the source of your troubles and find an effective treatment to get back to living your best life.  

Primary Hormones That Control Men

In addition to other hormones like cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones, testosterone is thought to play a crucial role in male development and health. They regulate your metabolism, sleep, mood, and sexual and reproductive health.

These hormones have far-reaching effects on the body, not simply on sexual activity. From their source in an endocrine gland, they disperse throughout the body to train organs and tissues to do their respective functions properly. 

Signs of Hormone Imbalance 

Positive emotions and boundless energy typically accompany balanced hormones. You might not feel your best if your hormones are out of balance. The way you feel, think and behave may all alter due to this.

The symptoms of hormone imbalance might vary widely from one man to another. To better understand hormone imbalance in men and detect its signs, let’s look at the following list of the five most common symptoms. 

Brain Fog. 

Brain fog is a symptom of hormonal imbalance, characterised by a lack of focus, increased irritability and fatigue.

Do you need help remembering things or keeping your attention span intact? It might be time to consult a professional and check your hormone levels. 

Mood Swings. 

Anger, rage, and depression are all symptoms of a hormonal imbalance in men.  As a result of attributing their mood swings to external causes rather than internal ones, many men may not seek professional treatment when they suffer such fluctuations. However, being aware of the signs of a testosterone imbalance and seeking treatment is the best action.

Weight Gain.

Hormones have an essential role in regulating metabolism. Their signals tell your body when mealtime has arrived. Weight gain may occur if your metabolism slows because of a lack of testosterone.

If you've been exercising regularly and eating healthily but have still been accumulating fat while losing muscle, consider increasing the intensity of your workouts. It's possible, though, that hormone imbalance is at fault despite your best efforts. Your efforts in the gym and diet will only pay off as much if you're experiencing a decrease in testosterone or an increase in cortisol.

​​Feeling Exhausted. 

If you deal with a lack of restful sleep throughout the day, and testosterone level changes may be to blame.

A change in your standard sleep patterns or energy levels, especially if getting extra sleep doesn't help, may indicate that your hormone levels need to be checked.

Loss of Libido.

While some of you likely know that hormonal fluctuations can affect libido, some might not realise this also applies to other aspects of their sexual function. It's possible that low testosterone levels can have an effect on libido as well as the ability to get and keep an erection.

You may experience significant psychological difficulty when you begin to lose your sex drive, which can burden your relationships. 

Ways to Naturally Balance Your Hormones

We live in a fast-paced society with poor dietary and exercise habits, which leads to widespread hormonal imbalances. However, you can maintain a healthy hormonal balance more naturally. We've compiled some starting point suggestions for you:

Priority number one: Eat more protein.

Proteins supply the body with the amino acids it needs to repair and maintain tissue, including muscle, skin, and bone. In addition, the hunger-suppressing hormones ghrelin and leptin are affected by protein.

Second, fill up on good fats.

Eat healthy fats like fatty fish, avocados, dark chocolate, eggs, and almonds. This approach can control your hormones and reduce insulin resistance and hunger.

Third, make time for regular physical activity. 

Regular exercise improves your hormone balance and can help lower insulin levels.

Next, stay away from processed foods. 

You can lower your risk of diabetes, obesity, and other health problems by controlling your carbohydrate and sugar intake.

Last but not least, find healthy ways to deal with stress.

Stress mainly alters cortisol and adrenaline levels. Attempt to schedule some time every day to engage in activities that help you relax and unwind.

You can do all you can to maintain balanced hormones with a good diet and lifestyle. However, it would be best to talk to your doctor about how to proceed with your diet.

Final Words

Hormonal imbalance could be a severe issue for you because of the enormous effect of natural and inevitable ageing on a man's hormone production. That's why it's crucial to recognise the symptoms that may indicate a shift in your hormone levels.

Symptoms of a hormone imbalance might be hard to spot since they may manifest in unpredictable ways or emerge very subtly at first. Low testosterone levels in men have been linked to an increased likelihood of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

It may be some time before you recognise the symptoms of a hormone imbalance. As a result, it's easy to dismiss the warning signs as the result of something else. Hence, it is best to start by talking to a professional healthcare provider about your condition.  

Talk to us at Optimale today to help you understand your health and circumstances and provide a personally tailored solution. 

Please take our quick online health quiz to get started on your individualised treatment plan today!