Think You Have a Hormone Imbalance?

Melatonin 

Stimulated by darkness, melatonin is the main hormone responsible for restful sleep. When your body is lacking melatonin, you might find yourself waking up in the middle of the night or having difficulty falling asleep in the first place. Too much exposure to artificial light before bed (i.e. your smartphone or TV) can affect melatonin production so, to give yourself the best chance for a good night’s sleep, it’s important to limit screen time in the evenings. You can also give your body a melatonin boost by incorporating a supplement that contains man-made melatonin, like Plantwise Relax & Rest, into your nighttime routine. 

Serotonin

As a precursor to melatonin, serotonin is another hormone that influences sleep. However, it also helps to regulate your mood–so if you’re feeling a little down, there’s a chance you may be lacking serotonin. Interestingly, 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut so nourishing this system is vital. By eating a diet filled with a variety of foods, you can help keep your gut microbiome diverse and, in turn, encourage a healthy gut. Additionally, a supplement like Probiotics & Postbiotics can be beneficial as they help to rebalance your gut and support digestion. 

Dopamine 

Also called the “happiness hormone”, dopamine can promote concentration and focus by helping you feel content and motivated to work on the task at hand. While regular exercise can help trigger dopamine, you can also try a supplement that contains l-tyrosine, like the Destress Capsules from Rae Wellness, because the body needs this to create dopamine. 

Estrogen 

As March is Women’s History Month, we also feel it’s important to shine a light on how certain hormones can affect women and people who have periods or can become pregnant. The hormone estrogen, for example, is responsible for developing and maintaining the female reproductive system (though males have estrogen in their bodies too). Estrogen levels typically rise and fall twice during the menstrual cycle, and high levels can cause PMS symptoms like tender breasts, water retention, and mood swings. Estrogen can also make the lining of your womb grow excessively; this can lead to painful, heavy periods or difficulty maintaining a pregnancy. 

Relatedly, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder that affects 5-10% of people around the world. Those with PCOS produce higher than usual amounts of male hormones which can cause irregular periods, hair growth, acne, infertility, and other symptoms. If you feel you may be experiencing an imbalance like this, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor or OB/GYN.