What Causes Hormonal Imbalances in Women?

Your hormones control many functions in your body, from your metabolism and your sleep cycle to your reproductive and sexual function. In women, certain hormones fluctuate wildly at key points in their lives. When hormones are out of balance, you’re likely to suffer a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. 

If your life is veering off-track because of major hormonal fluctuations and traditional medicine doesn’t have satisfactory answers, it’s time to consider Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been used in China for more than two centuries to help treat female hormonal issues and other conditions. 

Dr. Donghwan Lee, a board-certified acupuncturist with DH Acupuncture in New York, New York,  was trained by top masters of TCM in China. He has in-depth knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine, including acupuncture techniques that can help rebalance your hormones. 

What causes hormonal imbalances in women? 

Estrogen and progesterone, key female hormones, fluctuate dramatically at certain times in your life. Puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause are major points at which female hormone levels are changing rapidly and can be out of balance. 

Autoimmune disorders can also cause hormonal imbalances. As a woman, you’re at higher risk of an autoimmune issue such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. These cause thyroid dysfunction, which produces symptoms such as excess sweating, fatigue, and even the inability to ovulate. These conditions are more likely to occur in women after pregnancy or menopause — events during which your hormones are swinging to extremes. 

Stress is an ever-present factor in modern life. Researchers have found that stress can be a factor in hormonal imbalances. 

If your female hormones are out of balance, you might be suffering any of the following symptoms and more: 

• Night sweats 
• Mood swings 
• Hot flashes 
• Loss of sex drive 
• Brain fog
• PMS
• Migraines
• Heavy periods
• Irregular periods
• Hair loss
• Weight gain

In addition to these distressing symptoms, as a woman you’re at risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common female hormonal disorder. It affects fertility, so it should be addressed right away if you want to have children. It may be the reason for your irregular periods and/or unexplained weight gain.  

Traditional Chinese medicine can help hormonal imbalances

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are two standard treatments in TCM for hormonal imbalances. 

Chinese herbal medicine

Dr. Lee has in-depth knowledge of which herbs are going to help regulate your hormonal imbalance and the proper methods of herbal delivery, which may be in various forms, including pills or other methods. 

Western medicine often uses synthetic hormone replacement to treat women’s hormonal imbalances. On the other hand, TCM uses herbs to help your body produce the level of hormones it’s supposed to produce. Dr. Lee uses different herbs to calm various kinds of hormone imbalances such as postpartum depression and menopause. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another central pillar of Chinese medicine. Western medicine has shown that  acupuncture is an effective treatment for numerous ailments, including treatment of hormonal disorders associated with menopause, ovarian dysfunction, problem periods, and more. Western research has found that TCM is also an effective treatment for PCOS; it increases the production of sex hormones and regulates sugar and lipid metabolism.  

Female hormones change dramatically during menopause. This is the reason the period is called “the change of life.” You may have experienced some uncomfortable and distressing symptoms if you’re in perimenopause or menopause. You may feel heat suddenly rising in your body and ending in an outpouring of sweat that wets your clothing. Your sleep may be interrupted by night sweats. Your mood may change, and you may find yourself more irritable than usual or riddled with anxiety. 

Acupuncture can improve hormonal imbalances that lead to common menopausal symptoms that can make life difficult. A 2019 study found that acupuncture led to decreased hot flashes, fewer mood swings, and better sleep. 

Don’t let mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, or other symptoms of hormonal imbalance in your body keep you from enjoying life. Call DH Acupuncture today or request an appointment through our online portal.