A hormonal imbalance can be a difficult concept to grasp–even and especially to those suffering from one.

Hormonal changes occur from the moment we’re born to the moment we die, with more pronounced shifts taking place in the teenage years, and for women in their 40s and 50s. While we chalk up certain physiological shifts as a result of our aging bodies (and minds), they may actually have nothing to do with the natural changes of aging and everything to do with a hormonal imbalance–regardless of age or other naturally occurring hormonal changes.

Calling something a hormonal imbalance is an easy explanation for just about everything–from otherwise inexplicable irritability to the sweat-soaked nights. Meanwhile, a hormonal imbalance also seems to be a result of just about everything–from diet to pollution, to stress. So, it’s no wonder why hormones are left so little understood; the scope of being influenced and influencing other things is just too wide.

And while a lot of the mood-related symptoms are commonly understood, far too few people are accustomed to the telltale physical signs that they have a hormonal imbalance, especially when multiple signs occur at the same time.

Here are five signs you have a hormonal imbalance.

Hormonal Imbalance Signs

1. Weight Gain

The adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce hormones, including adrenaline, aldosterone, and cortisol. A hormone imbalance can exhaust the adrenal system, which in effect makes it harder to lose weight or even maintain one’s regular weight. It can also lead to weight gain, without changing diet at all.

2. Sweating

A common symptom of premenopausal women, hot flashes and night sweats can occur at a younger age if a hormonal imbalance is present. If you repeatedly wake up sweaty or experience hot flashes during the day, without necessarily being in a hot climate, then a hormonal balance may be to blame.

3. Persistent Acne

A lot of women break out whenever they have their period due to normal hormonal shifts. However, if the acne persists, you may have high testosterone levels in your body. Testosterone stimulates the excess production of sebum oil, which gets stuck under the skin with acne-causing bacteria and dead skin cells. This leads to clogged pores, pimples, and blemishes.

4. Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness tends to occur when menopause approaches. However, a reduction of estrogen levels at any age can cause changes in the vaginal walls. Vaginal dryness makes sex uncomfortable.

5. Excessive or Unwanted Hair

High levels of testosterone in the body can cause women to develop excessive body or facial hair. All females produce androgens (male hormones), but the levels are normally low. Producing too many androgens lead to male-pattern hair growth and other unwanted male characteristics, such as a deep voice.

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Women. We are all unique in our own ways. But there is one thing we can agree on. Hormonal imbalance sucks. How you deal with it is as personal as your preference in diet or exercise.

When we hit mid-life, we women gain clarity, confidence, and wisdom. We also have to duke it out with our hormones. After decades of monthly cycles, PMS, pregnancy, childbirth…you’d think we would be off the hook with hormonal ups and downs. Oh no, the fun has only begun.

Then again, you may get through perimenopause relatively unscathed, though most women report at least a little discomfort. Even if you’ve never had a cramp or hormonal mood swing in your life, you can still get walloped with unexpected (and unwanted) pre-menopausal symptoms.

The symptoms of hormonal imbalance go well beyond hot flashes and mood swings. Anxiety, fatigue, sleeplessness, digestive issues, and headaches are all common complaints too, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you have yet to hit perimenopause and this all sounds like one hot mess, here’s a bit of advice I wish someone had given me – prepare yourself for the inevitable change and the symptoms it may be bringing with it.

None of us knows exactly when “the change” will occur, nor what particular symptoms it will bring. But getting clear on which approach you plan to take and arming yourself with some knowledge will help to fend off the insecurity and overwhelm this time can cause.

You may think the only options out there for peri and menopausal symptoms are hormonal supplements. And you’ve likely heard of the controversy surrounding traditional hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) from the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) which pretty much struck fear in the heart of every woman nearing 40.

The study basically showed that women taking synthetic hormones which contain pregnant horse mare urine, otherwise known as Premarin or Prempro, were more prone to breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Not only are our hormones not identical to horses (duh) but research has shown mares used for these drugs, and their foals, are not always treated well. These days we know more about hormonal supplementation and our options.

Bioidentical hormones are made to replicate the hormones our body produces naturally. These tend to have fewer side effects and seem to be better at treating symptoms. The key is in figuring out where you are low with the help of your doctor. But there are other options to consider first.

Dr. Sara Gottfried is an OB/GYN on a mission. Rather than simply prescribing a common synthetic hormone to patients who come into her office dealing with perimenopausal symptoms, Dr. Gottfried takes a multistep approach.

First, is your diet and lifestyle supporting you through this transition? Are you eating whole foods or cramming in junk? Getting adequate sleep or burning the midnight oil in an attempt to get it all done? Taking time to enjoy yourself and meditate or burning the candle at both ends (and down to the nub)? Fixing these issues can put you on the road to feeling better quickly.

If you are doing all of the healthy lifestyle steps listed above and feeling no reprieve, Dr. Gottfried feels certain nutritional supplements may help. There are many vitamin, adaptogens, and other herbal supplements that help some women with their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about adding these to your diet.

Or maybe you are ready for some hormonal supplementation. Bioidentical hormones can be tailored to the individual, not a one size fits all like synthetic hormones. Most doctors prescribe bioidentical hormones in the smallest dose possible to start with the idea of using them for a short time, just until the patient feels better.

I was very resistant to try any type of hormone, bio or not. My Mom died of cancer after years of taking Prempro and these didn’t fit in with my lifestyle. Diet changes and experimenting with natural supplements helped for a while, but when digestive issues set in I was willing to try (almost) anything. My doctor suggested a bioidentical progesterone and I knew after taking the first dose that this was what my body was lacking. I signed on for three months of the medication and after that, we shall see.

If your doctor is not on board with bioidenticals or other alternative therapies (mine fully dismissed the diet connection, which I totally disagree with) it may be time to look for a new doctor. In the meantime, two super helpful resources on the subject are “The Hormone Cure” by Dr. Sara Gottfried and “The Wisdom of Menopause” by Dr. Christiane Northrup.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image of confused woman via Shutterstock

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Has your mind seemed as cloudy as those winter skies lately? Comes with the territory. Learn how to clear up brain fog and bring back some shiny thinking.

Mental fatigue, brain drain, fuzzy head, cloudy thinking. Sound familiar? You don’t have to live with brain fog. There are simple and effective ways to clear the mind. Let’s take a look at common causes of a muddy mind and what to do about them.

Causes of Brain Fog and How to Clear Up

1 Sleep and Stress // Let’s start with the most obvious. If you are short on sleep or overly stressed, brain fog is an almost guarantee. Sleep bolsters our resilience and sharpens the mind. But even if you are catching proper Zzzs, stress can drain its benefits. Try meditation, journaling, or sharing with someone you trust.

2 Hormones // Yes, we have to go there. Hormones keep our bodies balanced and running smoothly. When in balance we don’t even think about them. Once they go out of balance, we take notice. Pregnancy, PMS, and menopause can all wreak havoc with our bodies and minds. If you suspect hormones are the culprit of your brain fog, talk to your doctor about possible remedies and try our tips to regulating hormones naturally.

3 Diet and Exercise // One of the easiest ways to bring ourselves back into balance, and this includes the mind too, is with diet. Eating fresh, organic, minimally-processed foods keeps body and mind happy and healthy. Keep in mind that low blood sugar rebounds leave the body and mind sapped. Eating healthy protein throughout the day, plus laying off sugar and caffeine, will keep blood sugar levels in check. And you may not feel like working out when you feel sluggish, but it will boost energy and mood. Give yourself a personal pep rally and get moving.

4 Screen Time // If you have kids you’ve likely noticed what too much screen time does to their mood. Grumpiness and irritation are not exclusive to the younger age bracket here. Set specific times to check email and messages, and schedule a time to turn your phone off (or at least put it out of reach) each evening. Research shows that not only does screen usage at bedtime make it more difficult to fall asleep, but affects your energy and awareness the next day.

5 Allergies // Yes, you can experience allergies in the winter too. Mold and dust can cause similar symptoms to spring and fall allergies; headache, stuffiness, eye irritation, and fuzzy head. Try rinsing your nose with a neti bottle and using a humidifier in your home.

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Image of woman with brain fog via Shuttterstock

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If ever there were a reason to 86 the chicken wings from your football party, this would be the one.

In a letter to the founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, PETA claimed that recent scientific research proves eating chicken wings during pregnancy has a negative impact on male baby penis size.

According to the letter, “Findings published by the Study for Future Families showed that eating poultry during pregnancy may lead to smaller penis size in male infants.” While the letter points out the “inherent cruelty of poultry production,” which is accurate, the connection between chicken wings and penis size is tenuous.

The study was actually meant to investigate prenatal phthalate exposure, not just eating chicken wings, to better understand how these chemicals affect fetuses. Researchers found that infants born to women with the highest phthalates exposure had smaller penises due to a decrease in the amount of testosterone available in the mother’s womb. It also linked high phthalate exposure to a higher likelihood of undescended testicles and a smaller anogenital distance (the distance between the anus and the genitals), a trait associated with femininity. And finally, high exposure was linked to lower sperm counts later in life.

But exposure to phthalates can happen in a variety of ways and eating chicken wings is relatively low on the list. If you want to ensure ample endowment in your male infant reduce your exposure to phthalates.

How to Reduce Phthalate Exposure

1. Use phthalate-free personal care products like soaps, body washes, shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics.

2. Avoid plastics with the recycling code #3.

3. Use PVC-free food storage.

4. Choose phthalate-free toys.

5. Choose PVC-free building materials and piping.

6. Eat fresh, local, and organic foods as much as possible.

7. Drink reverse osmosis filtered water.

Bottom line–chicken wings aren’t great for you, especially when they’re sourced from chickens full of antibiotics and hormones. In fact, a 2004 study from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, reported in The New York Times, found elevated levels of arsenic in chicken feed along with caffeine, banned antibiotics, and even Prozac.

And PETA is right in noting the sick cruelty associated with the factory farming of chickens. But buying organic chickens, free of all the above junk, and making your own chicken wings from time to time won’t relegate your future son to smaller than average manhood.

Related on EcoSalon:

Eating Healthy: 7 Mean and Poultry Food Labels To Look For
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Image: stuspivack

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Have you ever wanted to be a “babe in a bottle?” No? Me neither. The fragrance industry would love us to join in on the big scented party. Modern fragrances can be famously toxic and bad for our bodies, and yet people have been dosing themselves since the ancient woman figured out how to distill essence of lavender. Why? Because fragrance equals sex to our bodies. And the reason may go back to pheromones.

It’s science, fellow sniffers! You know that feeling when a member of your preferred gender nears who makes your stomach turn over and your knees buckle a bit? (Does Ryan Gosling help ring a bell?)  It’s all about chemistry and the scientific explanation behind it. Pheromones, strictly defined, are a chemical secretion that triggers a social response in a member of the same species. I know, when you put it that way, romance sounds about as appealing as ride in a Hummer with Karl Rove.

Further, there are all different kinds of pheromones, as some help us find food or deal with danger. It is the sex pheromones that are designed to let the world know when females and males want to get breeding. And pretty much every being on earth uses them, from microscopic organisms to insects to sea life to us.

And according to experts, pheromones are what really get things cooking on our ends. James V. Kohl is the author of The Mind’s Eyes: Human Pheromones, Neuroscience, and Male Sexual Preferences. As he told SeXis Magazine via Alternet, pheromones are enough to spark an interest in another person. According to Kohl, “Most actions are based on unconscious effects, animal behavior, where something causes a hormone to change without thought, when we start to think about it we have the option of behaving like an animal or thinking it through.” So as Kohl points out, they get us moving but don’t seal the deal. So we’re not all slaves to our chemical signals.

But that doesn’t mean pheromones aren’t powerful. Via Blisstree, the brain contains a special place to conduct pheromones called Nerve Zero. Since pheromones are not believed to smell in a traditional sense, it is Nerve Zero that is thought to process these chemicals and get things moving in our libido. Therefore, pheromones may help us choose mates and can affect fertility, puberty and more.

Some experts believe males release them through sweat glands or females during ovulation. But can you bottle them? There is a huge industry of pheromone sprays and perfume that claims you can, though experts remain divided on if they actually work. Botanical experts point to some natural substances that can help sex drive. Cinnamon might increase blood flood throughout the body (always a good thing) while pumpkin seeds, high in zinc, may increase sex drive.

But, in the end, do pheromones make us more attractive to our preferred gender? It’s very likely they do – just be sure, next time, to check in with your subconscious sex.

Image: pedrosimoes7

The post The Subconscious Sex: Pheromones and Why They May Rule Us All appeared first on EcoSalon.

Recently, I discovered “the Aniston syndrome.” And I’m not talking a mid-90s hair flip or Angelina Jolie’s extremely-played-out-imaginary nemesis. It seems a certain smug-section of bloggers have coined “the Aniston syndrome” to refer to careless old women who have dared to put their careers first, only to be suffering barren wombs and lives never truly lived. Which clearly, is represented in the tears of 40-something Jennifer Aniston, despite her amazing career, friends, body, and bank account.

It’s possible you’ve exploded with annoyance at this point – I’m sweeping up my own pieces right now. Because despite our post-feminist inclinations, society seems as hell bent as ever to shame childless spinster/old maids. If you aren’t hustling into motherhood post 35, you’re clearly tragic – even if you are Jennifer Aniston. And as a recently-engaged 38-year-old woman who wants kids but waited for the right partner, this has struck a nerve. Or two. Or twelve.

Here’s why. My fiancé and I are not rushing to get married. We are not rushing to get pregnant. We are not rushing, period. And we want children. I adore my nieces and could easily walk home with any of my friend’s babies, maybe possibly returning them in five weeks or years.

But try explaining this to the masses at large. “Thirty-eight and engaged” means “throw out the birth control pills, you aged fool” to many. I recently had an acquaintance congratulate me on my engagement and ask when I was getting married, only to immediately assert “Oh well, you’ll probably have to do IVF anyway. There’s no rush!”

To which I say – really? Really, self-satisfied acquaintance who represents a portion of society? Giving birth is probably the most personal thing any of us can do, yet it seems to be a topic on which many are eager to offer an opinion. Are fertility drugs the expected choice for struggling parents? And if fertility is now about choice, then why does it seem like adoption is the thing you’re supposed to consider AFTER you’ve put your body through courses of taxing hormones? What about the right to refuse fertility drugs?

I have several friends who used IVF with outstanding results. And with their wonderful children in tow, they couldn’t imagine not having made the choice to use them. I’m happy they did as well, as I love their kids as only an auntie bent on ultimate spoilage could. I was with them every step of the way through their struggles, supporting, crying tears of frustration and eventual happiness at their amazing news.

I love my friends, I love their babies, and I love that they made their own choices. Most of all, I love that they had the right to do it without my judgment. Everyone deserves the right to explore all options to start a family. And this include the decision not to take fertility drugs.

I’m not even going to begin to address the other issues that go into having a child or fertility treatments, such as financial position, stability and more. (A recent article in Newsweek details the extreme cost of fertility drugs here.) Despite the dire predictions associated with my bridal age, I don’t know if I will be faced with any extra costs to start my family. And since I also firmly believe that no one knows how they will truly react until they are in a situation – I can’t say definitively how I or my fiancé will address the issue if we encounter it. That’s the honest-to-Betsy truth.

But I do know this. A close family member, who is like my right arm, almost died six months after giving birth to her second child. She suffered an extremely rare condition called a hepatic adenoma, which was a benign liver tumor the size of a grapefruit. (Want to learn more about this condition? Click here.) She had no idea she had it until the day it ruptured. Bleeding internally for days, she would have died were it not for the skills of her insanely amazing doctors. (Shout out, UCLA Medical and Long Beach Memorial!)

And what caused her tumor in the first place? Hormones. We will never know if they were the natural hormones from her two pregnancies. We will never know if they were the artificial hormones from her use of birth control pills, since she had this crazy idea of not wanting to get pregnant on her honeymoon. But we do know that her tumor was caused by too much estrogen in her body.

Sure, her condition was extremely rare. And yes, it hasn’t happened to me – I know this because my doctor ordered an ultrasound for my liver and it is currently tumor-free. One of the greatest things about my life is that this family member, now sporting an impressive scar and a re-sectioned liver, is still hanging around. And that she gets to come with me next week to check out a wedding dress. Because she survived too many hormones in her body.

And – my point. The decision to take fertility drugs can be extremely complicated and should be respected. But same goes for the decision not to take them. It is okay to wait to have babies, and it is okay not to have IVF in your back pocket.

And best of all? I’m not the first person to think so. Fertility is everywhere in the news. We are aware of the science of conceiving and childbirth. We know it gets harder as you age. We don’t need you to remind us, creators of “the Aniston syndrome.” We can still choose fertility drugs, we can still choose to adopt, and we can still choose to remain childless. We just don’t need to be mocked/pitied/judged for it. And we don’t need to be rushed.

So, world at large, can we back off gossiping about older moms/barren women? What’s more, can we learn to respect all our different choices? I’m sure Jennifer Aniston is extremely tired of her public persona being one of tragic, childless spinsterhood. Because at the very least, we need to just focus on her how she got her amazing gams.

Image: bibbit

The post A Woman’s Right to Refuse Hormones appeared first on EcoSalon.

Every time you leave the water running while brushing your teeth, you vow you will break the habit soon because you care deeply about the planet’s resources. Eating meat makes you feel sad, knowing we are no longer hunters who cannot survive without animal protein, yet those subliminal burger ads are bringing out the Edward in you. And every time you leave the TV on all night, you wake up without the proper REM sleep and a higher power bill.

Be compassionate with yourself. Baby steps, dude. Baby steps.

At EcoSalon, we are proud to hold your hand and walk you through those first steps to becoming the conscious citizen of the world you envision. Here are 10 resolutions to get you from A (affluenza) to Z (zooplankton).

1. Phantom Energy

The no-brainer action you can take right now in your home to eliminate daily waste is to pull the plugs on appliances, machines and lights not in use. You will discover the savings and rewards by checking out this post.

2. Downer Meat

If you are what you eat, do you really aspire to be a sickly cow, pig or chicken? That’s exactly what you are pumping into your bloodstream and your family’s diet every time you buy and serve meat that has been treated with growth hormones and antibiotics and raised in inhumane, filthy conditions. Review how to avoid this putrid protein which is not only harming your body but the natural resources we treasure. Eat this up.

3. Over Dependence on Electric Appliances

Hanging your laundry out to dry will not bring down the hood! Give it a go and see how much it cuts down your power bill. Also, switch to Energy Star appliances to reduce the waste. Other steps include buying rechargable solar batteries, watching commercial-free television (meaning less TV) and yes, finding a mate more satisfying than your computer and other electric gadgets. Turn on here.

4. Refusal to Compost and Recycle at Home and at Work

Seriously, this is the new way of keeping up with the Joneses. It’s not about the new car in the garage but the bins on the curb. Our landfills are rapidly filling up, and said to be the most telling time capsules of our history as a modern people. Reuse and composting is everything because when you are throwing something out, remember, there is no “out.” Get on board, January 1! Back peddle to find out more.

5. All Driving and No Biking

We’ve told you how to improve your gas mileage, but you should also do what you will be forced to do in the future: Drive less because gas is pricey and bad for the air. Bike when you can, walk or take public transportation and get more fit a the the same time. You’ll also save on dreaded parking tickets! Looks good!

6. Wasting Water

Turn off that tap, shorten that shower, switch to a low water flush toilet, use towels more than once, switch out your green lawn for succulents. It’s that easy to make a difference for a thirsty world – growing more thirsty every day. Extra reading here.

7. Using Plastic and Other Disposables

Buy reusable water bottles and challenge yourself at the market to avoid single use plastic bags and packaging of all sorts. Take reusable bags with you, and when you forget, keep reusing the paper ones the market issued until they are ready to be recycled. Carry a reusable lunch box to work. Use cloth napkins, biodegradable utensils and plates. Say NO to plastics no matter what you hear in The Graduate. Save paper, and save trees! More info here, here and here.

8. Being Too Rushed to Buy Fresh, Local and Organic

You love your body, right? Not loving it means not taking the time to shop and eat sustainably, whether frequenting the local farmer’s market to choosing organic from the shelves of your neighborhood market. It’s not just about shedding pounds in the new year, but taking stock in the crock, and slowing down on the cooking and consuming. You will find healthiest people love their bodies this way.

9. Not Shopping Eco Wear

Wear your green on your sleeves in the coming year by investing in eco wear. It’s a matter of putting quality above quantity and supporting emerging vendors of garments woven of healthy fibers sans the harsh chemicals and dyes. Shop the top online eco boutiques.

10. Consistently Exposing Yourself to Chemicals You Can Avoid

Our moms got their hair and nails done weekly, and used make-up laced with poison that seeped into the skin. We don’t have to expose ourselves to chemicals in our everyday beauty and household products, but it takes discipline. Beauty background here.

Image: Sally M

The post Give It Up for 2010! EcoSalon’s Round-Up for Creating a Greener Year appeared first on EcoSalon.