WHAT IS HORMONAL IMBALANCE?

This is a condition where there is too much of, or too little of a certain hormone. It does not matter how little that change may be, it is sure to have overwhelming effect all over the body.

My own experience in the journey of hormonal imbalance has taught me that no pain or condition should be ignored. No matter how little or subtle they may try to present themselves.

That said, what are hormones then? Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, produced in the endocrine gland. They travel around the bloodstream informing the tissues and organs of duties to perform. Controlling many of the body’s major processes including metabolism and reproduction.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE?

WEIGHT GAIN AND UNEXPECTED WEIGHT LOSS, FATIGUE, DIZZINESS, INFERTILITY, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, IRREGULARITIES IN MENSTRUAL CYCLE/ HEAVY PERIODS, MISSED PERIODS, STOPPED PERIODS, FREQUENT PERIODS AND (BLOCK FORM) PERIODS, FACIAL HAIR, ACNE, HAIR LOSS, VAGINAL DRYNESS, PAINFUL SEX, WEAKNESS, CRAMPS, SWEATING, HEADACHES, TO MENTION BUT THESE FEW.

HOW DOES HORMONAL IMBALANCE AFFECT THE DAILY LIFE OF A WOMAN?

In a lot of different ways, this can impact the lives of many women on a daily basis. One thing is sure, any woman in this condition can not have a day free of one, two or all of the following: Stomach troubles, mood swings, insomnia: this is having difficulty to sleep, infertility: this is not being able to conceive or get pregnant, insulin resistance, brain fog: this makes one to forget things, even something as little as where she left the same phone she has in her hand.

IS HORMONAL IMBALANCE LIFE THREATENING?

If left unattended to, the effect it presents to all aspect of life can be dangerous and even life threatening. At first, this experience looks so unharmful and subtle. This is very tricky too, as the symptoms seem to mimic other conditions such as loosing or gaining weight, constipation, exhaustion, sweating and some other conditions that easily pass for daily stress emanating from daily activities.

IS MENSTRUATION PAINFUL OR NOT?

Menstruation pain and discomfort are common. This pain is usually felt as muscle cramps in the stomach, back, breasts, headache and on the thighs. This can also occur as intense spasms or mild, but constant.

IS IT THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH EVERYONE?

No, it is not the same experience with everyone. This varies from person to person. Your hormones also play a very important role.

WHAT DOES IT MEANS FOR ONE TO HAVE IRREGULAR/ HEAVY CYCLE?

The major cause of this is irregular ovulation. This can happen when one is overweight or very underweight.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN PERIODS LASTS FOR DAYS AND WEEKS AND MONTHS?

This spells danger, this condition is called menorrhagia. Go see your Doctor.

WHEN SHOULD YOU RAISE ALARM?

You should raise alarm when bleeding is getting out of hand and when period lasts more than seven days. Also, when pain is intense and your body is receiving unpleasant signals.

WHO IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO SEE?

Your Doctor/your health care provider should be the one you must run to.

IS IT ALWAYS TRUE THAT ANY MONTH ONE DOES NOT MENSTRUATE, ONE IS PREGNANT?

There are times you miss your period and you are not pregnant, this is a signal that something is not right. It is time to see a Doctor.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENSTRUATION IRREGULARITY AND HORMONAL IMBALANCE?

Unbalanced hormones cause irregular periods. These hormones need to balance out. Life style change can play a vital role in this. But it is best to see a doctor.

HOW WOULD ALL THESE IMPACT FERTILITY IN A WOMAN?

Proper balanced hormone is essential for effective reproductive cycles in a woman, like the ovulation process and the overall system of conception.

WHAT SHOULD A GIRL KNOW ABOUT MENSTRUATION IRREGULARITIES, BLOCK FORM OR HEAVY MENSTRUATION AND LONGER DAY DURATION MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

A girl should know all of the above. Now is the time for every girl to acquaint herself with all the meaningful information she can get concerning this journey ahead of her.

JUSTIFICATIONS:

My own experience in the journey of hormonal imbalance has thought me that no pain or condition should be ignored. No matter how little or subtle they may try to present themselves.

I tried to justify every pain or sign I got, I could simply say, oh, I worked so hard today, or I could justify how I feel with something like, oh, I did not sleep in time last night.

Especially each time I felt dizzy, I found out that it was almost always very easy to find a fitting excuse to justify how I was feeling.

Like I said earlier, hormonal imbalance symptoms come or better still hide behind something else to be able to thrive.

I was as well going through grief and loss of two of my younger sisters who had passed, so, these symptoms found a good ground to hide, living me with little or no chance to think outside the box or to engage further investigation.

I would usually hang the pains and symptoms on the trauma, grief, and “busyness” of the day.

BLAME GAME VS FREEDOM

May I use this medium to point out these few observations: Sometimes people blame some other people for the pains they go through, especially here in Africa where we believe that witches could be behind our problems.

People sometimes tend to ignore certain signs and symptoms, terming them “natural” or “normal”. Thereby, letting things go way out of hand. And then turn around to point accusing fingers on someone else.

Most times, people do not engage the right consultation, enquiry and treatment until the condition is dire.

Many people find it hard to read and research. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Many people hide their conditions for fear of being stigmatized. Shame will only usher in more opportunities for more shame. Come out of your hiding place, there are so many people out there who have the solution to your malady and wants to give it free.