Hormonal imbalance develops when the normal functioning of the endocrine system changes. Yes, this may sound basic, but we are talking about the “production and control system” of our hormones, especially when we are over 40! 😰

It’s a fact: women go through menopause. But what exactly causes hormonal changes? And why do they happen? If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be a sign that your hormones are out of balance. Here’s everything you need to know about why women have trouble with their periods, moods, and more as they age.

Menstrual cycle changes over 40

If you’ve noticed a change in the length, flow, or pain of your menstrual cycle, it could indicate that your body is out of balance. Even slight hormonal imbalances can cause trouble for women over 40. In addition to irregular periods, other symptoms include:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Sleep disruption
  • Loss of libido and sex drive (also known as low estrogen)
  • Mood swings and depression (also known as low progesterone)

If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you, talk with your doctor about how best to treat them. Some common treatments include bioidentical hormones or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has been shown effective at reducing hot flashes by up to 50% within three months. It also helps with sleep disruption in more than half of patients who try it; however, some side effects, like headache, might occur when starting HRT, so make sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor before taking any new medication!

Mood swings and irritability over 40

You may have mood swings and irritability because of a lack of sleep, or it could be caused by stress or anxiety. If you’re dealing with any of these issues, you must talk to your doctor about them to find ways to address them.

Irritability can also be a symptom of depression—another thing that should be discussed with your doctor if you’re experiencing it.

Low sex drive

A low sex drive is a common symptom of hormonal imbalance. It can be caused by several factors, including stress, lack of sleep, and physical or emotional trauma. It can also be caused by a medical condition like thyroid disease or diabetes that affects hormone levels. In some cases, low libido may result from getting older and not having as much energy as you used to.

In any case, if your libido has dropped considerably in recent years—whether it’s due to hormonal imbalances or other factors—it’s essential to talk about the issue with your doctor so they can help you figure out what’s happening. In addition, by talking about it, you can figure out whether there are steps that you can take to address this issue (e.g., medication).

Heavy or irregular bleeding

Heavy or irregular bleeding, including bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, and after menopause, can be signs of hormonal imbalance.

Bleeding before or during your period can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition like fibroids, polyps, or cancer. Therefore, you must see your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle.

Unexplained weight gain

As you age, hormonal changes may cause unexplained weight gain. The reasons for this can vary depending on your body chemistry and lifestyle. If you notice that your appetite has increased without a corresponding increase in activity levels, you may want to examine whether or not your hormones are out of balance.

It would help if you also watched out for cravings for higher-carbohydrate foods such as bread and pasta, as they can be signs of an imbalance between insulin production and growth hormone production (which regulates metabolism). Similarly, water retention—a common symptom of low thyroid function—can lead to bloating, which makes it difficult to lose weight even when inappropriate food choices are avoided, or regular exercise is performed. Finally, excess fat storage due to high estrogen levels in the body is another potential cause of unexplained weight gain after age 40. however, this is less common than other factors mentioned above because women generally have lower estrogen levels after menopause than during their reproductive years.

Exhaustion, depression, or anxiety

You may experience various symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and anxiety. These are common side effects of hormonal imbalance and can be exacerbated by menopause. Research shows that women who have experienced menopause commonly report symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some studies have shown that up to 50% of women over 40 who go through menopause will experience these issues!

It’s important to note that low estrogen levels are also strongly associated with mood disorders like depression or anxiety. However, they don’t cause them directly—symptoms will only appear when natural processes like aging or illness cause a significant drop in estrogen production.

Thinning hair or hair loss

You may also notice that your hair is falling out more or growing thinner than it used to. Hair loss can be caused by several factors, including genetics, stress, and poor nutrition. If you have not been diagnosed with cancer or any other illness that causes hair loss, hormonal imbalance is one possible cause. Hormone imbalances are common for women over 40, which often coincides with the other symptoms listed above.

Hot flashes or night sweats

One of the most common signs that you’re going through menopause is hot flashes or night sweats. These are sudden feelings of warmth and flushing, often accompanied by redness in your face or neck. Hot flashes can also cause sweating, which may be enough to wake you up during sleep. A hot flash usually lasts less than five minutes, but it can be very uncomfortable while they last.

Hot flashes and night sweats can happen at any time during menopause, but they’re more common in the evening or at night when the temperature drops and your body doesn’t have many other things competing for blood flow (like exercise).

Sleep problems and insomnia

Many women over 40 experience sleep problems, a condition known as insomnia, which can be caused by stress, depression or anxiety, and hormonal imbalance.

One of the most common symptoms of low estrogen levels is insomnia. Women with low estrogen are more likely to experience sleep disturbances like difficulty falling asleep and waking up several times during the night compared to their premenopausal peers, who have higher estrogen levels.

Other symptoms include fatigue during daytime hours and hot flashes (a sudden feeling of heat that usually lasts for only a few minutes). If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or want tips on improving your sleep quality (including natural remedies), check out our article How To Sleep Better In Your 40s & Beyond!

Many women experience worsening hormonal symptoms (such as PMS and perimenopause) in their mid to late 30s.

However, it’s important to note that hormonal imbalance can affect women at any age, including teenagers!

The menstrual cycle changes many women experience in their late 30s are often the first signs of hormonal imbalance. It’s not uncommon to have more than one day of bleeding each month, a shorter or longer period between cycles, and irregular periods.

If you have these symptoms, you must talk with your doctor about what may be happening and what you can do about it! While some changes in your menstrual cycle are regular as you age (such as lighter periods), others could be signs of hormone imbalance or other health issues.

Conclusion

As we see in this blog post, many different things can cause hormonal changes in women over 40. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and want to learn more about what might be causing them, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider as soon as possible so that they can help you figure out what’s going on!

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