Hormones are chemical messengers that send critical messages through the body, helping to regulate everything from appetite and metabolism to menstrual cycles and sexual function. When hormones are out of balance, you may experience symptoms like fatigue or weight gain.

Conventional doctors often offer Band-Aid solutions for these symptoms like sedatives or estrogen replacement therapy, but these are woefully inadequate. Fortunately, there are many ways to correct a hormonal imbalance naturally:

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Hormones are powerful chemicals that send messages throughout your body, telling your organs what to do. They also regulate your appetite, metabolism, and reproductive and sexual functions. When they are out of balance, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, itchy skin, and mood swings.

Eating a healthy diet can help you balance your hormones and feel your best. This includes eating a variety of foods that are high in nutrients, especially ones that are rich in minerals. For example, magnesium is one of the most important minerals for hormonal health. It can be found in many different foods, including kale, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and beans.

While dietary changes can help improve some of the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, it is important to see an obgyn for proper diagnosis and treatment. A medical professional can perform blood work to diagnose the underlying issue and recommend treatments accordingly.

2. Exercise Regularly

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate major bodily functions like metabolism, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, and mood. While small changes in hormones may occur naturally throughout life, an imbalance of too little or too much of a particular hormone can cause serious side effects.

Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are two of the most effective lifestyle habits for balancing hormones. Exercise stimulates the production of hormones that can help improve mood, reduce stress levels, and promote healthy sleep patterns. In addition, consuming protein-rich foods after exercising can help boost muscle recovery and support hormonal balance.

Hormone fluctuations are natural, but if you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, irregular periods, or other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, talk to your obgyn. They can perform a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms and recommend treatment options.

4. Reduce Stress

Hormones are complex and powerful chemicals that influence everything from digestion, sleep cycles and reproductive health to mood and body temperature. When hormones get out of balance, you may notice symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, bloating, itchy skin and irregular periods.

Stress is one of the biggest factors that can cause a hormonal imbalance. Chronic stress can lead to an overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, which can have a negative impact on all other hormonal functions, including reproductive and metabolic hormones.

Lowering stress levels can help improve hormonal balance and restore normal bodily function. Practice stress reduction techniques, like deep breathing exercises, meditation and healing prayer.

5. Get Enough Vitamins and Minerals

Hormonal imbalances can happen for many reasons, like high stress levels, poor diet, or environmental toxins. Luckily, healthy lifestyle habits can help support hormonal balance and restore health, including eating a nutrient-rich diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep each night.

Adding supplements to your regimen can also support hormone balance. Probiotics like kefir or kombucha, B vitamins (especially vitamin B6) and folic acid, and botanicals like black cohosh or vitex can all help to regulate hormones and reduce PMS symptoms and other common signs of hormonal imbalance.