HOW TO DEAL WITH HORMONAL IMBALANCES AS A COUPLE

Hormones dictate a lot, so knowing how to deal with hormonal imbalances is vital to keep your marriage strong.

From mood to metabolism and even sexual function, your hormones affect many areas of your life. It can be frustrating when these hormones fall out of balance.

Hormonal imbalances can occur for all kinds of reasons, and they can directly impact your spouse and your marriage.

Thankfully, there are five specific actions you can take to keep your marriage strong as you explore how to deal with hormonal imbalances.

What are Hormones?

Simply put, hormones are chemicals that enter your bloodstream to send messages throughout your body.

Hormones mainly come from endocrine glands.

The thyroid, pituitary gland, testes, ovaries, and pancreas are examples of some of the major endocrine glands.

Common hormones include insulin (produced by the pancreas), dopamine (produced in the hypothalamus), estrogen (produced in the ovaries), and so on.

Ideally, your body would produce the optimal amount of hormones to keep your mind and body functioning well.

But, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Signs and Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances can lead to a myriad of health conditions.

Certain hormone issues can lead to conditions such as male and female infertility, thyroid disease, obesity, and more.

These symptoms can directly affect many of your 6 Pillars of Intimacy®.

For example, infertility can affect your emotional intimacy as a couple. Fatigue and depression, which can be symptoms of thyroid disease, might impede recreational or sexual intimacy.

If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, consult your medical professional.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalances

There are many causes for a hormonal imbalance.

Identifying why you’re experiencing a hormonal imbalance is the best first step in learning how to deal with it.

Your hormone levels are constantly fluctuating, even throughout the day. These changes are normal. However, even a slight imbalance in your hormones can lead to significant disruptions in your physical and mental health.

Stress or certain medications can cause acute hormone imbalances.

During some phases of life, hormones change dramatically, such as during pregnancy or menopause.

Chronic hormone imbalances, though, may come from an autoimmune disorder, issues with an endocrine gland, or a tumor.

Depending on the cause and severity of your hormonal imbalance, you may have various options for how to deal with hormone imbalances. For example, lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, supplements, or other treatments can help balance hormones.

Consult a medical professional with any questions you may have.

How to Deal with Hormonal Imbalances in Your Marriage

If you or your spouse are dealing with hormonal imbalances, take action to protect your marriage.

Dealing with the symptoms of hormone imbalance and the stress of addressing these issues can cause cracks to form in your 6 Pillars of Intimacy®.

There are five strategies you can implement to keep your marriage strong while you deal with hormonal imbalances.

1. Understand the Problem 

Although only one of you may be affected by hormone challenges, you should both know what is going on. Many online resources explain the endocrine system’s effects on energy levels, mood, and behavior. Explore these resources.

For example, Katalyst Wellness offers free online hormone courses called “Simple Hormones.”

These courses cover topics such as menopause, insulin resistance, thyroid hormones, brain health, PCOS, and male health. Create a free account to gain immediate access to these online learning options.

2. Be Patient with your Spouse 

Hormonal imbalances can lead to mood swings, irritability, fatigue, and other behavioral changes.

It is essential to be patient with each other and extend grace.

Consider showing your spouse extra love through small gestures. It could be as simple as writing them a sweet note or helping them with a household core.

3. Make Lifestyle Changes Together 

Certain lifestyle changes can help you or your spouse balance hormones naturally. For example, exercising, eating well, and minimizing stress can help improve hormone imbalance.

A great way to build intimacy during this season is by making lifestyle changes together.

Support and encourage each other as you implement new health strategies.

4. Find Community Support 

Many people experience imbalanced hormones at some point in life. It can be helpful to speak with others who have faced this.

Since hormonal imbalances can affect your mental, emotional, and mental health, ask for help from your community when needed.

5. Seek Professional Help 

If you have questions or concerns about your hormones, it’s important to seek professional advice.

A medical professional can diagnose conditions and discuss treatment options. You may also wish to visit a wellness clinic such as Katalyst Wellness. This is the clinic that we go to as we work on balancing our hormones.

Speaking with a medical professional can be daunting. But taking action to resolve hormonal imbalances can improve the quality of life for both of you, which leads to a happier and healthier marriage.