Hormones: Symptoms of low levels and lifestyle changes to keep you in balance

You might think your excessive tiredness, lack of motivation and low energy levels are caused by stress or your busy schedule, but it might actually be time to have your hormones tested. Since estrogen and progesterone levels naturally rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle and change with age, doctors don’t rely on blood tests alone. They also consider symptoms, age and a medical and menstrual history, to get a clearer picture of what’s happening hormonally.

A comprehensive mid-life checkup which includes reviewing your family history, screen for common mid-life concerns, such as thyroid issues, diabetes or high blood pressure is key. This is especially valuable for women approaching menopause, but it’s also useful for identifying other health issues that might not be hormone related. While hormones naturally decline with age, lifestyle habits can make a major difference in how strongly those changes are felt.