5 Hormone Issues Your Annual Checkup Might Be Missing (And What To Do About Them)

Reviewed By: Amy Killen, M.D.

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Everyone knows hormones control moods and sex drive, right? Actually, they do so much more. Hormones are really your body's messengers, sending signals from your brain and endocrine glands to every organ and system. When these delicate chemical balances shift, the effects can ripple throughout your entire body. 

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Fatigue, trouble sleeping, low libido, hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain and weight gain are just a few common symptoms. Unfortunately, many women see five or more physicians before learning that their seemingly unrelated symptoms stem from hormones. For men, low hormone levels often go unidentified, despite their impact on the body and overall well-being. 

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Why? Standard annual checkups rarely include comprehensive hormone testing, leaving these crucial health indicators unexamined. 

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Here are five everyday symptoms that may be a sign it’s time to check your hormones:

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1. Persistent Trouble Sleeping

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Waking up repeatedly or having trouble falling asleep? Fluctuations in melatonin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can fundamentally alter sleep patterns for both men and women. Approximately 40% of women in perimenopause report issues with their sleep. 

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Low-quality sleep is more than a nuisance. Chronic poor sleep significantly increases your risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and other serious health conditions.

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2. Unexplained Fatigue and Energy Crashes

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If you're getting enough sleep but still feel exhausted, it may have to do with thyroid imbalances, cortisol dysregulation, or declining sex hormones. For women, this shift typically begins in their 30s as they enter perimenopause, or the transition into menopause. For men, this shift can happen as early as their 30s too. 

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Thyroid hormones affect how quickly the body processes calories into energy and helps to regulate body temperature. Cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, regulates the production of energy from food, ensuring the body has enough energy to manage stressful times. Meanwhile, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone help maintain energy, libido, and strength. 

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3. Brain Fog and Forgetfulness 

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Most people blame "brain fog," forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating on aging. But brain energy issues can also be connected to hormonal shifts. In fact, neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi recently discovered that women experience a 30% drop in brain energy during the menopause transition due to the loss of estrogen. Additional studies show that two-thirds of menopausal women report challenges with short-term memory, often compounded by sleep issues and mood changes. 

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4. Inflammation and Joint Pain

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Those mysterious aches and pains might be more than overexertion. Hormonal imbalances can trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body, leading to joint pain, aches, and stiffness. Men experiencing decreases in testosterone and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may notice a loss of muscle mass and slower recovery times. 

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Similarly, in women, muscle mass loss, slower recovery, and musculoskeletal pain are some of the most common menopause symptoms. This is because estrogen helps protect the brain and spinal cord from chronic inflammation. As levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, women become more vulnerable to inflammation and pain. 

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5. Bone Health Deterioration

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While you may not notice bone health as a daily symptom, changing hormones significantly impact bone density. Since standard physical exams for adults under 65 rarely include bone density testing, your bones could be weakening long before any symptoms appear.

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Estrogen helps slow the natural breakdown of bones. Research shows that as levels drop during perimenopause, bone loss starts and speeds up dramatically during the first two years of menopause. The result is dire: 50% of women will have osteoporosis, a bone disease that makes bones weaker and more prone to fractures, disability, and even death. 

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A Comprehensive Approach Makes All the Difference

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Your body and its hormones are an interconnected system. Modern medical approaches are combining multiple solutions to address the whole system, rather than isolated symptoms. Hormone optimization therapies, alongside supplements, fitness regimens, and lifestyle guidance, can effectively manage health concerns, while helping you feel better. 

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At Humanaut Health, this integrative approach is the foundation of our hormone optimization program. We begin with a comprehensive evaluation of over 80 health markers, including hormone levels, bone density, and metabolic function. Based on your unique test results, Humanaut's medical providers develop integrative care plans which may include:

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• Bioidentical hormone therapy
• Peptide therapy
• Other medical prescriptions
• Personalized supplement regimens
• Wellness treatments
• Regenerative medicine for hair, skin, and sexual organs  
• Targeted lifestyle modifications

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Ready to uncover what's really happening with your hormones and health? Our hormone optimization specialists and state-of-the-art clinic can help you navigate these changes with clarity and confidence, allowing you to feel like yourself again. 

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Get started with Humanaut Health today.

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