POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS
WOMEN:
SYMPTOM GROUP 1
Progesterone deficiency: This is the most common hormone imbalance among women of all ages. You may need to change your diet, get off of synthetic hormones (including birth control pills), and you may need to use some progesterone cream and try saliva or blood testing for progesterone and estradiol.
SYMPTOM GROUP 2
Estrogen deficiency: This hormone imbalance is most common in menopausal women; especially if you are petite and/or slim. You may need to make some special changes to your diet and try saliva or blood testing for estradiol.
SYMPTOM GROUP 3
Excess estrogen: In women, this is most often solved by getting off of the conventional synthetic hormones most often prescribed by doctors for menopausal women. Once you're on a natural hormone regimen, you may want to get a comprehensive saliva or blood test.
SYMPTOM GROUP 4
Estrogen dominance: This is caused when you don't have enough progesterone to balance the effects of estrogen. Thus, you can have low estrogen but if you have even lower progesterone, you can have symptoms of estrogen dominance. Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 suffer from estrogen dominance. Try saliva or blood testing or just test for progesterone and estradiol.
SYMPTOM GROUP 5
Excess androgens (male hormones): This is most often caused by too much sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet and is often found in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Try saliva or blood hormone testing for progesterone, estradiol and testosterone.
SYMPTOM GROUP 6
Cortisol deficiency: This is caused by tired adrenals, which is usually caused by chronic stress. If you're trying to juggle a job and a family, chances are good you have tired adrenals. Try saliva or blood hormone testing for the Adrenal Function or one of the individual Cortisol tests.
You can also read about hormones in books by Dr. John R. Lee (you can find books from www.amazon.co.uk).