As your body’s chemical messengers, hormones influence many crucial processes within your body. When the delicate balance of these hormones is thrown off, you may experience various symptoms, including cravings.
While cravings can stem from many things, including your emotions and even nutritional deficiencies, hormones can play a big role. Keep reading to learn more!
Hormonal Changes During Menstruation
The menstrual cycle triggers hormonal fluctuations in women, which can contribute to cravings. For example, when estrogen levels are low, but progesterone levels are high, it’s common to experience increased cravings. With this imbalance, many women also feel less satisfied after a meal, as higher estrogen levels are linked to increased feelings of satiety.
Estrogen also reduces levels of ghrelin, a hormone that acts as an appetite stimulant, while boosting the effects of cholecystokinin, a hormone that acts as an appetite suppressant. So, chronically low estrogen levels due to menopause or other factors can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
Increased Cravings Due to Fatigue
Many people experience increased cravings when they’re feeling fatigued or worn down. Hormones, namely ghrelin and leptin, can contribute to this effect. Ghrelin, an appetite stimulant is primarily made and released from empty stomach tissue. Leptin, on the other hand, is an appetite suppressant that’s stored in body fat.
These hormones are closely linked to circadian rhythm (the 24-hour cycle of daylight and darkness in a day). A lack of sleep can throw off your circadian rhythm, leading to lower leptin levels and higher ghrelin levels. This causes an increased appetite and cravings, often for sweet or fatty foods. If you’re experiencing cravings resulting from a hormonal imbalance or menopause, we can help resolve your symptoms with BioTE® (bio-identical hormone subcutaneous pellet therapy). Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation!