Current:Home > FinanceBurley Garcia|The hormonal health 'marketing scheme' medical experts want you to look out for -WealthMindset Learning
Burley Garcia|The hormonal health 'marketing scheme' medical experts want you to look out for
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-08 02:08:15
If you're scrolling through social media and Burley Garciasee a product labeled as something to help you balance hormones, you might want to do a bit more research before you make any purchases.
"Most of the time when you see the phrase 'balancing hormones' or 'imbalanced hormones' on social media, it's part of a marketing scheme," gynecologist Karen Tang, M.D., tells USA TODAY. "It's to sell things like courses or hormone detoxes or supplements. Most of the time, if we were to check someone's actual hormone levels by drawing their blood, they would be perfectly normal."
This isn't to say hormonal imbalances don't exist — they do, but some products and influencers will have you believing it's a problem you have before a medical professional can actually do tests that would determine what you're dealing with.
"It's normal for hormones to fluctuate from moment to moment, day to day and in parts of your cycle, and hormones like insulin and cortisol fluctuate from moment to moment depending on different stimuli," Tang says. "That's actually how your body is meant to work: to regulate different functions of the body by altering and adjusting hormone levels in response."
Here's how to tell if you actually have a hormonal imbalance — and what medical experts recommend you do about it.
When does menopause start?And what to know about how to go through it easier
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance:
The body is made up of more than 50 different kinds of hormones, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which makes it difficult to give blanket symptoms of a hormonal imbalance.
Common hormonal issues include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, perimenopause and menopause, according to Tang. Symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight change, extreme thirst, change in bowel movement frequency, acne, irregular periods and hot flashes may be an indicator of one of those issues, per Cleveland Clinic.
"Those are reasons to talk to your doctor and ask about testing specific hormones," Tang says.
How to balance hormones
As Tang noted, most people don't have a "true hormone imbalance or endocrine condition that needs treatment."
If any of the aforementioned symptoms are hurting your quality of life, health experts recommend seeing a medical professional, who can run tests and properly diagnose the condition. Depending on what the issue is and what's causing it, your doctor may explore options including hormone replacement therapy, oral or injection medication, surgery or replacement therapy, per the Cleveland Clinic.
More:Why Elon Musk and so many others are talking about birth control right now
At home, Tang recommends focusing on things like stress management, a balanced diet, sleep and exercise to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar at regular rates.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Louisiana teen Cameron Robbins missing after going overboard on Bahamas cruise during graduation trip
- Prom Dresses Under $100: 23 On-Trend Styles Worthy of a Viral Moment
- Sandra Lee Serves Up Details on Her Date Nights With Partner Ben Youcef
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Many Afghans who fled Taliban takeover two years ago are still waiting for asylum in U.S.
- Joran van der Sloot, Natalee Holloway murder suspect, severely beaten in Peru prison, lawyer says
- Transcript: Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova on Face the Nation, June 4, 2023
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's Daughter Bella Shows Off Hair Transformation in Rare Selfie
Ranking
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Joran van der Sloot, Natalee Holloway murder suspect, severely beaten in Peru prison, lawyer says
- Canada will be the first country to print warning labels on each cigarette: Poison in every puff
- Top-Rated Tinted Sunscreens To Achieve That “Your Skin, but Better” Look Along With Your SPF
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Transcript: Brad Smith, Microsoft president and vice chair, on Face the Nation, May 28, 2023
- Switzerland was Tina Turner's longtime home. Why did the star leave the U.S.?
- 11 Beauty Products to Help You Wake Up in the Morning
Recommendation
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Cardi B and Her Entire Family Have Joined the Cast of the Baby Shark Movie
Teen Mom's Jenelle Evans Says Relationship With Jace Is Closer Than Ever After Custody Battle
For the first time, more money is going into solar power than oil
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Russia used starvation tactics against Ukraine civilians, investigators claim in new war crime allegation
Birth of world's rarest and critically endangered fruit bat caught on camera
Nova Scotia wildfire forces 16,000 to evacuate, prompts air quality alerts along U.S. East Coast