What Is a Hormonal Imbalance? Hormones are chemicals in your body that are produced by the endocrine glands. Hormones move through your bloodstream to reach the organs and tissues in your body, and regulate functions like: Appetite and metabolism Sleep cycles Heart rate Sexual and reproductive functions Overall growth and development Mood and stress levels Body temperature A hormonal imbalance occurs when your body produces too much or too little of the important hormones in your bloodstream. Although an occasional irregularity is not harmful, a major imbalance can have severe consequences on your health. For women in their 40s or 50s, that’s likely a sign their body is transitioning to menopause. It’s common for those entering this natural stage of life to gain weight and belly fat (sometimes called “menopause belly”) and experience other bothersome symptoms — sleep-interrupting night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness that causes pain during sex, urinary tract infections, irregular periods, depression, thinning hair, mood swings, weight gain and more. LISTEN IN to learn more!