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Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy-How to Manage? 

July 9, 2025

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy – How to Manage?

quite challenging to manage

A woman’s body undergoes various changes during pregnancy. While physical changes are visible, hormonal changes are not. The changes and fluctuations in hormones are what cause the emotional changes, pregnancy-related mood swings, etc. It can be quite challenging to manage them when you don’t know why it happens or how to tackle it. Here are some ideas to help manage hormonal changes.

Changes Caused by Pregnancy

When a woman conceives, her body starts changing rapidly to support the growing baby. Physical changes like a growing baby bump, changes in skin, thicker hair, increase in breast size are very common and noticeable. An increase in heartrate, changes in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, itchy skin, etc., are some of the physiological changes in pregnancy that are not visible to others.

Hormonal changes are also very common in pregnancy. Too much or too little of a particular hormone in the blood can lead to hormonal imbalances during pregnancy. After implantation, the body starts producing more of certain hormones to support the developing fetus. Hormones are nothing but chemicals the endocrine system produces to facilitate the smooth functioning of the entire body. These hormones are responsible for conveying important messages to the entire body and telling them what to do or not to do.

Signs of Hormonal Imbalance During Pregnancy

Since hormones are produced inside the body, a change or imbalance in them is not as easily noticeable as a growing pregnancy belly. Here are some common signs of hormonal imbalance or fluctuations during pregnancy:

1. Tender Breasts – One of the first symptoms of pregnancy is tenderness or soreness in the breasts. This happens due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels in the blood.

2. Digestive Issues – An increase in hormone levels can lead to bloating, constipation and a general slowdown in digestion. This can make you feel full and uncomfortable or even cause a loss of appetite.

3. Sleep Trouble – Inability to sleep through the night, insomnia, feeling restless when sleeping or sleeping more than usual are all signs of hormonal changes.

4. Skin Changes – The increase in melanin during pregnancy can cause changes in skin colour and patches of dark skin on the face or the body, known as chloasma. It can also cause excess drying of the skin, leading to itchy, flaky or uncomfortable skin texture.

5. Headaches – Headaches are a common sign of hormonal changes and insufficient sleep. Changes in hormones can disrupt sleep patterns.

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Tips to Manage Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy

hormonal changes or fluctuations during pregnancy

You cannot prevent hormonal changes or fluctuations during pregnancy. You can try the following to manage them:

1.  Eat on Time – Ensure you are well every few hours. During pregnancy, it is better to eat more number of smaller meals than three big ones.

2. Get your Protein – Include protein in your meals. Protein is not only essential for fetal development but will also keep you fuller for longer.

3. Regular Exercise – Regular, mild exercise throughout the pregnancy after getting the doctor’s approval can  help manage hormonal changes and aid in delivery, too.

4. Sufficient Sleep – It can be difficult to find the right position and to sleep throughout the night with all the digestion and other issues, but getting a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day can help maintain the hormonal balance and is important for fetal development, too.

5. Stress Buster – Identify some activities that can help reduce your stress. You can play pregnancy-safe games with dear ones, take up a hobby, or even do art if meditation or yoga is notworking for you.

6. Get Help – Don’t try to do it all. Get help wherever possible. The less you stress over issues around you, the lesser your hormonal fluctuations will be.

7. Close Watch – Listen to your body and keep a close watch on all the changes. If needed, your doctor may prescribe supplements to restore the hormonal balance, as some changes can affect fetal development and pregnancy.

8. Connect – Even if the pregnancy is tough and dampens your entire mood all day, make an effort to connect with your partner, friends, family or co-workers. Socialising is essential for mental well-being, and it can help regulate stress levels and hormonal changes in multiple ways.

9. Eat Right – What you eat can impact your hormone levels. Excess sugar intake due to pregnancy cravings can not only increase the risk of gestational diabetes but can cause hormonal fluctuations, too. It can increase insulin levels and impact the body in multiple ways.

10. Go Easy – Pregnancy can bring about many changes and affect your productivity or memory. Learn to take it easy and be gentle with yourself. Being critical or having very high expectations can not only increase stress and cortisol levels but can bring in a sense of failure or disappointment, which can increase the risk of depression and other negative emotions. This, in turn, can impact the hormone levels in the body.

Conclusion

Hormonal changes and fluctuations in pregnancy are very common and a big challenge for any woman. Recognising what triggers mood swings and how the body reacts to certain foods or activities can help reduce the fluctuations to a great extent. Being proactive and getting help and support from loved ones can go a long way in managing hormonal changes during pregnancy.

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FAQ

1. How do you deal with hormonal changes during pregnancy?

Following a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and some relaxing activities or hobbies can help manage hormonal changes during pregnancy.

2. How do you deal with hormonal changes after pregnancy?

Recognising the changes and accepting them as a part of the pregnancy journey is the first step. Follow a diet rich in essential nutrients like iron, zinc, etc., get at least 6 hours of sleep a day, and do regular mild exercises whenever possible. Medication or yoga can help you relax and reduce stress. If the changes are overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for help from loved ones.

3. How can I fix my hormonal imbalance to get pregnant?

Clinical tests to check hormone levels can help identify where the imbalance is. Your doctor can prescribe relevant supplements to help manage the imbalance. Following a diet rich in nutrients that you lack and eating whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables can help improve hormonal balance, which in turn can improve fertility.

4. How can I release happy hormones during pregnancy?

Getting enough sleep, exercising and eating a well-balanced meal can help release happy hormones. Activities like meditation, yoga or a hobby that you like can also reduce stress and release happy hormones.

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