Have you ever felt that your body is out of rhythm like something isn’t quite right? When your hormones are out of balance, you may experience a range of symptoms, including exhaustion, weight gain for no apparent cause, irritation, and even more severe health issues. While there’s no magic wand to fix hormonal imbalances overnight, there has been evidence of infrared saunas helping balance hormones naturally. Generally used to unwind, detoxify, and improve overall health, these saunas are being used by many people for their convenience and benefits – the team at Sun Stream Saunas AUS explores for more in detail!
Understanding hormonal imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, influencing nearly every function in the body by way of pathway signalling – involving the expression of proteins, metabolites and other compounds that are foundational to particular life processes. Your endocrine system—which includes glands like the thyroid, adrenal glands, and ovaries or testes—regulates the production and release of these hormones. Imbalances occur when this system is disrupted, either by making too much or too little a hormone.
Common causes of hormonal imbalance include:
- Stress
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Environmental toxins
- Age-related changes
Many traditional treatments involve lifestyle changes or medication, but more people are turning to alternative solutions—like infrared (IR) saunas—to complement their health regimes.
The science behind IR saunas and hormonal health
Infrared saunas emit IR light, penetrating the skin and heating the body directly. Unlike traditional saunas that rely on heating the air, IR saunas generate heat at a lower temperature by directly targeting the body, allowing you to achieve an effective sweat without the oppressively stifling heat.
These saunas have a variety of health benefits, including cleansing, increased circulation, and stress relief—all of which can help with hormone balance. Here’s how infrared saunas may help control hormones:
Reducing cortisol levels
Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. While cortisol is required for your body to function, chronically elevated amounts can cause weight gain, difficulty sleeping, mood fluctuations, and other hormone-related concerns.
IR sauna use has been found to reduce cortisol levels, providing a calming effect on the body. When cortisol levels are lowered, other hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can function more efficiently, helping to restore balance.
Supporting thyroid function
Your thyroid gland regulates metabolism and energy levels by releasing thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism, where the thyroid is underactive, is a common condition that leads to fatigue, weight gain, and depression. IR saunas may enhance thyroid function by improving circulation and boosting the body’s ability to regulate temperature – improved circulation, in this case, can stimulate the thyroid, assisting in the release and balance of hormones.
Improving sleep and melatonin production
Good sleep is necessary for hormone control. Deep sleep allows your body to repair tissues, balance hormones, and produce critical growth hormones. Many people with hormone imbalances suffer from insomnia or disturbed sleep due to stress or adrenal fatigue.
IR sauna sessions have been shown to promote deeper, more restful sleep. This may be partially due to the sauna’s ability to regulate cortisol and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax. Better sleep contributes to the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for maintaining your sleep-wake cycle.
Enhancing detoxification and reducing toxin load
Environmental toxins are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with your body’s hormone systems. Toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides can mimic or inhibit hormone action, resulting in imbalances.
IR saunas are extremely good at promoting detoxification, as they help your body eliminate toxins through sweating. Reducing your toxin load may ease the strain on your endocrine system, allowing it to make and regulate hormones more efficiently.
Increasing HGH
The pituitary gland produces the human growth hormone (HGH), essential for growth, metabolism, and muscle development. HGH levels naturally decline with age, which can lead to issues like reduced muscle mass, fatigue, and impaired recovery.
IR sauna use may stimulate the production of HGH, aiding in tissue repair and overall vitality. Though mainly in the context of the body post-exercise, the heat from the sauna creates a mild stress response, prompting the body to release more growth hormones as part of its recovery process.
Final thoughts
While infrared saunas aren’t a standalone cure for hormonal imbalances, they can certainly be a helpful tool in supporting your body’s natural systems. By lowering stress, improving detoxification, and enhancing circulation, IR saunas can help restore hormonal balance, making you feel more like yourself again.
If you want to explore the benefits of infrared therapy for your overall well-being, Sun Stream Saunas AUS offers a range of premium IR saunas designed to help you feel your best. Contact us and start your journey to better hormonal balance and overall health today!