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Hormones are chemical substances found throughout the body, produced by several different glands. Their main role is to coordinate different bodily functions by sending signals to different organs, muscles, and tissues. Hormones, also known as chemical messengers of the human body, are essential as they tell different body parts what to do and when.
The average human body produces more than 50 different hormones, all of which contribute to specific bodily functions. Some of them are: -
- Metabolism
- Homeostasis
- Growth and development
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Sleep-wake cycle
What is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormone imbalance is an umbrella term that includes several different conditions related to hormones. When an individual’s body has unusually high or low levels of certain hormone(s), it is called a hormonal imbalance.
There are several different medical conditions that can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. While a few conditions are temporary and get better on their own, some can be chronic (long-term) and need constant medical supervision.
Here are a few common hormone-related conditions:
- Infertility
- Acne
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
- Irregular menstruation cycle (in females)
Causes
Every individual experiences multiple phases of hormonal imbalance or fluctuations at certain points in his/her life, such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc. Generally, these hormonal imbalances are temporary and get better on their own. However, some hormone-related conditions also occur because of the poor functioning of the endocrine glands.
These glands are specialised cells known to produce, store, and release hormones in an individual’s bloodstream. There are several endocrine glands located at different places throughout the body, and they control different organs. These include:
- Adrenal glands
- Gonads (testis and ovaries)
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Hypothalamus gland
- Thyroid and parathyroid glands
- Pancreatic islets
There are several factors that can affect an individual’s endocrine glands, such as:
- Chronic stress
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Excessive body weight
- Certain medicines
- Prolonged exposure to toxins, pollutants, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
- Environmental factors, etc.
Other than this, any kind of damage or injury to an endocrine gland is also among the known causes of hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a hormonal imbalance can vary from one person to another, depending on the gland that is affected. In addition to this, the symptoms of hormone fluctuation/imbalance can also be different according to the age and gender of the person.
In Females
Here are a few common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women:
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Abdominal pain
- Low sex drive
- Insomnia
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Brittle bones
- Excessive hair growth
- Skin rashes
In Males
Here are a few common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men:
- Loss of muscle mass
- Hair thinning
- Reduced overall hair growth
- A sudden decrease in sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Tenderness in the chest area
Diagnosis
The method used for hormonal imbalance diagnosis largely depends on the suspected condition causing the imbalance. Some of the most commonly used tests for diagnosing a hormonal imbalance are:
- Blood Test: There are several hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, etc., that can be measured with the help of a blood test.
- Imaging: Sometimes, a cyst or tumour can cause the body to produce excessively high or low amounts of certain hormones. In such cases, imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs are used to identify the cause.
- Urine Test: A doctor may suggest a urine test to measure the levels of hormones related to a female’s menstrual cycle.
Treatment
The cure for a hormonal imbalance condition can vary depending on its cause. Apart from this, the doctor takes several other factors into consideration to determine the appropriate course of treatment, such as age, gender, medical history, etc.
For females, hormonal imbalance treatment may include:
- Hormonal birth control
- Vaginal estrogen
- Anti-androgen medication
Other than this, a relevant hormone imbalance therapy is also recommended to treat certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
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