Hormonal Imbalance: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Hormonal Imbalance: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Dr. Anjana Singh Jun 28, 2024

Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Because of their essential role in the body, even small hormonal imbalances can cause side effects throughout the body.

Hormonal imbalance is a state when there is a shift in the levels of female hormones like, estrogen, progestenones, thyroxine, prolactin and cortisol levels.

A normal shift in their level may occur during a normal menstrual cycle or close to menopause. PCOS and thyroid disorder the commonest forms of the hormonal unbalance.

Symptoms:

Generalized symptoms include fatigue, irritability, mood swings, fluctuating blood sugar levels, problems in concentrating, sleeplessness and weight gain.

PCOD:

This is the commonest forms of hormonal imbalance which results in:

Abnormal Weight Gain Increase facial hair: This also increase hair in male dependent areas like upper lips, chin and chest Irregular periods: sometimes also resulting in cycle of 60 -90 days with very low flow An ovulation leading to infertility. There is impairment of ovulation due to which a lady may find difficulty in conceiving Acne: Increased levels of androgens in PCO females lead to acne and abnormal weight gain.Fatigue is a common symptoms that may occur due to hormonal imbalance. If progesterone levels are low, they can cause lack of sleep and if very high, can cause increased tiredness. Thyroid imbalance: Hypothyroidism in which the TSH is high and T3 &T4 is low can cause fatigue weight gain, backache, hair loss, husky voice, constipation lack of concentration and increased sleepiness Hyperthyroidism in which TSH is low and T3&T4 are high can cause loss of appetite weight loss, palfritations, purging of eyes and heats failure.

Estrogen imbalance:

Decrease in estrogen levels during monthly cycle triggers mood changes. Females may reach for comfort food that are high in fat calories, sugar and salt to feel better. Sadly, all these food backfire and makes female feel even worse. Sodium increases fluid retention and bloating, sugar increases fat and calories leading to back on pounds. Headache may also precipitated by decrease estrogen levels. Vaginal dryness occurring in the peri menopausal age group also happen due to low estropeis

Low Testosterones:

Testosterone through typically a male hormones also has a vital role in females. Low testosterones may cause decrease in libido and sex drive.

Breast changes

High estrogen may cause heavy and lumpy breast and increase in cysts.

Unstable Sugar:

Insulin and glucagon imbalance may lead to abnormal sugar level like diabetes.

Infertility

This is the commonest by product of hormonal imbalance, especially PCOD.

Skin ageing and bone loss:

Decreased estrogen levels leads in peri menopause, which leads to skin ageing, makes skin thinner and drier & less elastic.

Mental health issue:

Estsogen has a positive impact on the brain by regulating the neuro transmitters, cognitionand ability to withstand stress. Decreased estrogen leads to psychosis risk.

Osteoporosis or thin bones

Loss of estrogens leads to thin and weak bones increasing the risk of fracture in peri menopausal age group.

Breast, ovarian and uterine cancer :

Estrogen dominance can lead to cancers in the ovaries, breast and uterus.

It is very important to regulate ones hormonal levels. Thus, hormonal replacement therapy of the desired hormonal imbalance can really help. Apart from that, leading a healthy lifestyle also helps in overcoming effects of hormonal imbalance.