Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. Made in the endocrine glands, these powerful chemicals move around your bloodstream and tell tissues and organs what to do. They help control many of your body’s major processes, including metabolism and reproduction.
When you have a hormonal imbalance, you have too much or too little of a certain hormone. Even small changes can have serious effects on your entire body. Think of hormones like a cake recipe. Too much or too little of any one ingredient affects the final product.
What are the symptoms of hormonal disorder?
Your hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, there is a wide range of signs or symptoms that may indicate a hormonal imbalance. Your signs or symptoms will depend on which hormones or glands are not working properly. Common hormonal conditions affecting both men and women can cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
- gaining weight
- sudden weight loss
- Tiredness
- muscle weakness
- muscle pain and stiffness
- pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints
- increase or decrease in heart rate
- sweating profusely
- sensitivity to cold or heat
- constipation or frequent bowel movements
- frequent urination
- excessive thirst
- increased appetite
- decreased sex drive
- depression
- nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
- blurred vision
- infertility
- dry skin
- Swollen face
- round face
Keep in mind that these symptoms are not specific, and having them does not necessarily mean that you have a hormonal disorder.
Hormonal therapy: Women experience many troubling symptoms during the menopausal transition. This is due to a drop in hormone levels as the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. Hormone therapy aims to replenish these hormones. Testosterone supplements, for example, help stimulate puberty in men with delayed puberty.
Estrogen therapy: Your doctor may suggest low doses of estrogen to correct estrogen imbalance as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It can ease uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.
Hormone birth control therapy: A combination of estrogen and progesterone can help regulate the menstrual cycle.
Medication to block androgens: Anti-androgen treatment may be helpful in women who have high levels of male sex hormones.
Testosterone supplements: A hormone specialist may suggest testosterone supplements to increase testosterone levels in men or teens.
Non-hormonal therapy: A hormone specialist may consider recommending non-hormonal treatment in certain situations.
Lifestyle changes: Hormone specialist doctor will guide you in incorporating lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. These may include losing weight, breathing exercises and ways to avoid hot flashes.
Diet modification: Dietary changes may be a suitable hormonal balancing treatment. Your doctor will suggest adding certain ingredients to your diet to restore hormonal balance. These may include plant estrogens such as flaxseed, lentils and chickpeas.
due to hormonal imbalance
There are many possible causes of hormonal imbalance. The reasons for this vary depending on which hormones or glands are affected. Common causes of hormonal imbalance include:
hormone therapy
drugs
cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
Tumors, whether cancerous or benign
pituitary tumor
eating disorders
stress
injury or trauma
How Hormonal Disorders Are Diagnosed
There is no single test available for doctors to diagnose hormonal imbalances. Start by making an appointment with your doctor for a physical exam.
blood test
pelvic exam
ultrasound
additional test
Sometimes more advanced tests are needed. These may include:
biopsy
MRI
X-ray
thyroid scan
sperm count test
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