Alternative names: Hormonal Imbalance
A Hormone Imbalance occurs when levels of specific hormones rise or fall more than the others, creating an incorrect hormone ratio – or balance – within the body. This in turn disrupts the various systems that are regulated by these hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers that carry important signals to different cells in the body. Many factors can cause this communication system to fail, including nutritional deficiencies, stress, toxicity, and organ malfunction.
Hormone levels rise and fall, but the ratio between them should remain about the same. When the body's endocrine glands produce too much or too little of a specific hormone, or group of hormones, these ratio(s) can change.
The so-called 'sex hormones' are steroid hormones that are responsible for controlling reproductive function and sexual development in males and females. They are produced mainly by the testes in men and the ovaries in women. Although men's and women's bodies share the same biochemical pathways for sex hormones, the specific hormones differ.
Androgens are the male sex hormones (controlling male characteristics), the main one being testosterone. Androgens are also present in women but in smaller amounts; they are the precursors to estrogens in both men and women. The main female sex hormones are the estrogens – Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol – and progesterone.
Hormonal imbalance can affect both men and women as adults or as adolescents. However, it is most common during puberty, menstruation and pregnancy.
Normal hormone levels are usually maintained by the endocrine system but external factors can cause an imbalance, whereby there is too little or too much of certain hormone(s). There are many different hormones and many possible causes of imbalance, including:
There are some causes which are unique to women. These include:
There are some conditions – such as PCOS or Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) – linked to hormonal imbalances that an individual may be genetically predisposed to. These conditions will increase the risk of suffering from hormonal imbalance. Other risk factors include:
Symptoms and their severity vary depending on which hormone(s) are affected. Common symptoms that can affect both men and women include:
Some of the symptoms specific to women include:
Some of the symptoms specific to men include:
Hormonal imbalances in adolescents can result in delayed puberty. Often children will go on to experience normal development but some children suffer with hypogonadism, which will cause the hormonal imbalance to continue. Some of the symptoms specific to hypogonadism include:
In boys:
In girls:
Hormone testing is the best way to accurately determine your hormone levels. By testing and uncovering specific hormone deficiencies or excesses, it becomes easier to make a diagnosis and begin the correct treatment.
There is a wide variety of tests for hormone imbalances. These will vary between males and females. Some of the tests available to females include:
Some of the tests for males include:
There are several treatments for hormonal imbalances. Losing weight, exercising, and incorporating a healthy, balanced diet may be sufficient, but further measures can be taken if necessary. Identifying a suitable solution will depend on the cause of the imbalance. Some of the more common treatments include:
Fluctuations in hormones are common and the body can usually regulate itself without requiring further action. If the body is unable to regulate itself then treatment can be given. Without proper treatment there is a risk of serious long-term medical conditions.
Some of the complications of hormonal imbalances include:
Hormonal fluctuations such as those occurring with pregnancy or at the start of a menstrual period (these raise progesterone levels) can slow down gut motility and cause food to pass more slowly through the digestive system, sometimes causing bloating and/or constipation.
Hormone imbalance can cause skin changes resulting in oily hair or dry, brittle hair.
Female athletes with abnormal or absent periods might have weakened bones. One study showed that 39% of female athletes with irregular menstruation develop stress fractures.
Hormonal balance is necessary for support of friendly flora in the gut.
Hormones regulate the amount of interstitial fluid surrounding our body's cells. A hormone imbalance can result in too much interstitial fluid, and thus edema.
Birth control pills usually contain the estrogen hormone.
Pregnancy can cause a significant hormonal imbalance.
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