Hormones are like messengers in your body coordinating different functions by carrying messages through the bloodstream to your skin, organs, muscles, and other tissues. These messages let your body know what to do and when. Hormones are essential, and hormones that are in balance will give you a better life.
There are at least fifty hormones in the human body that scientists have identified so far. Hormone control different bodily processes and are part of your endocrine system. Processes that hormones are responsible for include:
- Metabolism
- Growth and development
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Homeostasis or constant internal balance
- Sleep-wake cycle
- Moods
What does it mean to have a Hormone Imbalance?
Your hormonal system is imbalanced when you have too much, too little, or more hormones. This imbalance can represent many different hormone-related conditions. Hormones are influential. Even slightly too much or too little of them cause major changes to your body, leading to conditions that may require treatment.
Some hormonal imbalances are temporary, but others are chronic. Some hormonal imbalances require treatment to help you stay healthy; others may not impact your health but negatively affect your quality of life in many other ways.
A Hormonal Imbalance can cause what conditions?
Some of the more common hormone-related conditions include the following:
Irregular menstruation. There are several hormones involved in the menstrual cycle. An imbalance in one of these hormones can cause irregular periods. Specific hormone-related conditions causing irregular periods include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea.
·PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is caused by a hormone problem that often happens during the reproductive years. You may not have periods very often or periods lasting many days or too often. You may also have too much of any one hormone. Typical to PCOS, many small fluid sacs develop along the ovary’s outer edge. These are cysts. The small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs or follicles. Unfortunately, it’s unknown why the follicles fail to release eggs regularly. But early diagnosis and treatment may lower long-term complications.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, defined as missing one or more of your menstrual periods. Amenorrhea is when you are not getting periods even though you have been through puberty, are not pregnant, and have not gone through menopause. Tell your doctors since it might be a symptom of a medical condition that can be treated. Amenorrhea symptoms include pain in the pelvic area, changes in vision, headaches, cystic acne, hair loss, hair growth on your face, and little breast development.
Amenorrhea could be caused by problems with your reproductive organs, failure of the ovaries, or the pituitary gland that makes the hormones you need for menstruation. The most common culprit is a low-functioning thyroid gland.
Infertility. Infertility can be a cause of hormonal imbalances.
Cystic Acne. However, hormone fluctuations during puberty are also significant in developing deep cystic acne and can last till menopause.
Hormonal acne. Hormonal or adult acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces. This acne problem is common during pregnancy and menopause.
Diabetes. Diabetes is the most common endocrine or hormone-related condition. Diabetes happens because your pancreas makes too much insulin due to insulin resistance. This is the number one reason people gain weight; insulin resistance eventually becomes diabetes.
Thyroid disease. Thyroid disease or hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels) are caused by hormonal imbalances. Thyroid disease requires treatment. Since the thyroid is the master gland, it can affect all other hormones.
Obesity. Obesity is affected by hormones, how your body signals (insulin resistance) you need food, and how your body uses energy. In addition, excess cortisol (a hormone) and low thyroid hormones can contribute to obesity.
What are the symptoms and signs of hormonal imbalance?
You could experience different symptoms depending on which of the most common hormones (progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, Dhea & thyroid) are acting up. Common hormonal imbalances include those that affect your metabolism. Your metabolism comprises chemical reactions in your body’s cells that change the food you eat into energy. There are many different hormones involved in metabolism.
Other symptoms of hormonal imbalances affecting your metabolism include the following:
- Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Higher than normal blood cholesterol levels
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inability t tolerate cold or warm temperatures
- Darkened skin in your armpit or back and sides of your neck
- Skin tags
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
Throughout your life and even throughout the day, hormone levels rise and fall. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause cause more dramatic changes and hormone fluctuations. Your hormones may also become imbalanced due to stress, medications, or steroid use.
More permanent or chronic hormone-related conditions include:
- Tumors or other growths
- Damage or injury to the endocrine glands
- Autoimmune conditions
A blood test is typically ordered to check hormone levels. You may also have other tests to measure hormone levels, like glucose or insulin tolerance tests. Although many “lab tests” may say you’re normal, those results may NOT be normal for you, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms. Our healthcare provider will also ask about medical history and symptoms to determine a hormonal imbalance.
How are hormonal imbalances treated?
Depending on what is causing the imbalance will dictate the treatment. For example, you may have hormone replacement therapy, medical treatment, and certain lifestyle changes to manage a hormonal imbalance.
For complete and thorough information about hormone imbalances, contact us at Medical Weight Loss & Hormone Clinic by visiting our website or calling 801-393-3586.
