What is a hormonal imbalance?
Hormones are known as your body’s chemical messengers. They are produced by glands in the endocrine system and travel around your bloodstream, delivering instructions to your organs and tissues on what to do and help control your body’s major processes such as metabolism and reproduction.
When a hormonal imbalance occurs, it means there is either too much or too less of certain hormones. A tiny change like this can cause serious effects throughout our whole body. Although this can happen naturally as we age, sometimes it occurs to other external factors and result in a wide range of symptoms.
What are the causes of a hormonal imbalance?
A hormonal imbalance can be caused by a range of lifestyle factors and conditions, for example:
- Unhealthy diet
- Stress
- High body fat percentage or high body mass index (BMI)
- Pituitary tumours
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Overuse of anabolic steroid medications
- Overactive and underactive thyroid
- Some contraception
- Some HRT (hormonal replacement therapy)
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Benign cysts or tumours in the uterus or ovaries, such as fibroids
- Prader-Willi syndrome (genetic condition that causes chronic hunger)
- High levels of cortisol hormone (which may be caused by PCOS)
Symptoms
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance can vary depending on gender, age and also the gland.
Common symptoms (across all genders)
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Depression
- Irritability, nervousness or anxiety
- Dry skin
- Infertility
- Decreased sex drive
- Unexplainable or sudden weight loss
It’s important to note that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it could possibly reflect other chronic conditions so it is vital that if you are notably suffering with any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor or a healthcare professional.
Symptoms for people assigned female at birth
- Heavy, irregular, missed, stopped or frequent periods
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Acne on face upper back and chest
- Hyperpigmentation along the neck creases, groin and underneath breasts
- Headaches
- Rashes on the skim
- Excessive hair growth
Symptoms for people assigned male at birth
Testosterone levels are vital during the development of males and if you are not producing enough, you can experience the following:
- Tender breasts
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decreased sex drive
- Thinning hair
- Decrease in beard and body hair growth
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty concentrating
Causes of hormonal imbalances
Everyone at some point in their life will experience hormonal imbalances and they will either happen naturally or due to other external factors.
- Steroid medications
- Stress or trauma
- Puberty
- Hormone therapy
- Eating disorders
- Cancer treatments e.g chemo therapy & radiation
- Benign & cancerous tumours
Some causes that are specific to those who were assigned female at birth are:
- Menopause
- Premature emonpause
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Treatment options
Treatment for hormonal imbalances will be dependant on what is causing it and the symptoms you are enduring. This can range from:
Estrogen therapy
If you are experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes or any other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend a low dose of oestrogen. This is a form of hormone therapy which does increase the risks of certain conditions including heart disease, blood clots, strokes and breast cancer. Although it does have these risks, you may find that it’s benefits outweigh them as it can ease vaginal dryness & itchiness, ease discomfort during sexual intercourse and protect against osteoporosis.
Testosterone therapy
Testosterone therapy can help aid in any symptoms that come with having low levels of testosterone. This can range from low sex drive, low sperm count, insomnia, increase in body fat, depression and trouble concentrating. Testosterone therapy is available in different forms which range from pills, gel, patch, injection or an implant. Like estrogen, testosterone therapy does come with some risks, these are; infertility, enlarged prostate, blood clots, worsening heart failure and sleep related problems. It’s important that you talk over starting testosterone therapy with your doctor/healthcare professional to see if it is a good fit for you.
Metformin
Metformin is usually a medication prescribed to those who have type 2 diabetes but can also be taken to help those who suffer from PCOS. It works by reducing the amount of insulin, which also reduces testosterone production and provides hormonal balance. For those who deal with PCOS, Metformin is prescribed as it can regulate irregular menstrual periods and eventually restore ovulation.
Contraception
This treatment is specific to those who were assigned female at birth and can be taken in various different forms such as birth control pills, a patch, contraception injection, vaginal ring or an IUD. Symptoms such as irregular periods can be regulated when taking birth control as it contains progestin and oestrogen, two hormones that help balance out the hormones already in your body and regulate your cycle. It can additionally improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body which are two other symptoms you may endure during hormonal imbalances.
Here at Be Well, we can help find the best contraception for you with our quick and easy online consultation form. Our expert clinicians provide you with advice and various treatment options without the long queues at the pharmacy and long waits for doctor’s appointments.
Find out more here.