7 causes of Hormone Imbalance: signs & symptoms

Table of Contents

Introduction to Hormone Imbalance

Hormone imbalance is the condition of body in which hormones required for the normal working are not producing in required amount. Hormones are the chemical messengers that play a vital role in controlling different physiological functions in the body. When these chemicals are produced in the required amount the body works normally. When the amount of these chemicals increases or decreases to the required limit, there would be multiple errors in physiological processes that ultimately lead to serious health issues due to hormonal imbalance.

What are Hormones?

Hormones are the communication chemicals that are produced through endocrine system glands and then released into the blood stream. The blood helps to transmit these hormones to targeted areas like organs and tissues where they showed their ultimate effect.

Name of Major Hormones

Various hormones perform different functions in the body. The major hormones are

Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
Cortisol
Insulin
Thyroid Hormones
Growth Hormone

Functions of Hormones

There are different functions that control by different hormones:

Regulate Metabolism
Reproduction
Mood
Growth
Ensure Health and Well-Being

If hormone balance is broken the normal functioning of above factors disturbed.

Signs and Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

There are various signs and symptoms that depict the hormonal imbalance condition in body.

Emotional instability: Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for variation in moods or mood swing. If the concentration of both these hormones fluctuates to certain level it will initiate the emotional instability.

Weight gain: Hormonal fluctuations can disturb the metabolism pattern of body. If it varies it can enhance the appetite, slow metabolism leading to weight gain. In this situation weight loss is also difficult.
Low energy levels in body: If the situation is persistent the weight gain also accompanies with low energy and increased fatigue that ultimately reduce the daily activity levels.
Irregularities in Menstrual Cycle: The hormonal imbalance can change the menstrual cycles by heavy bleeding, irregularity of period and decreased or absence of menstruation cycle.
Fluctuation in libido: Libido is the sex derive and it varies from person to person. The fluctuations in testosterone levels can change its intensity and initiate sexual issue both in women and men.
Skin issue: different dermatological issue also caused by hormonal imbalance like oily skin issues and acne breakouts.

Sleep Disorders: Insomnia and reduced sleep qualities can also be the result of severe hormonal imbalance. It can disturb the circadian rhythms of human bodies.

Causes of Hormone Imbalance

Poor nutrition: The maximum reasons related to diet. Most of the people are not focusing on their diet intake, resulting in hormonal issues. These days people consume unhealthy fats, more quantity of sugars and processed food. All these disrupt the normal physiological functions and metabolism.
Stress and Depression: The stress can increase the levels of cortisol that resulted in weight gain, high blood pressure and skin issue. These all problems arise due to hormonal imbalance.
Sedentary Lifestyle: With the improving life facilities people adopt the sedentary lifestyle that led to slow metabolism and hormone imbalance.
Pollution Toxins: Different toxins through breathing, food and water can lead to disturb hormonal production.
Medical Illness: Different diseases like diabetes, thyroid, adrenal issues and most importantly the PCOS in female are the major causes of hormonal imbalance.
Hormone therapy: Different chemical therapies are used to cure the different medical issues that also change the hormone production.
Stage of life: In each stage of life there are different requirements of hormones concentrations in body. Some stages can change these as during pregnancy, puberty, aging and menopause.

Diagnosis Options

The diagnosis can be done by two methods:

Blood Tests
Hormonal Tests

Treatment Options

The following steps can be used to treat the hormonal imbalance are:

Lifestyle Changes
Medications
Hormone Therapy
Alternative Therapies (acupuncture/ herbal medicines)

Prevention Strategies

It is suggested to take some preventive measures including:

Stress Management
Balanced Diet
Regular Exercise
Minimizing Toxin Exposure
Regular Health Check-Ups

Conclusion

It is very important for normal body functions to have balanced hormonal systems. The deep insights of symptoms and causes can lead to have the best possible treatment of hormonal imbalance. By changing lifestyle and eating habits it can be possible for every individual to have a healthy life with balanced hormones.