What Are Hormones?

Hormones are chemicals that coordinate specific functions in the body by transporting messages through the blood to different organs, muscles, skin, and other tissues. The signals communicate instructions to your body on what to do and when to do it. Hormones control several bodily functions that are essential for your health and for living. Your hormones and most of the tissues that create and release them make up your endocrine system.

What Is Hormonal Imbalance in Women?

Female hormonal imbalance occurs when hormones rise above or drop below normal levels in the bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system that tell your cells, tissues, and organs what to do. Hormones help regulate many important functions in the body:

• Mood
• Body temperature
• Metabolism
• Heart rate
• Sleep
• Reproductive cycles
• Growth
• Stress

Hormone levels in women normally fluctuate at certain times, such as before or during menstruation, during pregnancy or during menopause. Female hormone imbalance is common in adrenaline, steroid hormones, growth hormones, insulin, estrogen or progesterone (a hormone produced by your ovaries that helps you sleep).

Significant hormonal imbalances may lead to serious endocrine conditions that typically require medical attention. Five common endocrine conditions caused by hormonal imbalances include:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOC)
• Hypogonadism

Symptoms

There are several signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Symptoms often vary between individuals, including differences in intensity, frequency, and duration. Bloating, weight gain, fatigue, mood swings and spikes in body temperature are only some of the many symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women. Delayed or skipped periods can also be caused by hormone imbalances. These imbalances can impact personal comfort, focus, health, work performance, and relationships with loved ones. Hormonal imbalance symptoms in females include:

• Night sweats
• Reduced interest in sexual activity
• Infertility
• Mood swings
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression
• Changes in appetite
• Deepened voice
• Altered heart rate
• Soreness in breasts
• Swollen face
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Bloating (body)
• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• More or less frequent urination or bowel movements
• Dry skin
• Skin rashes
• Bulge in the neck
• Weak bones
• Thin hair
• Hair loss
• Sweating
• Changes in blood sugar
• Changes in sensitivity to heat or cold
• Thirst
• Vision problems
• Enlarged clitoris
• Infertility
• Long-lasting fatigue

Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Weight Gain?

There are several hormone imbalances that may cause weight gain. Your doctor can check for these imbalances. Conditions include:

• Hypothyroidism. This condition occurs when there are low levels of thyroid hormone in the body, causing metabolism to slow down and weight to happen.
• Cushing’s syndrome. This is a rare condition when the body produces too much cortisone and causes rapid weight gain in your face (“moon face”), belly, chest, and back of the neck (“buffalo hump”).
• Menopause. During menopause, hormonal changes cause the metabolism to slow down, which leads to weight gain. Many of these changes are a normal part of aging.

Causes

There is not one main cause of hormonal imbalances. Typically, hormonal imbalances develop because of a variety of factors. Women often experience hormonal imbalance at predictable and naturally occurring points in their lives (menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause). Certain medical conditions, lifestyle habits, environmental conditions, and endocrine gland malfunctions can be other causes of hormonal imbalance in females. Endocrine glands are cells located throughout the body that generate, store, and unleash hormones into the bloodstream. Different endocrine glands regulate different organs. Causes of hormonal imbalance in women include:

• Unhealthy diet
• Excessive stress
• High percentage of body fat
• Pituitary tumors
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• Prader-Willi syndrome (genetic condition marked by chronic hunger)
• Hereditary pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Injury to the endocrine gland
• Extreme infections
• Toxins, pollutants, herbicides, and pesticides
• Severe allergic reactions
• Abuse of anabolic steroid medications
• Having only one functioning X chromosome (known as Turner syndrome and can cause heart and ovary defects)
• Overactive or underactive thyroid
• Phytoestrogens, natural plant estrogens in soy products (estrogen dominance is linked to breast cancer, ovarian cancer, infertility, and autoimmune disorders)
• High levels of glucagon (can lead to diabetes-like symptoms)
• High levels of insulin
• Too much or too little parathyroid hormone (helps balance the levels of calcium in the bloodstream)
• Birth control medications
• Hormonal replacement medications
• Benign tumors or cysts that impact the endocrine glands
• Cancers that impact the endocrine glands
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Solitary thyroid nodules (usually a non-lethal growth, although they can be a possible sign of throat cancer)
• High levels of cortisol hormone
• Too little cortisol and aldosterone (also known as Addison’s Disease, a condition sharing many of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women, including extreme fatigue, irritability, and sexual dysfunction)
• Deficient levels of iodine
• Anorexia
• Medications

Medical conditions that can cause hormone imbalances in women include ovarian cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, hormone replacement or birth control medications, and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Can I Prevent Hormonal Imbalances?

Hormone imbalances are not always preventable. However, implementing and maintaining a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle can help to keep hormones balanced. Lifestyle choices include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Balanced and healthy nutrition
• Managing stress
• Regular exercise
• Consistent quality sleep
• Appropriate management of chronic health conditions
• No smoking or use of tobacco products
• Limited alcohol

Is there a Test for Hormonal Imbalance?

A single, all-inclusive female hormone imbalance test does not exist. To check whether you have a hormone imbalance, you will need to consult with your primary care provider. Your doctor will start with a routine medical exam, inquire about your symptoms, and may recommend the following tests to diagnose hormonal imbalance:

• Blood test: A blood test can measure most hormone levels.
• Pelvic exam: A pelvic exam can reveal any unnatural lumps, cysts, or tumors.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to capture images of your uterus, ovaries, thyroid, and pituitary gland.
• Other tests: Other possible tests might include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), biopsies or thyroid scans.

Treatment

Treatment for hormonal imbalances is determined by the specific cause and highly tailored to each individual woman. To fix or correct a hormonal imbalance, each female may require a different regimen of treatment. Medical treatments and lifestyle changes show the best long-term results. Medical treatment options for women with hormone imbalances include:

• Hormone control or birth control medication. These medications contain estrogen and progesterone that can help manage menstrual cycles (and related symptoms). The available options for birth control medications are pills, rings, patches, shots, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
• Hormone replacement medications. Women can take medications to temporarily ease the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, or night sweats.
• Anti-androgen medications. These medications impede the hormone androgen and can help minimize extreme acne, hair growth, or even hair loss.
• Vaginal estrogen. In this treatment, a female applies creams containing estrogen directly to vaginal tissues to reduce symptoms. Estrogen tablets and rings can also reduce vaginal dryness.
• Clomiphene and letrozole. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or infertility can take medications to accelerate ovulation. Injections of gonadotropins might also help increase the likelihood of pregnancy.
• Assisted reproductive technology. In vitro fertilization (IVF) may help those with PCOS become pregnant.
• Metformin. This medication usually taken for Type 2 Diabetes can help lower or balance blood sugar levels.
• Levothyroxine. This is a chemical found in medications that can reduce the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Lifestyle habits can also prevent or reduce female hormonal imbalance. These habits include:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Performing regular physical exercise.
• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
• Reducing stress.
• Practicing self-regulation (deep breathing, yoga, positive visualization, and meditation) to manage stress.
• Washing and cleaning your face, hands, chest, and neck.
• Avoiding spicy foods and drinks that can trigger hot flashes.
• Reducing the use of household cleaners with toxic chemicals.
• Minimizing sugary foods and packaged foods.
• Cooking with ceramic pans instead of older non-stick pans.
• Purchasing organic fruits and vegetables that have not been sprayed with pesticides.
• Scheduling regular healthcare appointments to assess health.

If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, Baptist Health can help.

Why Choose Baptist Health for your Healthcare Provider?

Baptist Health provides access to a wide range of specialized providers who deliver high-quality care in well-equipped facilities, using modern technology. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our providers.