If you’re feeling “off” and develop unusual symptoms, hormonal imbalance may be a factor. Hormone irregularities can affect a significant number of individuals, including 80% of women and more than 25% of men over 30.
Identifying the root cause of hormone issues and considering a functional medicine approach may help manage symptoms and support overall well-being. Simple medical interventions combined with lifestyle changes can help manage hormone imbalances and support quality of life.
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What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemicals in the human body that coordinate body functions and carry messages to the skin, muscles, organs, and numerous other tissues. These signals direct the body on what to do and when to accomplish specific tasks. When present in the right amounts, hormones contribute to optimal body functioning. More than 50 hormones exist within the human body.
Hormones are part of the body’s endocrine system and influence numerous body processes, including metabolism, reproduction, mood, growth, development, sleep-wake cycles, and sexual functioning.
What Does Hormone Imbalance Mean?
Hormone imbalance in the body occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone. This may stem from various genetic or environmental factors. Even a small imbalance can be challenging for body functions, health, and overall well-being.
Major body changes can become apparent when hormones are unbalanced, many of which may require management to support health. Some hormone imbalances are temporary, while others may last long-term or indefinitely if not addressed.
What Conditions Can Hormonal Imbalance Influence?
Hormonal imbalances can contribute to the following conditions:
- Obesity
- Infertility
- Menstruation changes
- Diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Thyroid diseases
- Skin conditions
- Growth and development irregularities in children and teenagers
- Mental health challenges
- Menopause
Hormone imbalances may be managed naturally or with medical interventions to help minimize symptoms and support health, well-being, and quality of life with a low risk of complications.
Causes and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
It’s helpful to know the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and its potential causes to determine the best way to manage it.
Hormone Imbalance Symptoms Affecting People AMAB
People assigned male at birth (AMAB) might notice the following symptoms associated with a hormonal imbalance:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Hair loss
- Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Low libido
- Decreased muscle mass
- Reduced strength and endurance
- Infertility or low sperm count
- Reduced testicle size
- Hot flashes
- Depression
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Increased body fat
Many of these symptoms may be associated with low levels of testosterone.
Hormone Imbalance Symptoms Affecting People AFAB
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) include:
- Irregular or heavy menstrual periods
- Water retention
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Excess body hair
- Infertility
- Hot flashes
- Problems sleeping
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal atrophy
- Dry skin
- Breast tenderness
- Trouble concentrating
- Moodiness or irritability
- Night sweats
- Hormone migraines
- Increased belly fat
Low estrogen is a common factor in these and other symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances in people AFAB. Such symptoms may come and go or worsen over time if not addressed.
Hormone Imbalance Symptoms Affecting Children and Teenagers
The following symptoms may indicate hormone imbalances among children and teens:
- Slowed growth rate
- Delayed signs of puberty
- Being small for a child’s age
- Less-than-normal endurance and strength
- Poor concentration
- Carrying excess weight or being too thin
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Vision changes
- Slow-healing sores
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Hot or cold sensitivity
- Extreme mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Irregular or unusual periods
- Body or facial hair growth in girls
Any new, concerning, or unusual symptoms in children should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Hormone Imbalance Symptoms Affecting the Metabolism
Hormonal imbalances that affect metabolism could contribute to the following symptoms:
- Fatigue or excess energy
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Constipation
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Slowed or rapid heartbeat
- Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
- High cholesterol
- Depression and anxiety
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Intolerance to cold or warm temperatures
- Dry skin
- Skin tags
- Frequent urination
- Extreme thirst
Metabolism affects the way the human body utilizes food and nutrients, converting them into energy. The body might burn more or less energy than usual due to hormonal imbalances and metabolism changes.
What Are the Causes of Hormonal Imbalances?
Numerous factors can contribute to hormonal imbalances, including:
Tumors
Tumors that develop on hormone-producing glands or organs can affect hormone production, causing an imbalance. Tumors are either cancerous or benign (noncancerous). Depending on their location, they may cause an increase or decrease in hormone production.
Adenomas
Adenomas are benign tumors that sometimes produce excess hormones. Those that affect your endocrine system may contribute to hormonal imbalances.
Nodules (Growths)
Thyroid nodules present on the thyroid gland (the gland that produces thyroid hormone) can lead to hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone production) or hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormone production).
Endocrine Gland Damage or Injury
Damage or injuries to endocrine glands can also cause hormone fluctuations. They often cause a decrease in hormone production.
These injuries may occur because of thyroid or neck surgery, severe blood loss, reduced blood flow, bacterial or viral illnesses, head trauma, or radiation therapy during cancer treatment — particularly in people treated for neck or head cancers.
Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s immune system attacks its cells. If it attacks an organ or gland that produces hormones, an imbalance may develop.
Examples of autoimmune diseases that could affect hormone balance include Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, type 1 diabetes, Addison’s disease, and polyglandular syndromes (conditions affecting more than one endocrine gland).
Other Causes
Additional causes of hormonal imbalances include:
The normal aging process may also contribute to low hormone levels, particularly low testosterone in men and low estrogen in women.
Women are more likely than men to experience thyroid disease, as these diseases affect about 1 in 8 women during their lifetime.
Diagnosing Hormonal Imbalances
Diagnosing hormone imbalances generally involves blood testing, as endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. Other hormone tests evaluate saliva or urine samples.
Providers discuss patients’ symptoms, review their medical history, complete a physical exam, and may order an ultrasound or other imaging procedure to view specific glands or organs.
Specific lab tests to consider include:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: assesses kidney and liver health, blood sugar, acid-base balance in the blood, and electrolyte balance
- Hemoglobin A1c: measures the average amount of sugar in the bloodstream over the past several months
- Fasting Insulin: evaluates insulin levels after a fast to detect insulin resistance
- Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR): measures approximate insulin resistance
- Estradiol (E2): assesses estrogen levels
- Comprehensive Thyroid Panel: measures thyroid health, function, and hormone balance (TSH, T3, T4, and anti-thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies)
- DHEA-sulfate: evaluates DHEA-S (the “youth hormone”)
- Testosterone: (free and total w/ SHBG): measures testosterone levels
- Progesterone: evaluates progesterone levels
- DUTCH Complete: urine test that assesses estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, cortisone, and other hormones
- Saliva Profile 1: saliva test that measures adrenal hormones and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA-S)
- Lipid Panel: analyzes triglycerides, cholesterol, and lipoprotein levels
- Micronutrient Test: evaluates levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the bloodstream to screen for deficiencies that may affect hormonal balance
The specific tests that are most appropriate depend on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. These tests can help detect hormonal imbalances or determine the underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms.
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Managing and Treating Hormonal Imbalances
Managing hormonal imbalances often involves combinations of medical interventions paired with healthy lifestyle changes. Examples include:
Treatment Options for Hormonal Imbalance
Endocrinologists are medical doctors who specialize in and help manage hormonal imbalances, though general medicine providers can also assist patients in managing certain hormone disorders.
Examples of common treatments that help balance low or high hormone levels include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral medications (pills), and injections.
Treatment options for too-high hormonal levels include medications, radiation therapy, surgery, or combinations of treatments. Providers might prescribe medicines to shrink tumors or suggest surgery to remove problematic growths.
Everyday Tips to Support Hormonal Balance
In addition to medical intervention for hormonal imbalances, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help support hormone levels naturally. Examples of holistic options include reducing stress, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, and exercising regularly. It’s also vital to get enough high-quality sleep and avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
Dietary supplements may help address iodine deficiency or other vitamin or mineral deficiencies linked to hormonal imbalance.
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When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Provider?
Contact a healthcare provider at the first sign of any new or unusual symptoms associated with hormonal irregularities. The earlier hormone disorders are identified and managed, the faster patients may feel better with a lower risk of long-term complications.
Many patients diagnosed with hormone imbalances should see their provider every 3-6 months for follow-up appointments or lab work, though individualized needs vary from patient to patient.
Supporting hormonal balance can contribute to overall health and quality of life. Many diagnostic tests and management strategies for hormonal imbalances are simple, yet can be effective. Supporting hormone health is sometimes as easy as adopting healthy lifestyle habits.
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