Hormonal Imbalance: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Home > Hormone imbalance > Hormonal Imbalance: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Hormonal imbalance is far more common than people know. Experts believe that nearly everyone will go through one or two instances of hormonal imbalance during their lives.

The symptoms of hormonal imbalance can become debilitating if left untreated so it’s important to seek professional help if you think your hormone levels might not be where they should be.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about hormonal imbalance, its causes, available treatments and what to expect from the condition.

Take Hormone Quiz

What are hormones & what do they do?

Hormones are chemicals that are produced by important glands in your body (such as the adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands), but more specifically within the endocrine system.

They play the role of body’s chemical messenger, telling your organs what to do, how to do it, and when they should perform that function.

Hormones play a large part in not only regulating body processes but also keeping you healthy overall.

Here are the best known processes that hormones control:

• Growth and development
• Reproduction
• Metabolism
• Homeostasis
• Stress response
• Sleep-wake cycle
• Mood and emotional health
• Blood sugar levels regulation
• Immune system function
• Hunger
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Body temperature
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Sex drive

What is hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance is a condition that occurs when the body has too much or too little of one or more hormones in the bloodstream.

For many people, this can come with some unsavoury symptoms. Hormones play a large part in many crucial body functions so, when there is an imbalance, it can cause side effects that may negatively impact your everyday life.

Women mostly have oestrogen and progesterone hormone imbalances while men typically experience testosterone fluctuations.

What are hormone imbalance symptoms & signs?

Hormone imbalance produces various symptoms in the body, depending on which hormone is not working properly.

Common signs of hormonal conditions that affect people of all genders are:

• Mood changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Hair thinning/loss
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Memory issues
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Acne
• Sweating
• Low sex drive

Keep in mind these symptoms can develop due to many other medical conditions. Having them does not necessarily mean you have a hormonal imbalance. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor who will help you determine the root cause.

Hormonal imbalance symptoms in females

Women may experience the following symptoms due to hormonal imbalance:

• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irregular periods
• Infertility
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal atrophy
• Hair loss
• Facial or body hair growth
• Low sex drive
• Mood swings
• Hyperpigmentation

Hormonal imbalance symptoms in men

In men, the following symptoms appear due to abnormal fluctuations in their hormone levels:

• Gynecomastia (man boobs)
• Breast tenderness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low sex drive
• Infertility
• Low energy levels
• Muscle loss
• Brittle bones
• Hair loss
• Difficulty concentrating

What causes hormone imbalance?

Hormone imbalances can stem from a variety of factors, including lifestyle choices, medical conditions, and environmental influences.

Understanding the root causes is essential to addressing the issue and restoring hormonal harmony. Here are the key factors contributing to hormonal imbalance:

Natural life stages

Puberty

During this growth phase, levels of certain hormones, particularly male hormone testosterone and female hormone oestrogen, rise significantly that brings physical changes in both men and women such as pubic hair development.

Pregnancy

As the body prepares to nurture a growing baby, levels of progesterone and oestrogen surge to support pregnancy.

Menstruation

The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormonal changes, particularly the fluctuations of oestrogen and progesterone.

Menopause

As women age, their progesterone and estrogen levels drop significantly, marking the end of their reproductive years. As a result, they experience various unwanted symptoms, including mood swings and night sweats.

In men, testosterone levels decline with age, leading to male menopause or andropause. It also brings about symptoms such as low sex drive and fatigue.

Aging

As you age, hormone levels naturally decline, affecting various functions in the body.

For men, testosterone levels gradually decrease starting around the age of 30, leading to symptoms such as reduced energy, muscle mass, and libido.

In women, estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly during menopause.

Growth hormone production and melatonin levels also decline with age, which can impact sleep quality, metabolism, and overall vitality.

While this decline is a natural part of ageing, understanding and addressing its effects can help maintain quality of life.

Lifestyle factors

Poor diet & low exercise

Your general level of health has a lot to do with your ability to produce and regulate your hormones. When your body is not in good health, it is not going to do a good job at producing and regulating the hormones in your body.

So, if you are experiencing low hormone production or a hormonal imbalance, then you may want to look into a healthy diet and exercise regime.

Lack of sleep

The amount of sleep you get and your sleep quality have a big impact on your general health.

During deep sleep (REM phase), human body produces hormones like growth hormone, which supports cell repair, your metabolism, and balances cortisol levels which are critical for stress management.

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to elevated cortisol levels, impairing the production of other hormones such as testosterone and insulin.

Additionally, disrupted sleep patterns can affect appetite-regulating hormones like ghrelin and leptin. It can lead to increased hunger and potential weight gain, further exacerbating hormonal imbalances.

Prioritising quality sleep is vital for maintaining overall hormonal health.

Stress

Stress is one of the leading contributors to hormonal imbalance. When you experience stress, your body releases cortisol, the “stress hormone,” to help you deal with the stressor at hand.

While this response is natural, chronic or prolonged stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol. This disrupts the balance of other essential hormones, such as thyroid hormones, insulin, and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

This imbalance can result in symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and even irregular menstrual cycles.

Medical conditions

Several chronic hormone related conditions contribute to hormonal imbalances, including:

Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a condition where the body produces insufficient amounts of sex hormones, such as testosterone in men or estrogen levels in women.

This imbalance can occur when the testes or ovaries are not functioning properly. It can result from issues with the pituitary gland or other endocrine glands that regulate hormone production.

Diabetes

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can affect insulin levels, which play a key role in regulating other hormones.

Hypothyroidism/Hyperthyroidism

Disorders of the thyroid gland, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid, can disrupt the balance of your thyroid hormones, impacting metabolism and energy levels.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

A common condition in women, PCOS causes hormonal imbalances that can affect menstruation, fertility, and overall health.

Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)

When the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and other hormones, it can lead to various symptoms, including fatigue and low blood pressure.

Cushing’s Syndrome

This condition occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for extended periods, leading to symptoms like weight gain, high blood pressure, and mood changes.

Autoimmune Diseases

Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can interfere with the production and regulation of hormones.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Impaired kidney function can affect the balance of various hormones, including those involved in blood pressure regulation and calcium metabolism.

What hormone imbalance causes acne?

Increase in androgen levels can lead to hormonal acne. Androgens stimulate skin’s oil glands to produce more sebum (oil). Excessive oil can clog your skin pores, leading to acne breakouts.

High androgen levels during natural life stages such as puberty and pregnancy are a key reason why many people experience adult acne during these periods.

What hormone imbalance causes hair loss?

One of the many causes of hair loss is hormone imbalance. Fluctuations in several hormone levels can contribute to hair thinning and hair shedding.

Increase in the following hormones mostly causes hair loss:

• Testosterone
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
• Thyroid hormones
• Stress hormone cortisol
• Insulin
• Oestrogen and progesterone

Can hormone imbalance cause weight gain?

Yes, it can. Hormones play an important role in regulating metabolism, appetite, fat storage, and the way your body uses energy.

When hormone levels become imbalanced, it can disrupt these processes, leading to weight gain or difficulty in losing weight. Imbalances in testosterone, insulin, and thyroid hormones may cause weight gain.

How to diagnose hormone imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance is diagnosed via a combination of blood tests, physical examination and evaluation of medical history.

Physical examination is conducted to look for signs of the imbalance, such as changes in skin texture, hair growth patterns, or weight fluctuations.

Blood tests are done to measure hormone levels. Hormones are released into the blood. So, blood tests help determine their accurate levels in your body.

Your doctor will ask different questions to get information about your health. They may ask questions about your diet, surgeries, medications, supplements, allergies, illnesses, and vaccines.

Order Blood Test

When is the best time to test for hormone imbalance?

It depends on the specific hormone being assessed. For instance, if you have a testosterone test, the best time for this test is the morning as testosterone levels are the highest between 07.00 am and 10.00 am.

How to treat hormone imbalance in men and women?

Doctors may use the following medical procedures to balance your hormone levels.

Treatments for females

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy for women involves the use of medications that increase the level of hormones that the body may no longer be able to produce in sufficient quantities.

There are two types of HRT for women – oestrogen-only therapy and combination therapy.

In oestrogen-only therapy, you take only oestrogen to alleviate low estrogen symptoms. Oestrogen can be administered in the form of a pill, patch, gel, or cream.

In combination therapy, both oestrogen and progesterone are used in the right proportion.

Combination therapy is typically used for women who have a uterus, while the former is prescribed for women who have undergone a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).

Vaginal oestrogen

Many women experiencing oestrogen imbalance can develop vaginal dryness that causes pain during intercourse. Doctors may prescribe vaginal estrogen cream to help eradicate this problem.

Birth control pills

If you are not trying to get pregnant, taking hormonal birth control pills can help regulate your menstrual cycle. These pills may also be effective in removing acne and facial hair.

Anti-androgen medications

Androgens are male sex hormones but they are present in both men and women.

They are primarily associated with male sexual development. Women have lower levels of androgens compared to men.

However, a hormonal abnormality can lead to high androgen levels in women. For this, doctors often prescribe anti-androgen medications that reduce effects of androgens.

Treatments for males

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

Testosterone therapy is an FDA-approved procedure used to increase testosterone levels in men who are testosterone deficient.

Low testosterone (low T) causes various symptoms, such as fatigue, low libido, depression, and loss of muscle mass. TRT for men is very effective in restoring testosterone levels to a normal range and alleviating low T symptoms.

What kind of doctor treats hormone imbalance?

General practitioners and endocrinologists treat hormone issues.

Endocrinologists focus on the endocrine system, which controls hormone production and regulation in the body.

General practitioners can diagnose, treat and manage most of the hormone problems. They may suggest you visit an endocrinologist if the issue is complex.

At Balance My Hormones, our team of experienced healthcare providers is always available to help men and women manage their testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone levels via HRT.

Book a free consultation with us to understand your hormonal problem and find out effective solutions.

How can I prevent hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalances caused by lifestyle factors can be prevented by improving your lifestyle and living an overall healthy life.

Here is what may help you prevent hormonal imbalance:

• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Eating a balanced diet
• Getting quality sleep daily
• Managing everyday stress
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol

A note from Balance My Hormones

Hormones are important for many bodily functions, so even a slight imbalance can trigger symptoms that leave you feeling out of sync.

If you’ve noticed changes in how you feel, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

They can arrange the necessary tests to determine whether a hormonal imbalance or another underlying issue is the cause.

Seeking help early is key because starting treatment sooner can help you regain balance and feel like yourself again.

Book Free Consultation

References

Mazza, E., Troiano, E., Ferro, Y., Lisso, F., Tosi, M., Turco, E., Pujia, R. and Montalcini, T., 2024. Obesity, dietary patterns, and hormonal balance modulation: gender-specific impacts. Nutrients, 16(11), p.1629.

Segarra, I., Menárguez, M. and Roqué, M.V., 2023. Women’s health, hormonal balance, and personal autonomy. Frontiers in medicine, 10, p.1167504.

Kumari, Y., Bai, P., Waqar, F., Asif, A.T., Irshad, B., Raj, S., Varagantiwar, V., Kumar, M., Neha, F.N.U., Chand, S. and Kumar, S., 2023. Advancements in the management of endocrine system disorders and arrhythmias: a comprehensive narrative review. Cureus, 15(10).

Nabi Buksh, M.F., Hormonal Harmony: Exploring Endocrinology and Hormone Balance.

Evidence Based Research

This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.

References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.

Our team of healthcare experts and GMC registered doctors are licensed to UK GMC standards. We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. You can read more about our Editorial Process by clicking here.

We value your feedback on our articles, if you have a well-researched paper you would like to share with us please contact us.