By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: July 10, 2025 Categories: Hormone imbalance
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Hormone imbalance means having too much or too little of a certain hormone in the body. It can negatively influence your mental, emotional, physical and social life in various ways.
The good thing is that there are various treatments available for hormone imbalances. Some of these are hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone therapy (TRT), and thyroid hormone therapy.
These treatments can help bring your abnormal hormone levels back to normal, helping you restore your overall health.
Read on to learn everything about hormonal imbalances and their treatments.
What is a hormone imbalance in men and women?
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers created by different endocrine system glands and organs in specific amounts.
Your growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism are some of the few bodily processes that are regulated by one or more hormones.
It is normal for hormone levels to fluctuate throughout a person’s life depending on their life stage (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, etc.), age and gender.
However, some people may have hormone levels that are too low or too high compared to others their age, which can impact their health.
This hormone level abnormality can result in many changes in the body. The most common hormonal imbalance symptoms include unexplained weight gain, irregular periods, low sex drive, fatigue, low motivation, etc.
How to treat a hormone imbalance?
Doctors prescribe medications and medical treatments based on what kind of hormonal imbalance you have and what its cause is.
Here are the commonly used hormone imbalance treatments for women and men:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
As the name indicates, HRT is a hormone therapy in which hormones are replaced or supplemented to help balance hormone levels in the body.
This treatment is most commonly used for managing symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
In a 2025 meta-analysis of 24 studies and 5089 patients, researchers stated that “HRT can enhance the quality of life and vaginal health in women experiencing menopausal symptoms, elevate estrogen levels, and improve bone density, while demonstrating a favorable safety profile with no significant increase in adverse events or dyslipidemia risk.”
So, if you are suffering from menopausal symptoms, talk to your doctor about HRT to find out whether you are the right HRT candidate.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
TRT is a form of HRT in which man-made testosterone is administered to boost male hormone testosterone in testosterone-deficient men as well as women.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is also present in women but in a smaller amount. Testosterone hormone production is controlled by the pituitary gland. Its levels fluctuate throughout a person’s life.
Testosterone therapy is available in various forms such as injections, topical creams, skin patches, and oral testosterone. All can help men reduce their low testosterone symptoms by bringing their testosterone levels back to normal.
A 2024 meta-analysis of studies from 1992 to February 2021 shows that TRT can improve life quality, sexual function and serum testosterone levels in men.
Thyroid hormone therapy
Thyroid hormone therapy is prescribed for individuals with an underactive thyroid gland – a medical condition called hypothyroidism or simply thyroid disease.
It involves administering man-made thyroid hormones to make up for the deficiency of natural thyroid hormones in the body.
This therapy helps regulate metabolism, energy levels, and other bodily functions that rely on proper thyroid hormone levels.
Hormonal birth control
Hormonal birth control can be effective in managing hormonal imbalances by regulating and stabilising hormone levels in the body.
It helps:
- Balance oestrogen and progesterone levels
- Regulate periods
- Lower androgen levels
- Reduce hormonal acne or adult acne
Metformin
Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication prescribed off-label to help alleviate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms in women.
It assists with weight loss, ovulation, insulin resistance and the menstrual cycle by improving hormone balance in the body.
Clomiphene and letrozole
These medications are prescribed to women suffering from PCOS and associated infertility.
Their mechanism of action is different, but they both work to stimulate ovulation and support fertility.
Eflornithine (Vaniqa)
Eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a topical medication primarily used to reduce unwanted facial hair, such as those seen in PCOS.
It works by inhibiting an enzyme that is involved in excessive hair growth, leading to slower and finer hair regrowth over time.
How to treat hormonal imbalance during menopause?
Women going through perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause experience a variety of symptoms that disturb their lives in multiple ways.
These symptoms can be improved with the help of:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Lifestyle adjustments (balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep)
- Vaginal oestrogen
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
- Medications
- Herbal supplements or nutritional supplements
Talk to one of our private doctors today to find the best solutions for your menopause related hormonal imbalance.
How to fix a hormonal imbalance during postpartum (after pregnancy)?
Hormonal imbalances after pregnancy are normal. They usually happen due to a sudden decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels and mostly go away on their own in a few weeks.
Taking plenty of rest, eating a balanced healthy diet, doing moderate exercise, and getting an adequate amount of sleep are some of the natural ways you can try to optimise your hormone levels.
If you are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They can better evaluate your health and suggest suitable solutions.
Sometimes, when natural methods to improve hormones do not work, healthcare professionals may prescribe HRT to balance your hormones.
How to balance hormones naturally?
Minor hormone level fluctuations can be treated with natural methods. Here are the most effective natural ways to balance your hormones:
Make exercise your best friend
Regular exercise offers plenty of physical, mental, and hormonal health benefits. Studies also show that exercise may help people improve insulin resistance, manage weight and boost overall health quality.
Eat enough protein
Protein is essential for muscle health. And your body also needs it to manufacture peptide hormones such as insulin, luteinizing hormone, chorionic gonadotrophin (CG) and growth hormone.
Hence, eat high protein foods such as eggs, fish and chicken breast to meet your daily protein intake.
Say goodbye to stress
The stress hormone cortisol can disturb your hormone balance, especially if it remains elevated over a long period.
This hormonal imbalance can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and proper sleep is essential to restore hormonal balance
Get more Zzzzs
Sleep is a magic reset button that helps you recharge your body as well as repair it internally.
Studies show poor sleep quality can disrupt levels of insulin, leptin, cortisol and many other hormones. So, get an average 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to optimize your hormones and feel good again.
FAQs about HRT for women & men
Are there any risks associated with HRT?
As with any medical treatment, there are risks with HRT, including an increased chance of blood clots and stroke.
It’s important to note that complications while on HRT are rare and can be avoided through the right combination of medication.
A good HRT doctor will thoroughly discuss your personal health history with you to make sure your treatment runs smoothly.
Who is a good candidate for HRT?
HRT is generally recommended for individuals experiencing common symptoms due to menopause, perimenopause, or hormone deficiencies.
A healthcare provider will assess your medical history to determine if it’s the right option for you.
How long will I need to take HRT?
The duration of HRT varies depending on individual needs and symptoms. Some may use it for a few years to manage menopause symptoms, while others may need it for longer.
Regular check-ups with your doctor are necessary to monitor its effectiveness and adjust treatment if needed.
Is HRT safe to use for long-term treatment?
Long-term HRT use is safe for some individuals, but it depends on various factors like age, health conditions, and the type of hormones used.
Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential to ensure the treatment remains safe and effective.
How long does it take to fix a hormone imbalance?
The time it takes to correct a hormonal imbalance varies from person to person. It largely depends on the type of imbalance and the chosen treatment plan.
Factors such as the underlying cause, the severity of the imbalance, and how the body responds to treatment can all influence the recovery timeline.
Some may notice an improvement within a few weeks of lifestyle adjustments, while others may require months of treatment.
Choose Balance My Hormones to treat hormonal imbalance
Balance My Hormones has been providing tailored HRT, TRT, and other treatments for men and women dealing with hormonal imbalances for several years now
We also offer additional services, including testosterone blood tests and private doctor consultations.
Contact us today to talk to one of our professionals, book a free consultation, and learn more about beneficial hormone imbalance solutions.
References
Tang, Y., Ma, R., Zhang, L., Sun, X. and Wang, Y., 2025. Effectiveness and safety of hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of menopausal syndrome: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Translational Research, 17(1), p.1.
Harper-Harrison, G., Carlson, K. and Shanahan, M.M., 2024. Hormone replacement therapy. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Cruickshank, M., Hudson, J., Hernández, R., Aceves-Martins, M., Quinton, R., Gillies, K., Aucott, L.S., Kennedy, C., Manson, P., Oliver, N. and Wu, F., 2024. The effects and safety of testosterone replacement therapy for men with hypogonadism: the TestES evidence synthesis and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment (Winchester, England), 28(43), p.1.
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: July 10th, 2025
