Terri Ramsey Beavers Most women will experience hormonal imbalances at some point in their lifetime.
These imbalances typically show up during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
While these issues are an inevitable part of a women’s journey, it does not make it easy and you don’t have to endure it alone. There are ways to relieve these issues with the right medical treatment.
Read on to learn about the causes and symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance indicates that there is too much or not enough of a hormone in the bloodstream. Even the slightest hormonal imbalance in the body can cause side effects.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemicals in the body that the glands of the endocrine system produce. They are responsible for regulating major bodily processes. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to send messages to the tissues and organs about what action to take and when to do it.
Hormones help regulate the following functions:
- metabolism and appetite
- heart rate
- sleep cycles
- sexual function
- reproductive cycles
- bodily growth and development
- mood and stress levels
- body temperature
It is more common for women to experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance?
Everyone has natural cycles of hormonal fluctuations at different stages of life. But some of these symptoms may indicate that the endocrine glands are not working properly.
Here are general signs of hormonal imbalance:
- weight gain
- sudden weight loss
- fatigue
- muscle weakness, aches, stiffness or tenderness
- pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints
- increased or decreased heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- high sensitivity to cold or heat
- constipation or more frequent bowel movements
- frequent urination
- thirstiness
- increased hunger
- low sex drive
- depression
- anxiety
- blurred vision
- infertility
- thinning or brittle hair
If you have any one of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance. But if you are worried, you can consult a hormone or an endocrine specialist.
These are general symptoms of hormonal imbalance, but let’s break down more specific symptoms for women.
Women who have reached reproductive age experience hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeed and menopause. The most common form of hormonal imbalance that women struggle with is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that produces enlarged ovaries with small cysts resting on the outer edges.
Hormonal imbalance symptoms for women include:
- heavy or irregular periods
- hirsutism
- acne on the face, chest, or upper back
- hair loss
- frequent headaches
- vaginal dryness
- vaginal atrophy
- pain during sex
- night sweats
As with any kind of health issue, there is always a root cause that triggers a symptom.
What Are Common Causes?
Hormone imbalances in women vary depending on which glands are affected. Both internal and external factors can trigger an imbalance. Here are common causes of hormone imbalances:
- medications
- chemotherapy
- cancerous or benign tumors
- chemotherapy
- pituitary tumors
- eating disorders
- stress or anxiety
- physical injury or trauma
Women often experience hormonal imbalances in relation to reproductive hormones. Here are common causes that trigger hormone imbalances:
- menopause
- primary ovarian insufficiency, which is also known as premature menopause
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- PCOS
- hormone drugs such as birth control pills
If you are experiencing hormonal imbalances while simultaneously going through stages such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause, it is likely that these periods are contributing to your hormone imbalances. You can get treatment to alleviate these symptoms.
Treatment for Hormonal Imbalance
While it is a normal part of a women’s life to experience hormonal imbalances, these symptoms can feel highly uncomfortable and sometimes unmanageable. That is why you should consult a specialist so they can work with you to help alleviate these symptoms.
There are several kinds of treatments for hormonal imbalances. The treatments that your doctor or specialist will prescribe for you depends on what is causing the imbalances. Here are common hormonal imbalance treatments:
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Also known as “estrogen therapy,” hormone replacement therapy is a popular treatment especially for women entering menopause.
Medications and medical treatments prescribed for this form of therapy can help reduce menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and moodiness. You can discuss the risk and benefits with your doctor and hormone replacement specialist.
Birth Control
Birth control can help regulate your hormones, thus your menstrual cycle. There are various forms of birth control that you can use. These include a birth control pill or patch. You can also get a birth control shot or an intrauterine device (IUD) placed in your uterus.
You should discuss the risks and benefits of these forms of birth control with your doctors.
Anti-Androgen Medications
Anti-androgen medications block the high level of male sex hormones that exist in a women’s body. These medications can help limit excessive hair growth or loss and reduce acne.
Additional Medications for Women
There are many different medications that can help women experiencing hormonal imbalances. These medications are prescribed based on the specific symptoms a woman is experiencing.
1. Metformin — Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication. It is not FDA approved but may help women dealing with PCOS symptoms.
2. Flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) — Addyi and Vyleesi are two drugs that are FDA approved and treat low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Talk with your doctor about possible side effects.
3. Eflornithine (Vaniqa) — This is a cream-based prescription medication. It targets excessive facial hair in women due to hormonal imbalances. While it does not get rid of existing hair, it slows down new hair growth.
Consult a Specialist Today
If you are in the early stages of menopause or are believe you are experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, visit NuFemme Rejuvenation Clinic. This clinic specializes in hormone replacement therapy to treat hormone imbalances caused by menopause and other health issues in women.
There is no need to wait in discomfort. Consult a specialist at NuFemme Rejuvenation Clinic today.
Image Attribution:
Adobe Stock royalty-free image #119673928, ‘Book with words hormonal imbalance on a table.’ uploaded by designer491, standard license purchased from ; file retrieved on May 10th, 2019. License details available at – image is licensed under the Adobe Stock Standard License.