From puberty and pregnancy through adulthood, menopause and beyond, hormones are an easy scapegoat for all sorts of health conditions, emotional outbursts and erratic behaviors. But how big a role do they truly play in how you feel and act, and how much do you really know about them?
Here’s what happens when your hormones are out of balance
Whether you’re dealing with too much or not enough, hormone imbalances can affect many of your bodily processes including fertility, insulin production, thyroid function and metabolism, to name just a few.
What are hormones?
Everyone talks about hormones, but few of us truly understand what they actually are. The word “hormones” refers to more than 50 different chemical messengers produced by the glands of the endocrine system to manage a certain function of the body.
Any number of different factors can cause an imbalance of hormones — aging, genetics, medications or steroid use, lifestyle and even stress. Imbalances can be a common problem among all genders, but they may present themselves in starkly different ways depending on the specific issue.
What to watch out for
If you’re experiencing health issues or mood swings, how can you tell whether it’s your hormones to blame or something else? For women, menstrual irregularities, infertility, hot flashes and vaginal dryness may indicate a hormonal imbalance. Across all genders, sexual dysfunction, unexplained weight gain or loss, fluctuations in your heartbeat, reduced sex drive, trouble sleeping, digestive issues, depression, anxiety and adult acne can all be signs of hormonal issues.
Hormone upsets can be tricky to diagnose because there are so many causes to consider, and symptoms may mimic those of many other conditions. In some cases, cancerous or benign tumors, injuries and autoimmune conditions can cause hormonal imbalances. That’s why it’s so important to see your doctor for a consultation and full lab workup as a first step toward finding out what’s going on if you’re experiencing symptoms. Don’t wait too long. Ignoring or dismissing your symptoms can lead to chronic health problems that may be much more difficult to manage later.
How best to treat a hormonal imbalance depends on your individual situation, the hormone in question and whether you have too much or too little of it. In some cases, hormones can be managed through medications such as birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, oral or injectable insulin, and synthetic thyroid pills.
Sometimes all it takes to get your hormones back on track is something as simple as losing weight, upping your vitamin intake or making lifestyle changes like giving up smoking and exercising on a regular basis. To treat more serious conditions, surgery or radiation therapy may be warranted. Whatever’s going on, your doctor or a specialized endocrinologist can help you create the best plan.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.
