Hormonal imbalances are a common issue that affects many people, especially women. This condition occurs when there is an overproduction or underproduction of hormones in the body, leading to a range of physical and emotional symptoms.
However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, consuming medications, and eating nutritious food are commonly used to treat diseases caused by hormonal imbalances.
The imbalance of hormone levels in our bodies is the root cause of many hormonal disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, obesity, and many more.
Hearing about hormone imbalance, the first question that comes to mind is, “What is a hormone?” So, let’s dive deeper.
What is Hormone?
One type of molecule that the body produces and secretes is called a hormone, which is transported through the circulatory system to act on its intended target cells.
The endocrine glands secrete a variety of hormones, each of which has a specific role within the body.
Endocrine glands include the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain, the adrenal glands in the kidneys, the thyroid glands and parathyroid gland in the neck, the pancreas gland behind the stomach, the adrenal gland on the top of the kidney, and the thymus gland between the lungs.
Types of Hormones.
![Types of hormones](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1000/1*v5s5lTKgkEqUWcFpGIrejQ.jpeg)
Function of hormone:
1. Pituitary hormones:
a) Growth hormone is responsible for the growth of bones and other organs.
b) Prolactin hormone synthesizes milk proteins and lactose.
c) Adrenocorticotropic hormone controls the production of cortisol which is stress hormone.
d) Thyroid stimulating hormone is responsible for secretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
e) Gonadotropins hormones such as — Follicle stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone. In females, FSH hormone increases ovulation and estrogen secretion, whereas in males, it stimulates spermatogenesis. LH secretes progesterone in female and in male it secretes testosterone.
2. Thyroid hormone:
a) Thyroxine (T4) maintain mechanism and homeostasis.
b) Taking care of triiodothyronine (T3) is necessary for healthy digestion, heart and muscle function, brain development, and bone health.
c) Calcitonin decreases calcium levels in the blood and protects against hypercalcemia.
3. Pancreatic hormones:
a) Insulin disposes of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids. It also promotes synthesis of glycogen, lipids and protein.
b) Glucagon is to increase glucose synthesis in the liver to keep plasma glucose levels stable.
4. Adrenals:
a) Glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone)carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
b) Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)promote sodium reabsorption in kidneys, salivary glands, and large intestine.
c) Sex steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone)enhancement of sexual characteristics.
d) Adrenaline and Noradrenaline is to prepare the body for ‘fight or flight’
5. Gonads:
a) Androgens (testosterone) play important roles in the reproductive functions of females and secondary sexual characteristics.
b) Estrogens (estradiol)play a role in the nervous, skeletal, adipogenesis, and cardiovascular systems. It also regulates the growth, development, and physiology of the human reproductive system.
c) Progesterone (progestin) maintains the uterus during pregnancy. It also produces inflammatory mediators, such as human T-cells within the uterine cavity.
6. Pineal gland:
a) Melatonin regulates circadian rhythms such as the sleep-wake rhythm, neuroendocrine rhythms or body temperature cycles.
7. Parathyroid:
a) Parathormone (PTH) controls the level of calcium in the blood.
8. Kidney:
a) Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production.
b) Renin regulates blood pressure.
9.Liver:
a) Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulating growth of all cell types and causing significant metabolic effects
b) Angiotensinogen regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.
10.Gastrointestinal tract:
a) The stomach secretes ghrelin, also known as the hunger hormone, which increases appetite and releases growth hormone (GH).
b) Somatostatin inhibits the secretion of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and gut hormones.
c) Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) plays role in glucose homeostasis.
What is hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance occurs when the endocrine glands release excessive hormones or the body has a hormonal deficiency. When one hormone is out of balance, it affects the other hormones as well as the rest of the body.
Diabetes due to insulin, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism due to thyroid imbalance, PCOD, PCOS, menopausal disruption, infertility, menstruation issues, and cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer are all caused by hormonal imbalance.
The main hormones secreted by men are testosterones, whereas estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone which are responsible for balancing reproductive system.
Non-sex hormones like growth hormones, thyroid hormones, parathyroid hormones, pancreatic hormones, and kidney hormones are found in both men and women.
Hormonal imbalance is also responsible for other symptoms such as mood swings, weight gain, exhaustion, stress, excessive hunger, sweating, dry skin, hair loss, acne, hair loss, physical pain, and low libido.
Causes of hormonal imbalance:
Many factors, such as age, genetics, stress, insufficient sleep, the outside environment, and a poor diet, lead to hormonal imbalance.
![Causes of hormonal imbalance](https://wisdomhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/6-3.webp)
1.Age:
At a certain age, both women and men’s bodies undergo natural changes that affect hormone production and balance.
As menopause approaches in women, progesterone and estrogen production decline, which cause symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and mood swings.
Throughout time, male testosterone levels tend to gradually decrease with age, which results in symptoms including decreased libido, tiredness, and muscle loss.
2. Genetics:
Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and x-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita are a few of the genetic illnesses brought on by hormonal imbalances.
These genetic disorders require specialized medical attention and treatment, as well as genetic testing.
3. Stress:
An imbalance in the cortisol hormone causes stress, which leads to chronic mental disorders and also affects sleep.
4. External environment:
Environmental factors such as toxins, pollutants, pesticides, plastics and chemicals disturb the hormonal balance.
However, by taking precautions such as eating organic food, avoiding plastics, and limiting exposure to pollution, these can be avoided.
5. Poor diet:
Lack of nutrients negatively affects hormone production and balance. For instance, low vitamin D levels have been associated with low testosterone levels in men, while low vitamin B6 levels have been associated with low progesterone levels in women.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance:
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many of the body’s functions, including metabolism, growth and development, mood, and reproductive processes.
![Symptoms of hormonal imbalance](https://wisdomhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-5.webp)
Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:
1. Irregular menstrual cycle:
Estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone control a woman’s menstrual cycle (LH). The disturbance in between these hormones affects the menstrual cycle, including missed periods or heavy bleeding.
In such situations, speak with a gynecologist and get help before the situation gets worse.
2.Obesity:
Hormones play a critical role in regulating metabolism, appetite, and fat storage in the body. There are several hormones that contribute to obesity, including insulin, cortisol, leptin, and thyroid.
3. Acne:
Androgen hormone controls the production of sebum, an oily substance that clogs skin pores and causes acne.
Moreover, speak with a dermatologist to determine the underlying cause of your acne and receive the best course of therapy.
4. Fatigue:
Thyroid glands produce thyroid hormone, which is responsible for regulating metabolism, but when the thyroid gland is underactive, it causes fatigue.
5. Hair loss:
Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, menopause leads to hair loss and result in thicker, fuller hair.
6. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder:
Low sexual desire is referred to as “hypoactive sexual desire disorder.” Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone have a significant impact on the control of sexual desire and function.
Estrogen and progesterone are primarily female hormones, but they also play a role in male sexual function.
In women, estrogen helps to maintain vaginal lubrication, which is important for comfortable and pleasurable sexual activity.
Progesterone affects sexual desire in addition to controlling the menstrual cycle and getting the body ready for pregnancy.
Testosterone is associated with sexual desire and function in men. Other hormones, such as oxytocin and dopamine, are also involved in sexual function and affect sexual desire and pleasure.
In addition, this hormonal imbalance not only interferes with sleep but can also affect mood.
Hormone replacement therapy:
![hormone replacement therapy](https://wisdomhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7-3.webp)
1.Insulin therapy:
Insulin hormone regulates blood sugar level in human body cells. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who are insulin insufficient typically receive insulin injections as therapy.
Insulin can be administered using a number of techniques, including injection with a syringe or injection using an insulin pen.Insulin therapy is used to treat diabetes, but it also has side effects, such as hypoglycemia or weight gain.
2.Radioiodine therapy:
Imbalance of thyroid hormone causes hypothyroid or hyperthyroid. Radioiodine therapy is the treatment of choice for a large percentage of hyperthyroidism patients and also used to treat thyroid cancer.
The thyroid gland absorbs the radioactive iodine, which then kills the overactive thyroid cells, shrinks goiters, and lowers thyroid hormone production.
Certainly, levothyroxine monotherapy is an effective treatment for hypothyroidism, which is an absence of thyroid hormone.
In addition, levothyroxine and liothyronine combination therapy has also been proven to be helpful.
Anti-thyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil and methimazole are used in the USA. The only remaining treatment for people with massive goitres is surgery, also known as a thyroidectomy.
3.Estrogen replacement therapy:
Estrogen-deficiency causes infertility, irregular menstruation cycles, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases, and this is treated by Estrogen replacement therapy.
ERT’s long-term side effects, such as the risk of breast cancer, advanced uterine cancer, severe liver illness, or active thromboembolic problems, continue to worry medical professionals.
4. Testosterone replacement therapy:
Hypogonadism in male is caused due to testosterone deficiency which is treated by testosterone replacement therapy. It also cures libido. Injectable formulations like testosterone propionate, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate are available in the market.
There are numerous ways to administer testosterone, including intramuscular injections, patches, gels, or subcutaneously inserted pellets.
The risk factors for therapy includes prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart failure, and sleep apnea.
5. Corticosteroid (steroid) replacement therapy:
The replacement of corticosteroids (steroid) is used to treat adrenal insufficiency. For instance, the deficiency of cortisol secretion that leads to Addison’s disease can be treated with hydrocortisone tablets.
Corticosteroid use over an extended period of time can result in a number of side effects, such as osteoporosis, weight gain, and an increased risk of infections.
6. Dopamine therapy:
A dopamine imbalance causes Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.
It is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s diseases, which includes drugs such as dopamine agonists (rotigotine, ropinirole, and lisuride), cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil), antimuscarinic medicines (trihexyphenidyl, benztropine, biperiden), MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline, rasagiline), and amantadine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the options to treat schizophrenia. As a result, antipsychotic medications are beneficial in the acute phase of patients.
Conclusion:
Lack of or excessive hormone secretion is the primary cause of hormonal imbalance. The body secretes a variety of hormones, such as insulin, thyroid hormones, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, and oxytocin.
Each hormone plays a specific role in the body. Age, genetics, stress, and a poor diet are the reasons for hormonal imbalance.
Secondly, the symptoms of hormonal imbalances vary depending on the specific hormone involved which include fatigue, weight gain or loss, mood changes, and sexual dysfunction.
Treatment for hormonal imbalances mostly involves hormone replacement therapies for instance insulin replacement therapy for insulin imbalance.
However, therapy has its pros and cons, so it’s important to consult with doctors to determine if hormone replacement therapy is right for them.