Hormonal Imbalance in Women

May 28 13:27 2021 Print This Article

Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands in the human body and released into the bloodstream. They manage and regulate many of the body’s processes. These glands are: adrenal, gonad (testes in men and ovaries in women), pineal, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, and pancreatic islets.

The hormones produced by these glands initiate, manage or regulate a wide range of body functions such as:

• body temperature
• heart rate
• metabolism and appetite
• general growth and development
• reproductive cycles and sexual function
• sleep cycles
• mood and stress levels

A balanced production of these hormones is vital for overall health. Any imbalance in this can cause short-term or long-term consequences, so it’s important to be aware of them.

Causes for hormonal imbalance in women 

• Chronic or extreme stress
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Hormone therapy
• Hormone drugs such as birth control pills
• Abuse of anabolic steroid medications
• Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
• Tumors, whether cancerous or benign in the glands
• Cysts in these glands
• Pituitary tumors
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Being obese or overweight
• Eating disorders such as Anorexia
• Injury or trauma to the glands
• Diabetes insipidus
• Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis
• Hypogonadism – shrunken or under-developed testes in men, ovaries in women
• Primary ovarian insufficiency, which is also known as premature menopause
• Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS
• Blood sugar abnormalities such as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
• Cushing’s syndrome characterized by high levels of the hormone cortisol
• Addison’s disease characterized by low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which causes low levels of cortisol and aldosterone
• Severe allergic reactions or infections
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Goiter or Iodine deficiency
• Hereditary pancreatitis
• Turner syndrome where the woman has only one functioning X chromosome
• Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes obesity, intellectual disability and shortness in height
• Phytoestrogens which are naturally-occurring plant estrogens found in soy products
• Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances 

• Mood swings: Estrogen affects serotonin a chemical that affects mood, so fluctuations in estrogen can cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depressions during perimenopause.
• Heavy, painful periods: Estrogen fluctuations can cause abdominal pain, lower back pain, frequent urination, constipation, painful intercourse, and heavy bleeding during periods.
• Low sex drive: Falling estrogen and testosterone levels at the onset of, during, and after menopause can cause low libido, anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, and sweating at
• Insomnia: Both estrogen and progesterone regulate sleep cycles, so falling levels of these hormones can cause low-quality sleep, and hence fatigue, lack of energy, and mood swings.
• Weight-gain: A combination of various unexplained factors triggered by hormonal imbalance can cause weight gain, especially in the abdomen area.

• Skin problems: Low levels of estrogen and progesterone, high levels of testosterone can cause acne while PCOS and menopause can cause dry and itchy skin.
• Fertility issues: High levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), menopause, and PCOS can make it difficult for a woman to conceive.
• Headaches: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause can cause headaches every now and then.
• Weak bones: Falling levels of estrogen and testosterone during perimenopause or menopause can cause bone loss leading to brittle or porous bones (osteoporosis)
• Vaginal dryness: Falling estrogen levels during perimenopause or menopause, the use of oral contraceptives and anti-depressants all cause vaginal dryness

Complications 

The hormonal imbalance that is not recognized or treated quickly can cause a wide range of complications over time, and depending on other parameters.

• Obesity: Obesity is both cause and consequence of hormonal balance. Obesity opens the door for many other ailments such as cardiovascular ailments, cancers in different parts of the body, and type-2 imbalance.
• Sterility: As described above, fertility issues caused by hormonal imbalance can prolong unless the condition is reversed. This can make it very difficult for the woman to conceive naturally and other methods like IVF may have to examine.
• Breast cancer: Estrogen dominance (too much estrogen), obesity, unhealthy diet, and exposure to endocrine disruptors are all known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Belly fat, insulin resistance, toxic substances that act as endocrine disruptors, and birth control pills are all triggers for hormonal imbalance, and stress which is a cause for the hormonal imbalance – are all risk factors for breast cancer.
• Mental illnesses: Women who are prone to depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders can have aggravated symptoms when there is a hormonal imbalance in them.
• Sexual dysfunction and frigidity
• Kidney damage
• Endometrial cancer
• High blood pressure
• Loss of muscle mass
• Urinary Incontinence
• Temporary or permanent hair loss

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for a Hormonal Imbalance 

Various tests are done to confirm hormonal imbalance and to check for complications arising out of them. The doctor may call for blood tests to check for thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol levels. A Pap smear will be used to check for unusual lumps, cysts, or tumors while an ultrasound will be used to get images of the uterus, ovaries, thyroid, and pituitary glands. A biopsy will be done if the tumor is suspected, while an MRI or X-ray will look for bone loss.

Treatment options are wide and varied. Estrogen therapy, vaginal estrogen, hormonal birth control, and anti-androgen medications aim to balance the sex hormones. Thyroid hormone therapy and drugs such as Levothyroxine are given to address thyroid issues, while drugs such as Metformin, Flibanserin, bremelanotide, and Eflornithine are given to address various consequences or complications arising out of hormonal imbalance. IVF techniques and drugs such as Clomiphene and letrozole are given to women with PCOS who are trying to conceive.

In addition to the above, friends and family may suggest native medicine or alternate treatments. However, these should be pursued with caution as there is no documentary evidence on their efficacy or side effects.

Outlook

Hormonal imbalance is a complex matter with both short-term and long-term consequences that affect various aspects of a woman’s life. However, advances in medicine have made it easier for today’s women to treat this problem better, compared to the past.

If you or any woman near to you is experiencing hormonal imbalance, do not take it lightly. Visit a reputed hospital and consult an endocrinologist there who specializes in women’s health. He/she will evaluate your condition thoroughly and design the right course of treatment for quick recovery and rehabilitation.

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801