Hormones play an essential role in the body and are responsible for the regulation of many bodily functions. Some things hormones help to regulate include:
* Blood pressure
* Blood sugar
* Metabolism
* Sexual and reproductive functions
* Stress
* Mood
* Growth and development
* And more
As hormones are so important to many bodily functions, a hormone imbalance can be very problematic.
What are Hormonal Imbalances?
If there is too much or too little of a hormone in a person’s bloodstream it can cause a hormone imbalance. This, in turn, can cause anywhere from mild to serious symptoms.
Female Hormones Symptoms
For women, some of the most frequent symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
* Infertility
* Mood swings
* Rashes
* Low sex drive
* Back or abdominal pain during menstruation
* Irregular menstrual cycle
* Diarrhea
* Constipation
* Excessive hair growth
* Insomnia
* Brittle bones
* And others
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to visit an urgent care facility or OBGYN to diagnose the issue and determine if you have a hormonal imbalance. From there, they will discuss treatment options with you.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
There are actually a lot of potential causes of hormonal imbalances. Some of these include:
* Hyperthyroidism
* Hypothyroidism
* Diabetes
* Pituitary tumors
* Cysts
* Cancer
* Acromegaly
* Stress
* Overweight or obesity
* Birth control or hormonal replacement
* And many others
Your doctor will be able to perform an exam and run tests to see what is causing the hormonal imbalance. As there are a lot of causes of hormonal imbalances, there are also a lot of different methods of treatment.
Hormonal Imbalance Treatment
There are a variety of treatment methods for females that have hormonal imbalances. Some of these treatments include:
* Hormonal replacement medications. For those going through menopause, there may be symptoms that include night sweats, hot flashes, and more. These medications are intended to help reduce severe symptoms.
* Birth control. Birth control can be used to help regulate irregular menstrual cycles. There are a few options for birth control that may be considered.
* Anti-androgen medications. These medications are intended to block androgen, which helps to limit acne and excessive hair loss or growth.
* Vaginal estrogen. Changes in estrogen levels can cause excessive vaginal dryness. A cream can be applied that contains estrogen. Tablets or rings may also be used to relieve dryness issues.
* Clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole. For those with PCOS, these medications are intended to stimulate ovulation. Injections of gonadotropins may also be used to help with increasing the chances of pregnancy.
There are other treatment methods that also may be available if the treatments above aren’t the right options for you.
Learn More
If you believe you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance or you would simply like to learn more, reach out today. We’d be happy to speak with you about hormonal imbalances in women, signs to look out for, and treatment options. We can also schedule an appointment for a doctor to see you and better determine if you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance. From there, a treatment plan can be put in place.