Hormones are a very important part of the body, as they regulate many functions in the body. These include:
* Blood pressure
* Blood sugar
* Metabolism
* Sexual and reproductive functions
* Stress
* Mood
* Growth and development
* And more
With hormones being so important, hormonal changes and imbalances can have major effects on the body overall. Some of these changes (like those experienced when going through menopause), are natural and cannot be avoided. Other hormonal changes are indicative of underlying issues that need to be addressed.
What are Hormonal Imbalances?
A hormone imbalance is when there is too little or too much of a hormone in the bloodstream of a person’s body. When this happens, symptoms can be anywhere from mild to pretty severe.
Some Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
There are quite a few potential causes of hormonal imbalance. These include:
* Hyperthyroidism
* Diabetes
* Pituitary tumors
* Hypothyroidism
* Stress
* Acromegaly
* Cysts
* Cancer
* Overweight or obesity
* Birth control or hormonal replacement
* And many others
As mentioned, hormones will change during menopause. This is completely normal. With that said, if symptoms are severe your doctor can prescribe treatment.
If you aren’t sure what the cause of the hormonal imbalance is or you are experiencing symptoms listed below, you should consider reaching out to urgent care to have a doctor perform an examination.
Female Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms
Some of the most frequent causes of hormonal imbalance include:
* Infertility
* Rashes
* Low sex drive
* Mood swings
* Diarrhea
* Excessive hair growth
* Back or abdominal pain during menstruation
* Irregular menstrual cycle
* Constipation
* Insomnia
* Brittle bones
* And others
Visit your OBGYN or urgent care if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your doctor will determine what the issue is. If you have a hormonal imbalance, it can be addressed.
Hormonal Imbalance Treatment
Depending on the reason for the hormonal imbalance, there are different treatment methods that may be considered. These include:
* Hormonal replacement medications. If you are going through menopause, hormonal replacement medications may be helpful in reducing the more severe symptoms.
* Birth control. For an irregular menstrual cycle, the solution may be birth control.
* Anti-androgen medications. Anti-androgen medications are intended to block androgen. This helps to limit excessive hair growth and acne.
* Clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole. If you have PCOS, these medications can help with stimulating ovulation. Injections of gonadotropins can also be used to increase the chances of pregnancy.
* Vaginal estrogen. Women who experience changes in estrogen levels may also experience excessive vaginal dryness. Estrogen cream may be applied to help remedy this.
These are a few treatments that may be available. Speak with your doctor to see what the right option is to meet your needs.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms above, you may be experiencing hormonal changes. The underlying reason will need to be determined in order to receive treatment. Contact us today if you are experiencing symptoms associated with hormonal changes. A physician will perform an exam to determine the reason for your hormonal changes and address the symptoms (and possibly the underlying causes).