Hormone Imbalance Symptoms: Recognizing The Signs Of Hormonal Disruption

Flagging The Signs Of A Hormone Imbalance

H ormones are influential components that impact a variety of bodily functions. From triggering puberty to even controlling mood and how other organs and glands regulate metabolism, the building blocks are more essential than most people realize. For people with a hormone imbalance, the health implications can be significant and include lesser known consequences like bone loss or even acne. The best way to get ahead of any issues is to take a proactive approach which means individuals need to know the early warning signs that a problem might exist.

Hair growth changes

One of the earliest signs that hormones might not be in sync is when hair growth changes occur. Suddenly sprouting hair where strands previously weren’t, or more intensely, and even experiencing premature hair loss are both common examples. Specifically for women, suddenly growing too much hair on the upper body or having premature male pattern baldness are causes for concern. For men, a sudden decrease in body hair or changes in beard hair growth are the symptoms to watch.

Stubborn acne

Most people will experience pimples or acne especially in adolescence. However with adults, persistent acne is often an indicator that a hormonal imbalance might be present. In particular, androgens are the hormones responsible for causing acne when levels increase. Most commonly, the unwanted and unsightly bumps typically occur on the jawline or T-zone. Sometimes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the culprit in women, but other life events like pregnancy, menopause, or even beginning or stopping hormonal birth control can be to blame.

Brain fog

Losing a train of thought or forgetting a task can happen to any individual. However, if a person experiences repeated difficulty with concentration or frequently forgets important items or events, getting hormone levels checked might be a good idea. Especially for women in perimenopause and menopause, changes in hormone levels can contribute to brain fog. However, sometimes thyroid disease is the culprit. In both cases, physicians will test for both thyroid hormones and vitamin B12 levels. Supplementing with prescription medications or even an over-the-counter vitamin may help reverse the issue.

Tummy problems

Sometimes people can struggle with the occasional upset stomach from eating spicy foods. Yet, if running to the bathroom because of diarrhea, nausea or stomach pain is a common experience, consider getting tested. Likewise, frequent bloating can also be a sign that hormone levels might need intervention. Research frequently shows that repeated digestive issues can sometimes be a sign that a person has hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland. If that diagnosis is confirmed, then a physician might prescribe levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroid hormone to supplement levels.

Low sex drive

Having a low sex drive might be an embarrassing topic to discuss, but is actually far more common than people realize. For both genders, a low sex drive is usually a key sign of a hormonal imbalance. Likewise, experiencing discomfort during sex, or struggling with erectile dysfunction are often caused by hormonal imbalances. As a remedy, physicians may prescribe supplemental hormones such as vaginal estrogen for low sex drive in women or testosterone replacement therapy for men.

Don’t suffer in silence

In most cases, having a hormonal imbalance is an easily treated condition. As a result, people don’t have to suffer from the symptoms listed above. The first step is to get tested to verify if hormone levels are abnormal and to rule out more serious underlying conditions that can sometimes mimic the same symptoms. For most people, the condition is easily managed with medications or lifestyle changes.