Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: A Complete Guide 2024

Approximately 50% of American women (aged 30-60) have experienced symptoms of hormonal imbalance. A recent survey involving thousands of American women revealed this shocking statistic. Even more shocking is the fact that 72% of the respondents didn’t even know they had hormonal imbalance-related health issues.

Only 38% of the respondents knew that memory loss was a symptom of hormonal imbalance.

41% of the respondents understood that brain fog and mood swings are hormonal imbalance symptoms.

Only 29% of the women knew that unwanted hair growth & urinary incontinence are caused due to hormonal changes in the body.

Most women get to learn about hormonal imbalances when they’re pregnant.

But hormone imbalance isn’t an issue that only concerns pregnant women either. All women are prone to suffering from medical conditions caused by hormone imbalances.

In fact, all women experience hormonal imbalance signs during their menstruation cycles. Men can also be victims of hormonal imbalances.

In 2001, a condition called “Irritable Male Syndrome” was diagnosed by British scientists. Irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and other behavioral changes are the main symptoms of this male hormone-related condition.

Let’s explore hormonal imbalances in detail.

What is Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormones serve as chemical messengers in the body. They’re produced by the endocrine glands in the endocrine system. The messages these chemicals transmit through the body help coordinate, dictate, and facilitate different functions of the body.

From maintaining your body temperature to metabolism to sexual functions – different hormones in the body serve different types of essential purposes. So far, scientists have identified and classified at least 50 hormones in the human body. Some of the most important hormones in the body include:

Insulin

This is a fat-storage hormone. It’s released by the pancreas. Its main task is to help different organs in the body absorb glucose and facilitate the body’s metabolic processes. People who lack this hormone in their bodies develop insulin resistance. Their body can’t absorb glucose anymore so blood sugar accumulates in their bodies, making them extra prone to diabetes.

Melatonin

The pineal gland (not the pituitary gland) in your brain produces this hormone. Melatonin is key to maintaining the body’s sleep & wake cycles. If your internal body clock is messed up, it’s probably because the melatonin levels in your brain are imbalanced.

Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the main sex hormones in the female body. It’s released by a female’s ovaries. It’s vital for many functions in the body, including – bone formation, the development of breasts, the widening of hips, and blood clotting. It also regulates menstrual cycles. Maintaining healthy estrogen levels is key to women’s health.

Women with falling estrogen levels experience weight gain, low libido, depression, mood swings, and other health issues. They’re typically advised to apply vaginal estrogen to fix the imbalance.

Similar issues may arise if there’s too much estrogen in the body. This condition is called estrogen dominance and it can be treated with extensive estrogen therapy.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

FSH is an essential hormone that maintains the health of the female reproductive system. It’s responsible for developing ovarian follicles.

These follicles produce & maintain progesterone & estrogen levels in the ovaries. Women with FSH deficiency suffer from primary ovarian insufficiency. Women with too much FSH in their bodies suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.

Testosterone

Although testosterone is widely considered to be a “male hormone” female bodies also produce it. This hormone falls in the family of androgen hormones that help start puberty.

For males, healthy testosterone levels are key for healthy muscle and bone mass formation.

It’s also a key driver of many sexual functions in male bodies. Men with low levels of this sex hormone experience loss of bone density, muscle mass, and low sex drives.

Testosterone therapies are a good way to treat these hormone related conditions.

Cortisol

The adrenal glands in our kidneys produce and release cortisol, the “stress hormone.” It’s called that because the adrenal glands only release this hormone when you’re under extreme stress.

Cortisol is helpful in activating the body whenever you feel imminent danger. But, excessively high levels of stress hormones in the body lead to anxiety, irritability, and sleep-related issues.

Thyroid Hormones

These hormones are produced & released by the thyroid glands. Too little or too much of these hormones in the body lead to different types of thyroid diseases. Parathyroid hormone is another hormone that falls under this category.

It’s released by parathyroid glands located just behind the thyroid glands in the neck.  All hormones produced by the thyroid play integral functions in the body, including – reproduction, temperature regulation, brain development, regulating blood calcium levels, and maintaining bone health.

From hair growth to brain development, hormones facilitate countless essential functions in the body. That’s why, even during natural hormonal changes (e.g., during puberty) our physical & mental health suffers.

Hormonal imbalances happen when the body produces too much or too little of certain hormones.

“Hormonal imbalance” is a broad term that denotes different hormone-related medical conditions. These chemicals produced all across the body transmit powerful signals.

Without these signals, the body undergoes major changes and develops medical conditions that require professional treatment.

Imbalances in growth hormones, insulin, thyroid hormones, adrenaline, and other hormones affect males and females alike. However, typically males experience imbalances in testosterone levels and females experience imbalances in estrogen levels.

>> Related Article: 7 Best Testosterone Booster Supplements in 2024 • All Natural Supplements

What are the Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance?

The symptoms of hormone imbalances vary depending on the patient’s sex and which glands are affected. For example, night sweats are a common symptom for females with low estrogen levels and men with low testosterone levels. That’s why it’s hard to pinpoint hormonal imbalance symptoms.

Here’s a generalized list of symptoms in males and females:

Other Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Acne 

Can occur in both males & females due to the overproduction of sebum (oil) in the skin’s sebaceous glands. Also known as oil glands, they only function properly when testosterone & estrogen hormone levels in the body are stable. Hormonal imbalances lead to the production of excess oil in the skin. This oil clogs and inflames the sweat pores in the skin.

Females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are likelier to experience acne caused by these hormonal imbalances. People who develop insulin resistance are also likelier to experience acne.

Weight Gain

Hormone imbalances trigger various malfunctions in the body that lead to unexplained weight gain. Here are some examples:

• People with stimulated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) gain weight very quickly.
• Low levels of TSH in the body can slow down metabolism rates and cause people to gain weight.
• Falling estrogen levels cause women to gain weight during menopause. Similar hormonal imbalances due to polycystic ovary syndrome can also result in weight gain.

Cushing’s disease (often mistook for obesity) is another hormone-related condition. 80% of people (males & females) with this disease report weight gain as the main symptom.

Cushing’s disease happens when the adrenal glands in the body produce too much cortisol.

Injecting artificial steroid hormones into the body may also cause this disorder causes the body to produce excess amounts of cortisol.

Anxiety

One or a mixture of different hormonal imbalances in the body can cause anxiety.

Deficiencies of growth hormones cause teenagers to develop anxiety and depression from a young age.

When the body produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) patients experience anxiety, nervousness, and irritability.

Women who take birth control pills often experience depression & anxiety. That’s because these pills contain female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Sudden rises in estrogen levels in the body can cause mental health problems.

What Are the Causes of Hormonal Imbalance?

Throughout our lives, our hormone levels keep rising and falling naturally. In fact, these fluctuations happen all the time & they’re completely natural.

Human bodies experience more intense fluctuations in hormones in certain stages of their lives.

They include puberty, pregnancy, andropause, & menopause. While these changes in hormone levels are natural and expected, some internal or external factors may ruin and disbalance the system. 

Here are the most common causes of hormonal imbalance:

Stress

Your body’s hormone health network suffers a great deal when you go through periods of intense physical/mental stress. The adrenal gland produces higher levels of cortisol, vasopressin, catecholamines (adrenaline and norepinephrine), and growth hormones.

Drugs

The chemicals produced in your body may react negatively with the chemicals you consume via drugs or alcohol. For example, alcohol abuse can disrupt various hormonal cycles, including menstrual cycles.

That’s why women with alcohol abuse disorders are likelier to develop breast cancer.

Other drugs behind the causes of hormonal imbalance include amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opioids, and steroids.

Taking hormone replacement medications or undergoing hormone replacement therapy may also cause severe imbalances in the body.

Even the medications meant to supplement hormone loss in the body can cause complications if you don’t consume them carefully.

For example, excessive consumption of anti-androgen medications (typically prescribed for weight loss) may cause severe complications and imbalances.

Steroid Abuse

Men who inject artificial steroid hormones into their bodies may permanently damage their endocrine system. Similarly, receiving testosterone therapy without your doctor’s permission can cause severe harm to your endocrine glands.

These types of hormonal imbalances are typically fixable. Humans have developed many hormone replacement medications that fix these issues. But, hormone imbalance issues can also be chronic.

Chronic hormonal imbalances are typically caused by:

Tumors

The formation of tumors in the endocrine glands or the adrenal glands can cause severe hormone imbalances. Here are some examples of such tumors:  adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), neuroendocrine tumors (NET), medullary thyroid tumors, pheochromocytomas, and paragangliomas. All these tumors are cancerous.

Adenomas are benign, non-cancerous tumors. The formation of adenomas can also damage your endocrine system and cause severe hormone imbalances.

Other Growths

Other types of growths on endocrine glands (apart from tumors & adenomas) can also lead to hormone imbalances. For example, thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps of cells that grow on the thyroid gland.

They trigger the over-production of hormones from the thyroid which leads to hyperthyroidism and other thyroid diseases.

Damage to Glands

When any endocrine gland is damaged or injured, it causes hormonal imbalances in the body. These injuries can occur due to surgical mistakes or heavy falls. Brain or head trauma can also damage the pituitary gland in your head.

Blood Loss

Excessive blood loss can lead to hormone imbalance in the body. For example, severe blood loss after childbirth causes the pituitary hormone levels in the mother’s body to drop excessively.

These types of hormonal imbalances lead to necrosis, Sheehan’s syndrome, and other serious complications.

Radiation Exposure

Exposure to radiation can ruin your endocrine glands. That’s why people with head/neck cancer develop hypothyroidism after receiving radiation therapy.

Autoimmune Disorders

Hashimoto’s disease, Type 1 diabetes, Addison’s disease, & polyglandular syndromes are some autoimmune diseases that cause hormonal imbalances.

The immune systems of people with these conditions attack glands or organs that produce hormones.

How is Hormonal Imbalance Treated & Prevented?

To determine the causes behind a patient’s hormone imbalance symptoms, a doctor will order various blood tests. Doctors may also ask the patient to undergo insulin & glucose tolerance tests. These tests reveal different hormone levels in the patient’s bloodstream.

Once the imbalances are diagnosed, the doctor will create treatment plans based on the factors causing the imbalance.

Low Hormone Levels

People with lower-than-usual hormone levels are typically given hormone replacement therapy. This therapy involves giving patients of doses of different hormones (based on which hormone is deficient).

They can be taken orally (pills) or injected in the body. For instance, people with low thyroid levels receive thyroid hormone replacement medications.

High Hormone Levels

People with higher-than-usual hormone levels have to lose whichever hormones their bodies are over-producing. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, medications, or combinations of all these options.

For example, females with excessive estrogen in their bodies are likelier to develop breast cancer. To tackle the estrogen dominance in their bloodstreams, they have to take estrogen-blocking medications.

How Do You Fix Hormonal Imbalance?

When hormonal imbalances lead to serious medical conditions like thyroid disease or diabetes – the patients need professional medical treatment. Without it, their hormonal imbalances can become chronic.

In addition to medical treatment, people can also make the following lifestyle changes to naturally balance the levels of hormone:

Eat a Healthy Diet

Regularly eating balanced diets can prevent hormonal imbalance symptoms from ever propping up in your life. Always ensure that your diet is packed with lean proteins, fiber, healthy fats, and other items that aid your metabolism.

Eggs, fatty fish, leafy greens, pomegranates, cherries, and green tea are great food items for maintaining hormone health.

Stay Away from Endocrine Disruptors

Your endocrine system is very delicate. When exposed to environmental compounds & pollutants, it stops functioning properly.

So, always avoid items that are known for disrupting this sensitive system. They include herbicides, pesticides, plastics, fragrances in cleaning supplies, tobacco smoke, and flame-retardant products.

Exercise & Sleep

Engaging in intense physical activities helps the different glands in the body function efficiently. For example, insulin production increases in people who exercise regularly.

Exercising also relieves stress and keeps the cortisol and adrenaline levels in your body stable.

Most importantly, always get 7-8 hours of sleep during nighttime inside a dark room. Lack of proper sleep leads to different types of hormonal imbalances (melatonin, cortisol, & insulin levels drop).

Take Supplements

In addition to these natural remedies, there are many nutritional supplements that people can consume to maintain healthy hormone levels. There are some supplements designed specifically for women. Others cater to only men.

1. Best-Selling All-Natural Hormone Balancing Supplement: Hormonal Harmony HB-5

Of all these supplements, Hormonal Balance 5 (HB-5) is the most highly rated. Both men & women can benefit from this all-natural hormone balancing supplement. Created by Dr. Eric Wood, the HB-5 supplement is packed with natural ingredients. These ingredients target and unblock hormonal blockages in the body.

• HB-5 specifically helps maintain the five essential types of hormones in the body – insulin, estrogen, cortisol, leptin, and thyroid hormones.
• The HB-5 supplement also gives users the energy boosts they need early in the morning. It’s also a tasty snack that makes people lose their appetite for unhealthy, fatty foods.
• When the five vital hormones of your body return to healthy levels, losing weight, tackling hair loss, etc., becomes easier.

Most working people have hectic lifestyles and can’t plan healthy diets for themselves every day. The all-organic HB-5 supplement presents an easy solution for them and their hormonal imbalances.

• It only takes a minute to consume this GMP-certified and FDA-compliant supplement.
• All the natural ingredients in this supplement are 100% safe for human consumption. They’ve been specifically chosen to help people lose weight in a rapid manner.
• Some of the key ingredients of HB 5 are  kelp, African mango, cinnamon, BladderWrack, Rhodiola Rosea, and red ginseng.
• People with hormone related conditions should try consuming one bottle of HB-5 capsules over 30 days.

Begin by taking one dose a day. Then, increase your consumption to up to three capsules a day if everything goes smoothly (not more than that). Take these capsules with or without food.

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Conclusion

Hormonal imbalance is an issue that affects people of all sexes & age groups. They become more prevalent during certain stages of life (like menstruation or puberty). But, anyone can struggle with hormone-related conditions. Thankfully, there are natural remedies that can treat hormonal imbalance long before they become chronic conditions.

Hormonal Balance 5 is one such supplement that brings hope to many individuals struggling with hormone-related health issues. Unlike synthetic medicines that are packed with chemicals, all-natural solutions like HB-5 don’t have any major negative side effects.

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Hormonal Imbalance FAQs

What are the signs of hormonal imbalance?

Different hormonal imbalances manifest different types of symptoms. Constant fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, and loss of sexual drive are some of the more common symptoms.

How do you fix your hormonal imbalance?

Live a healthy life. Follow a healthy diet. Take organic supplements that boost hormone health. If you’ve experienced persistent symptoms of hormone imbalance, talk to your healthcare providers as quickly as possible. They’ll ask you to take blood tests to understand the causes behind your hormone imbalance symptoms.

What causes hormone imbalance in females?

Female bodies experience natural hormonal imbalance during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, & menopause. Abnormal or unexpected imbalances may occur due to medical conditions, lifestyle choices, or environmental conditions.

What are the 5 hormonal imbalances?

Insulin, estrogen, cortisol, leptin, and thyroid hormonal imbalance are the most prevalent.