Hormone Imbalance: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. A multilingual Latina, Cristina's work has appeared on CNN and its platforms, local news affiliates across the country, and in the promotion of medical journal articles and public health messaging.

Kelly Wood, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist with an interest in osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hormone levels can be thrown off balance by lifestyle habits, environmental factors, or underlying medical conditions. Too much or too little of a particular hormone in your bloodstream can lead to symptoms or other health changes that require medical treatment.

Hormones are essential messengers because they help support many different functions of the body, including metabolism, reproduction, sleep, digestion, and more.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hormone imbalances.

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The body has dozens of hormones that regulate various systems, like breathing, mood, growth, and sexual development. Depending on which hormone becomes out of balance, it's possible to experience multiple symptoms.

Signs of a hormone imbalance include:

Hormone levels in the body naturally fluctuate (or change) throughout the day and your lifetime. People typically notice hormone-based changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

Sometimes, certain lifestyle factors or underlying medical conditions can cause hormone levels to run too high or too low, including:

While you might notice signs of a hormone imbalance at home, you'll need an official diagnosis from a healthcare provider to inform a treatment plan. They will likely ask questions about your symptoms and medical history before performing a physical exam and potentially ordering lab tests to confirm any imbalances.

One test commonly ordered includes a blood test to check certain hormone levels. As the endocrine system releases hormones, the glands distribute them into the bloodstream. From there, the test results will provide information on which hormones may have lower- or higher-than-normal levels.

The treatment plan a healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on the underlying cause of the hormone imbalance.

Some examples of treatment options include:

A healthcare provider may also recommend lifestyle adjustments to help support the medical treatment plan. This includes:

While some supplements have been touted as beneficial for hormone imbalances, there's not enough scientific evidence to officially recommend them as a treatment. Always check with a healthcare provider before stopping any prescribed medications or adding vitamins or supplements to your routine.

Because hormones have a substantial impact on your body and overall wellness, any fluctuations have the potential to affect your overall health.

The good news is many hormone imbalances are typically manageable. But if not treated or regulated correctly, it's possible to develop additional chronic health conditions, such as:

Hormones are a small but mighty part of our bodies. When they get out of control, the resulting imbalances can impact your overall health and quality of life. While some hormonal imbalances may not be entirely preventable, it is possible to cope by adapting the following strategies:

While these lifestyle changes can help you cope with unregulated hormone levels, continuing your prescribed medical treatment plan is important. Check with a healthcare provider if you notice any new or sudden symptoms that concern you.

Hormones are responsible for many different bodily functions, including reproduction, mood, sleep, growth, and metabolism, to name a few. Sometimes, hormone levels become too high or too low, thanks to lifestyle, environmental, or underlying health factors. When this is the case, you might notice various symptoms, from weight changes to hair loss to fatigue, depending on the specific hormone affected.

Because some hormone imbalances can potentially lead to health complications, it's a good idea to seek medical treatment when you notice a pattern of symptoms. Treatment options may include hormone replacement therapy, hormonal birth control, prescription medications, or surgical procedures to treat the underlying issue. Lifestyle tweaks to incorporate optimal sleeping, eating, and stress-reduction habits will likely also be recommended.

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By Cristina MutchlerCristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content.