Hormonal imbalances are associated with menopause, with menstrual cycles and with thyroid disorders. Symptoms occur when the body produces either too much or not enough of one or more of the many hormones necessary to good health. Hormonal imbalances are more prevalent among women than men, and are more likely to occur in women over the age of 40.
Function
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance range from fatigue and irritability to infertility.
When women begin menopause, the body produces less estrogen, causing a stoppage in egg production. Menopausal women are infertile. This drop in estrogen causes an imbalance. Menopausal women may experience hot flashes, night sweats, irritability and fatigue.
In younger women, a hormonal imbalance may be due to early ovarian failure, or early onset menopause. This results in difficulty in getting pregnant, irregular periods, fatigue and irritability.
Thyroid disorders also cause hormonal imbalances. When the thyroid overproduces and raises hormone levels it is called hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid under produces, it is called hypothyroidism. Either of these disorders can be found in both men and women, and in children as well.
Features
Fatigue and irritability are the more pronounced symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Other symptoms include dry skin, hair loss, excessive weight gain or loss, depression and vaginal dryness. Cognitive skills may also suffer, including short-term memory loss.
In the case of thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances may also result in lack of concentration and an inability to gain or lose weight. In children, thyroid disorder may manifest as short stature or behavioral issues.
Identification
A simple blood test can be used to determine hormone levels.
If menopause is suspected, a blood test is used to determine the level of FSH or follicle stimulating hormone. Blood tests are also used to determine early ovarian failure. A physician will look for levels of estradiol, a form of estrogen.
The thyroid produces not only reproductive hormones, but growth hormones as well, among others. A blood test determines thyroxine and thyrotrophin levels.
Effects
Hormonal imbalances due to thyroid disorders are treated with a daily dose of synthetic or natural hormone that causes the thyroid to produce the necessary amount of hormones. The dose is usually in tablet form.
Early ovarian failure can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. This allows women suffering from this condition to maintain a healthy reproductive system until they reach natural menopause.
Whether menopause is a disease or a natural cycle of life can be a point of contention. Menopause cannot be cured; menopausal women will not begin producing eggs again because treatment has raised their estrogen levels. What treatment does is relieve severe symptoms due to menopause.
Considerations
Treatment for hormonal imbalances then depends on the cause of the imbalance. No doubt a malfunctioning thyroid should be treated; the thyroid is a vital organ to the endocrine system. There is more at stake than the ability to reproduce. The endocrine system is command central for the other systems in the body.
Imbalances of estrogen and progesterone and other reproductive hormones in young women and men need addressing as well. Left unchecked, symptoms can become severe, resulting not only in infertility but obesity and depression as well. The imbalance may also severely affect cognitive skills and memory.
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