Could there be a hormonal imbalance? What is hormonal balance? Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders in men and women

Hormonal disbalance – a painful question for many girls and women. As you know, hormones play an important role in the normal functioning of the body, they affect physiological functions and are responsible for metabolism, so imbalance in them is fraught with very unpleasant problems.

Hormones must have a clear level, but when it changes, this leads to a series of metamorphoses in the body. An imbalance can trigger the development of many diseases and have complex consequences, so if this condition is detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Each female body reacts differently to hormonal imbalance, and sometimes even ordinary symptoms can indicate the presence of this disorder.

Signs of hormonal imbalance in girls and women

Among the main signs of the disease are the following:

• Irregular menstruation. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, frequent delays or absence of periods, you should be examined by a doctor, as these indicators may be related to hormonal imbalance;
• Mood swings, irritability. A woman with such a problem can constantly be in a bad mood, lash out at others, and show aggression and anger that were previously unusual for her. Another indicator is depression or pessimism;
• Weight gain. The imbalance can also manifest itself in rapid weight gain, regardless of the food consumed. That is, you can be on a strict diet, but still gain weight;
• Chronic fatigue, poor night sleep(long fall asleep, frequent awakenings). If the balance of hormones is disturbed, you feel tired even without physical activity, after waking up, etc.;
• Decreased sex drive. Interest in sexual life disappears, caresses do not excite, you don’t want intimacy;
• Headache ;
• Hair loss (alopecia);
• In addition, in some cases it appears vaginal dryness, uterine fibroids, wrinkles, fibrocystic formations in the breast, etc.

There are other symptoms of hormonal imbalance that can help a doctor diagnose the disease, for example, instead of loss, there may be increased hair growth, and mainly not on the head, but on the face and body. Blood pressure often jumps and limbs swell. Failures in thermoregulation also occur, and then you can observe increased sweating.

Causes of hormonal imbalance

In the female body, a large role is assigned to two hormones - progesterone and estrogen. And in the overwhelming majority of cases, it is the excess of the latter that leads to imbalance.

1. Climax. The most common cause in women over 40 years of age entering menopause. This period is characterized by the fact that eggs stop being produced and the body adjusts to a different mode of operation, which, in turn, affects the supply of estrogen.
2. Puberty. At this time, girls develop reproductive functions. Sometimes hormonal balance returns only after pregnancy and childbirth.
3. Pregnancy and childbirth. The disorder usually resolves itself some time after the birth of the child.
4. Hormonal drugs. Many girls and women take oral contraceptive pills. This pharmacological product is based on hormones, so it can have a direct effect on the failure.
5. Stress, mental stress, worries. These phenomena can be regarded as both causes and signs. In such situations, the central nervous system suffers, and it affects the endocrine system, which, in turn, is responsible for hormones. Accordingly, the more experiences, the stronger the impact on balance.
6. Unhealthy Lifestyle. This includes a large number of factors, for example, an incorrect daily routine, when a person experiences chronic lack of sleep due to spending less than 8 hours sleeping. Chronic fatigue syndrome, which occurs due to improper rest and work patterns, also plays a role. Of course, smoking and alcohol are another significant cause of hormonal imbalance.
7. Poor nutrition. Diets that girls are now actively using are also included. Due to a reduction in food intake, the body does not receive enough necessary components for the production of hormones. This can also be said about eating a large amount of fatty foods, fast food, and overeating.
8. Overweight . The appearance of extra pounds and especially obesity can reduce the production of hormones.
9. Diseases and disorders in the field of gynecology. In such a situation, the body directs its forces to fight the disease. Surgeries and abortions can have a negative impact.
10. Illness and excessive exercise. Any acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, colds, overexertion are common causes of hormone imbalance in the body. It has been established that diseases suffered in childhood can have an impact on hormonal levels in the future.

How to restore hormonal imbalance in the body

If several signs of a violation have been noticed, then you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. In this case, a therapist and gynecologist can help. For diagnosis and further treatment, it is necessary to donate blood and test for hormones.

Only a doctor should determine the course of treatment. Based on the clinical picture and test results, he will determine which hormone level needs to be brought back to normal.

You need to restore the normal state of the body using two methods at once:

• eliminate the cause that caused it;
• stabilize hormone levels with medications.

In any case, you need to act simultaneously in two directions. It is very important to eliminate the cause, otherwise further treatment will not make sense.

As for the duration of therapy, everything is decided on a case-by-case basis and depends on the causes and level of imbalance. Restoring normal hormonal levels can take from several weeks to several years.

What to do in case of hormonal imbalance?

The answer is clear - do not self-medicate. The therapy is very simple and effective. A woman or girl can continue to lead a normal lifestyle, because usually the same hormonal drugs are used to eliminate the problem.

A woman's body undergoes monthly hormonal changes from adolescence to menopause. Deficiency or excess of hormones affects the functions of all organs and systems. If hormonal imbalance occurs in women, treatment helps normalize their concentration and restore the functioning of the body.

Hormones stabilize the functioning of the body and affect health. A woman feels good when her hormone levels are balanced. When they are imbalanced, the performance of all organs and systems is disrupted.

The female body produces various hormones. Estrogen and progesterone have the greatest impact on health. A malfunction of organs and systems occurs when the concentration of estrogen rises.

Factors that cause hormonal imbalance include:

• genetic predisposition;
• pathologies of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
• infections;
• operations;
• pancreatic diseases;
• severe stress, depression, emotional turmoil;
• dysfunction of endocrine organs.

The use of hormonal drugs is a serious reason leading to disruptions in the body.

Hormone imbalance develops against the background of infections and certain pathologies. It is provoked by:

• atherosclerosis;
• bronchial asthma;
• polycystic disease;
• endometriosis.

The balance of hormones is disrupted after surgery on the internal genital organs. Sometimes the disorder is so severe that infertility develops. Hormonal levels change in teenage girls, pregnant women, and menopause. After delivery, the hormone balance returns to normal spontaneously.

Many contraceptives contain hormones. They can cause disruptions in the hormonal system. A background disorder occurs if a woman ignores a healthy lifestyle, eats poorly, and is overweight.

Symptoms

Signs of hormonal imbalance differ between teenage girls and mature women. In girls it manifests itself as follows:

• unstable menstrual cycle;
• delayed menstruation: they do not occur by the age of 16 (this is an important sign of a hormonal disorder);
• lack of armpit and pubic hair;
• underdeveloped mammary glands;
• excessive thinness.

In women, hormone imbalance can:

• disrupt the menstrual cycle;
• cause chronic fatigue;
• provoke irritability, insomnia;
• cause headaches;
• cause discomfort during intimacy.

If there is a malfunction in the hormonal system, some women experience hair loss. Weight gain is a significant symptom of imbalance.

When menopause occurs, women suffer from prolonged depression, manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, and swelling of the mammary glands. They are tormented by absent-mindedness, fatigue, and apathy.

These symptoms may be supplemented by signs of gynecological pathologies. Women are diagnosed with various diseases of the genitourinary system. Signs of hormonal disorders are similar to those of other diseases. Treatment for hormonal imbalance should be prescribed by a doctor. The treatment regimen is drawn up based on the test results.

Complications

Hormonal imbalances lead to various complications. They call:

• obesity;
• sexual dysfunction;
• infertility;
• development of cancerous tumors;
• formation of cysts in the mammary glands;
• diabetes;
• atherosclerosis;
• osteoporosis.

Miscarriage is another undesirable consequence of hormonal imbalance.

Mostly, the imbalance occurs in women who have crossed the 40-year mark. It occurs rarely in girls and young people of childbearing age.

Therapeutic treatment

If signs of a hormonal disorder appear, you must undergo an examination:

• donate blood for analysis;
• do a hormone test;
• undergo an ultrasound.

The doctor, having established the causes of the disorders, will prescribe treatment. To eliminate the imbalance, various medications are used:

• to improve menstruation or stabilize the condition during menopause, use Mastodinon, Cyclodinon, Klimadinon;
• sedatives, antidepressants, tranquilizers relieve psychogenic disorders;
• take multivitamins.

If the imbalance is not significant, patients are recommended to take vitamins A and E. They have effects similar to estrogen. Vitamins compensate for the deficiency of bioactive substances.

The prescribed hormone-containing drug is taken in short or long courses (from one week to several months). Self-medication is unacceptable. Only a doctor can calculate the dosage of medications and the duration of treatment.

Women are prescribed the necessary physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, massage), and are recommended to undergo a course of treatment in a sanatorium.

Diet therapy

Dietary nutrition is selected taking into account the patient’s condition and concomitant diseases. If hormonal imbalance in women is caused by irrational food consumption, the menu is adjusted and fresh, high-quality products are introduced into it.

The diet is designed so that fats, proteins and carbohydrates are balanced, the foods consumed do not allow you to gain weight and at the same time compensate for nutritional deficiencies.

A diet for hormone imbalance involves eating plant foods in large quantities. Women need to eat vegetables, berries, fruits, sunflower seeds, nuts, lean meat, fish, seafood, cabbage. In case of diabetes, the daily intake of sugars is controlled. Their increase is bad for health.

If you are overweight, watch your caloric intake. Low-fat foods and foods enriched with dietary fiber help reduce body weight. At the same time, losing weight benefits the woman, her endocrine system improves.

Fasting days help stabilize weight. They choose one dietary product and eat it throughout the day. Unloading should be done once a week. A doctor helps you choose products for a one-day mono-diet (especially for diabetics). Usually fruits, vegetables or fermented milk products are used. They eat apples, cucumbers, watermelons, and kefir.

It is prohibited to use:

• chocolate;
• flour;
• sweet;
• fat;
• fast food;
• semi-finished products.

Traditional methods

The resulting manifestation of imbalance is successfully treated with folk remedies. They are prescribed in addition to the main therapy.

Flax-seed

Flax seeds are rich in phytoestrogens. They are used for menopause. You should be treated with flax seeds for a month according to the following scheme:

• Take 2 tablespoons of seeds with a glass of water;
• take the drug twice a day.

After seven days, the hot flashes will subside, nervousness will disappear, and sleep will improve.

Estrogen deficiency can be treated with sage. The plant contains a hormone with estrogen-like effects. Extracts from it are used for infertility, menstruation with lack of ovulation.

A decoction of sage is taken simultaneously with the drugs Duphaston and Utrozhestan. In this case, it is necessary to understand the rules for using medications. All prescriptions are made by the doctor, who also calculates the dosage of the medications.

If estrogen levels begin to fall, a sage infusion is prepared to raise its concentration:

• boil 250 ml of water;
• add a teaspoon of herbs;
• after 15 minutes of infusion, filter;
• drink ¼ cup three times a day before meals. Do not drink the infusion at night.

An overdose of sage leads to poisoning. The permissible limit must be strictly observed. Its extracts are prohibited from being used for high estrogen levels, thyroid diseases, uterine fibroids, allergies and other pathologies. The product is used only as prescribed by a doctor.

Complex herbal medicine

Medicinal herbs are enriched with phytohormones. These substances have the same properties as human hormones, but their effects are much weaker. Unlike medications, they gently normalize hormonal levels without causing side effects.

You can be treated with folk remedies prepared on the basis of peppermint, valerian, linden blossom, lemon balm, strawberry, fennel. These herbs are used for monotherapy or in combination with potent plants: hogweed, red brush, wormwood, sage.

To cure pathology, drugs are used according to a certain pattern. Drug intake is broken down by day of the menstrual cycle as follows:

Treatment lasts for three months. Along with the infusions, selenium and folic acid are taken.

Ayurveda

Disorders that arise in the hormonal system are successfully treated with Ayurveda. The drugs normalize hormone levels and eliminate congestion in the pelvis. Ayurveda effectively fights psychogenic disorders and normalizes the emotional background. Treatment begins after visiting a specialist who is able to select the right Ayurvedic medicines.

Hormonal imbalance is a serious disorder of the body that causes various pathological processes. Uncontrolled treatment leads to serious consequences. You can effectively deal with the problem only if you strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.

The life of a modern woman is not always filled with bright colors, especially at a time when we are talking about possible health problems that negatively affect both the emotional and physical state, as well as the functionality of the reproductive system. A woman’s health depends on many factors, not the least of which is hormonal balance. It is known that mood, sleep, sexual desire, the ability to conceive, give birth and bear a healthy child and other vital functions, without which the female body is not able to function properly, depend on hormonal balance.

Hormones in a woman’s body must be balanced, and any deviation in their quantity can lead to pathological symptoms and the development of hormonal imbalance. Initially, “hormonal imbalance” was attributed to pathologies of the endocrine system, which were manifested by menstruation disorders. However, at the moment, these terms mean a number of disorders against the background of which a large number of diseases develop. According to medical indicators, about 80% of the female population suffers from endocrine disruptions and many of them are unaware of this, attributing their ailments to physical activity or other diseases. What is hormonal imbalance in women, what are the symptoms, signs, what are the consequences of such disorders, how to treat and prevent the development of hormonal disorders? Let's try to figure it out!

What is hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance is a disorder caused by a decrease or increase in hormone production, which leads to changes in the entire body. Unfortunately, hormonal disorders are not uncommon in our time; their sudden or slow changes can cause various disruptions in the female body, which will affect the well-being and functionality of internal organs and systems. The main hormones of the female body are: progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and prolactin. These hormones are produced by the endocrine system and enter the tissues of internal organs through the blood, where they control their functioning. If a hormonal imbalance occurs in a woman’s body for one reason or another, this will affect not only the health of the reproductive system, but also the appearance, well-being and condition of the internal organs.

Several decades ago, it was believed that hormonal imbalances in women were the symptoms and signs of which were reserved for ladies of “Balzac age”, but now hormonal pathologies have become significantly “younger” and are often found in very young girls.

Hormones and their effect on women's health

In order to become more familiar with the term “hormonal imbalance,” you need to know which female hormones are the most significant, what they are responsible for, and how their amount can affect our health. It is important to note that disorders in the female body, as well as symptoms, occur depending on which of the 4 hormones malfunctions.

Testosterone. A male sex hormone that is present in the female body. It is responsible for sexual desire, the function of sweat and sebaceous glands, and kidney function. Testosterone deficiency leads to frigidity in women and menstrual irregularities.

Excessive amounts of it for women cause the development of the body according to the male type.

Progesterone. An important hormone of the reproductive system, responsible for conception and gestation, the menstrual cycle, and preparing the expectant mother’s breasts for lactation. The lack of this hormone causes inflammatory processes in women in the pelvic organs, heavy menstruation, and acne. It is difficult to conceive a child with progesterone deficiency, but if this happens, there is a high risk of miscarriage.

If the amount of progesterone in a woman’s body goes off scale, kidney failure and benign or malignant formations may develop.

Prolactin. The female hormone, responsible for the development of the mammary glands and the production of breast milk after the birth of a child, takes an active part in water-salt metabolism.

A lack of this hormone leads to improper development of the mammary glands, lack of breast milk after the birth of a child, and irregular menstruation.

Estrogen. Responsible for the formation and functionality of the mammary glands, uterus, menstrual cycle, the body’s readiness for conception and gestation, and also prevents the development of atherosclerosis, takes part in the production of phosphorus and calcium.

Estrogen deficiency causes infertility, the development of cervical erosion, osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis. There is a high risk of developing a breast tumor.

Based on the above, we can conclude that each of the hormones takes an active part in the functioning of the whole organism. Therefore, their balance is very important for every woman who wants to have healthy offspring and good health.

The main causes of hormonal imbalance in women

Hormonal imbalance in women is not always pathological in nature. Very often, hormonal imbalance occurs at the physiological level. Such disorders do not require medical intervention, as they return to normal on their own over time. Physiological hormonal imbalances include:

• Puberty.
• Pregnancy and childbirth.
• Menopause.
• Genetic predisposition - primary amenorrhea (complete absence of menstruation).

In cases where endocrine disruption in women is not a physiological phenomenon, it is a pathology. The cause of hormonal imbalance can be the following disorders or diseases:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Frequent viral or infectious diseases
• Thyroid diseases
• Abortion
• Nervous breakdowns

Hormonal imbalance can also be caused by other reasons, which can be determined by the doctor after the results of the examinations.

Clinical signs of hormonal disorders

In order to determine the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women, you need to know their signs, which can appear in the form of:

• Menstrual irregularities
• Difficulty conceiving a child
• Increased irritability
• Sudden change of mood
• Weight gain
• Recurrent or regular headaches
• Chronic fatigue
• Bad dream
• Decreased sex drive
• Hair loss
• Excessive sweating
• Pronounced thinness

In addition to the above symptoms, women with hormonal imbalance are often diagnosed with gynecological diseases, such as cysts of various etiologies and locations, fibroids, mastopathy and other diseases that do not allow a woman to lead a full life. If you experience one or more signs of hormonal imbalance, you do not need to diagnose yourself. It is quite possible that such symptoms are present in other diseases and disorders.

Consequences of hormonal disorders

Hormonal imbalance causes disturbances in the functioning of the whole organism, so if the cause is not recognized in time, there is a high risk of developing complications, such as:

• sexual dysfunction;
• infertility;
• obesity;
• osteoporosis;
• hormone-dependent benign or malignant tumors;
• atherosclerosis with a high risk of stroke or heart attack;
• diabetes;
• gynecological diseases of various origins.

Considering that endocrine disruption is fraught with consequences, treatment should be carried out as soon as possible so as not to trigger the progression of any of the diseases that developed against the background of hormonal imbalance.

How to treat hormonal imbalance?

Before treating hormonal imbalance in women, it is necessary to determine its cause. To do this, the doctor prescribes a number of examinations:

1. General blood analysis.
2. Hormone analysis.
3. Ultrasound of internal organs.
4. Test for STDs.

The results of the examination will allow the doctor to draw up a complete picture of the disease and determine which hormones need to be brought back to normal.

Treatment of hormonal imbalance is aimed at eliminating the very cause that led to hormonal imbalance and restoring stimulation of the production of the desired hormone. Basically, therapeutic therapy consists of taking medications that will normalize hormones; you also need to adhere to the right lifestyle, diet, and follow all the doctor’s recommendations. If treatment is not followed, hormonal imbalance may reappear. Taking medications can take several days, months or years. It all depends on the situation and characteristics of the female body.

Folk remedies for restoring hormonal balance

As an additional therapy to the main treatment, a woman can use traditional medicine, which over the centuries of its existence has collected many recipes and methods for restoring hormonal balance.

Let's look at a few recipes:

Oregano for hormonal imbalance. Promotes the production of hormones, prevents the development of hormonal disorders. To prepare an infusion of oregano you will need: 2 tbsp. l. oregano herbs, pour 0.5 l. boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain and take 100 mil 2 times a day.

Hops infusion. 1 tbsp. l. hops are poured with 0.5 liter of boiling water. Infuse in a thermos, take 50 mil 3 times a day. With the help of this infusion, you can not only prevent the development of hormonal disorders, but also increase the size of the mammary glands.

Flax seeds are a natural source of estrogen. For cooking you will need 1 tbsp. flax seeds + 0.5 l. kefir, natural yogurt or curdled milk. Take half a glass 2 – 3 times a day.

Sage for hormonal imbalance. Allows you to stimulate the production of estrogen. To prepare, you need to brew sage in a thermos and take it from days 6 to 15 of the menstrual cycle.

It is important to note that, despite the safety of traditional medicine, before using any of the recipes, you need to consult a doctor. Some herbs can provoke the development of bleeding, which can be dangerous to a woman’s health.

Prevention of hormonal imbalance

In order to prevent the development of hormonal imbalance, a woman needs to monitor her health, regularly undergo hormone tests, undergo examinations by a gynecologist once every six months, give up bad habits, and also eliminate all factors that can lead to hormonal imbalances.