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Because of their essential role in the body, even slight hormonal imbalances can cause side effects throughout the body. Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, delivering messages that tell the organs what to do and when to do it. Hormones are essential for regulating most major bodily processes, so a hormonal imbalance can affect many bodily functions. Hormones help to regulate:metabolismblood sugargrowthblood pressurereproductive cycles and sexual functiongeneral growth and developmentmood and stress levels Imbalances in insulin, steroids, growth hormones, and adrenaline can affect males and females alike. Females may also experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, while males are more likely to experience imbalances in testosterone levels. Learn more about a hormone imbalance here. Symptoms The symptoms of a hormonal imbalance can vary according to which gland is affected and whether the person is male or female. Symptoms in females In women, the symptoms more frequently include:mood swingsconstipation or diarrheairregular menstrual cycleinfertilitypain in the abdomen or the back during menstruationlow sex driveinsomniaunexplained weight gain or weight lossbrittle boneshirsutism, or excessive hair growth rashes on the skin Symptoms in males When a male has low testosterone levels, their symptoms will typically include:decrease in sex driveerectile dysfunction (ED)loss of muscle massthinning hair and reduced hair growthtenderness in the area of the chest Acne Acne can occur due to the overproduction of oil in the skin’s sebaceous glands. This excess oil can clog pores and attract bacteria that further inflame the skin. The hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can affect the sebaceous glands in a person’s skin. Some ways these hormones can influence acne include:Testosterone helps to regulate sebum (oil) production. Excess amounts can potentially block pores, resulting in acne. Increasing progesterone levels likely play a role in pregnancy-related acne, although doctors are not sure exactly how. Women can experience post-menopausal acne, which may be due to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. In addition, females who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to experience severe and persistent acne. Doctors think increased exposure to androgen hormones, such as testosterone, and resistance to insulin hormones may increase acne risks. Learn more about hormonal acne here. Weight gain Hormone imbalances can affect several processes in the body that lead to weight gain. Some examples include:Thyroid hormones act to regulate the body’s metabolism or the rate it burns energy. Too few thyroid hormones can slow metabolism and result in weight gain. Decreasing levels of estrogen can lead to weight gain in menopause. Hormonal imbalances due to PCOS can result in weight gain. More than 80% of people with Cushing’s disease report weight gain as a symptom. This disorder causes the body to produce excess amounts of cortisol. Ideally, treating the underlying condition can help reduce weight gain related to hormonal imbalance. Learn more about estrogen and weight gain here. Pregnancy Pregnancy results in changing hormone levels to nourish a growing fetus. These include changing levels of the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. While the hormone levels may be different, they are not necessarily unbalanced during pregnancy. However, some hormones that increase during pregnancy can affect how a woman’s body uses insulin. This can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes during pregnancy. Learn more about gestational diabetes here. Hair loss Male pattern hair loss has links to reduced androgen hormones, such as testosterone. For this reason, doctors also call male pattern hair loss androgenetic alopecia. This condition causes hair loss in the front and crown of the head. However, not all males experience androgenetic alopecia even though their hormone levels change as they age. Doctors interpret this to mean that some men are genetically predisposed to hair loss. Learn about female pattern hair loss here. Tests Testing for hormonal imbalances depends largely on what condition your doctor may think is causing your condition. Some of the tests a doctor may use include:Blood testing: Doctors can test for certain hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid hormone. Imaging: Doctors imaging studies, such as ultrasound, X-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests to identify cysts or tumors that could cause the body to produce excess amounts of hormones. Urine testing: Doctors use urine tests to measure levels of hormones related specifically to the menstrual cycle, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Some at-home testing kit companies may offer products that allow a person to take a test at home. These could include urine or blood tests. A person should ensure the company is reputable and uses certified laboratories to evaluate testing samples. Learn about taking a hormone test at home. Causes Everyone will experience natural periods of hormonal imbalance or fluctuations at particular points in their lives. But hormonal imbalances can also occur when the endocrine glands are not functioning properly. Endocrine glands are specialized cells that produce, store, and release hormones into the blood. There are several endocrine glands located throughout the body that control different organs, including the:adrenal glandsgonads (testis and ovaries)pineal glandpituitary glandhypothalamus glandthyroid and parathyroid glandspancreatic islets Several medical conditions can impact the endocrine glands. Certain lifestyle habits and environmental factors can also play a role in hormonal imbalances.Learn more about endocrine disorders here. Medical conditions Medical conditions that can affect hormone production may but are not limited to:diabetes, in which the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulinhyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which are the overactivity and underactivity of the thyroid glandAddison’s disease, in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormonesCushing’s syndrome, in which the adrenal glands produce too many corticosteroidsacromegaly, which is the overproduction of growth hormoneshyperglycemia, which is the overproduction of glucagonhypoglycemia, which is when the body produces more insulin than there is glucose in the bloodsolitary thyroid nodulespituitary tumorsbenign tumors and cysts (fluid-filled sacks) that affect the endocrine glandscongenital adrenal hyperplasia (low levels of cortisol)cancers that involve endocrine glandschemotherapy and radiation therapyiodine deficiency (goiters)hereditary pancreatitisTurner syndrome, in which females are born with only one functioning X chromosomePrader-Willi syndromeanorexiapituitary gland injury with bleeding and congenital genetic abnormalities in a pregnant person and their fetus Additional causes Other causes of hormonal imbalance may include:chronic stresspoor diet and nutritionhaving overweighthormonal replacement or birth control medicationsmisuse of anabolic steroid medicationsexposure to toxins, pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides Females naturally experience several periods of hormonal imbalance throughout their lifetime, including:pubertymenstruationpregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeedingperimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause Females are likely to develop different hormonal imbalance disorders than males because they have different endocrine organs and cycles. Causes of hormonal imbalance in women include:polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)hormone replacement or birth control medicationsprimary ovarian insufficiency (POI)ovarian cancer Males also experience natural periods of hormonal imbalance during their lifetime, including:pubertyagingstress Men may develop different hormonal imbalances than women because they have different endocrine organs and cycles. Medical conditions causing hormonal imbalances in men include, but are not limited to:congenital problems or other underlying medical conditionsprostate cancer, which develops with the aid of androgens or male sex hormoneshypogonadism, which is the production of testosteronetesticular injuryradiation or chemotherapyhormone disorders, such as a pituitary tumordiseases, such as type 2 diabetes, HIV, and AIDSgenetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, or Kallmann syndrome Learn how to balance hormones here. How to fix a hormonal imbalance Treatment for hormonal imbalances may vary depending on the cause. Every person may require different types of treatment for hormonal imbalances. Treatments for females Treatment options for females with hormone imbalances include:Hormone or birth control. For those who are not trying to get pregnant, medications containing forms of estrogen and progesterone can help regulate irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms. Birth control is available as a pill, ring, patch, shot, or intrauterine device (IUD).Vaginal estrogen. People experiencing vaginal dryness associated with changes in estrogen levels can apply creams containing estrogen directly to vaginal tissues to reduce symptoms. They can also use estrogen tablets and rings to relieve vaginal dryness.Hormone replacement medications. Medications are available to temporarily reduce severe symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes or night sweats.Eflornithine (Vaniqa). This prescription cream may slow excessive facial hair growth in women.Anti-androgen medications. Medications that block the predominately male-sex hormone androgen can help limit severe acne and excessive hair growth or loss.Clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara). These medications help stimulate ovulation in people with PCOS who are trying to become pregnant. Doctors may also give those with PCOS and infertility injections of gonadotropins to help increase the chances of pregnancy.Assisted reproductive technology. In vitro fertilization (IVF) may be used to help those with PCOS complications get pregnant. Treatments for males Treatment options for males with hormonal imbalances include:Testosterone medications. Gels and patches containing testosterone can help reduce symptoms of hypogonadism and other conditions that cause low testosterone levels, such as delayed or stunted puberty. Other treatments Treatment options for hormonal imbalances include:Metformin. A medication for PCOS and diabetes, metformin can help lower both androgens and blood sugar levels.Levothyroxine. Medications containing levothyroxine, such as Synthroid and Levothroid, can help improve symptoms of hypothyroidism.RECALL OF METFORMIN EXTENDED RELEASE Metformin extended-release tablets should be taken with care and under the advice of a doctor. In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that some makers of metformin extended-release remove some of their tablets from the U.S. market. Further, in June 2021, Viona Pharmaceuticals, a maker of extended-release Metformin pulled their tablets from pharmacy shelves. Each concern was because an unacceptable level of a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) was found in some extended-release Metformin tablets. If you currently take this drug, call your healthcare provider. They will advise whether you should continue to take your medication or if you need a new prescription. Natural remedies People have used natural supplements to treat hormonal imbalances for thousands of years. However, clinical studies have not proven that any natural remedies can treat hormonal imbalances and their causes. Supplements Natural supplements commonly used to reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:black cohosh, dong quai, red clover, and evening primrose oil for hot flashes caused by menopauseginseng for irritability, anxiousness, and sleep disturbances caused by menopauseginseng, and maca for ED Before taking any natural or herbal treatment, a person should check with their doctor to ensure safety and avoid interaction side effects when taking with other medications. Lifestyle changes Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the likelihood and symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:maintaining a moderate body weighteating a nutritious and balanced dietexercising regularlypracticing good personal hygiene, focusing on washing areas with a lot of natural oils, such as the face, neck, back, and chestusing OTC acne washes, rinses, and medicated creams or gels for minor to moderate acneavoiding triggers that cause hot flashes, such as warm weather and spicy, rich, or hot foods and drinksreducing and managing stresspracticing yoga, meditation, or guided visualizationlimiting sugary foods and refined carbohydratesavoiding packaged foodsreplacing older non-stick pans with ceramic pansusing glass containers to store and heat foods and drinksrestricting the use of cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals, such as bleachbuying fruits and vegetables free from pesticides or ripening chemicalsavoiding microwaving foods and drinks in plastic containers Outlook Most people will experience at least one or two periods of hormonal imbalance during their lifetime. Hormonal imbalances are more common during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and aging. But some people experience continual, irregular hormonal imbalances. Medical conditions that affect or involve the endocrine system or glands can lead to a hormone imbalance. However, external factors, such as stress or hormone medications, can also be a cause. A person should speak to a doctor about long-term unexplained symptoms, especially those that cause pain, discomfort, or interfere with everyday activities. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on November 14, 2021Men's HealthMenopauseBiology / BiochemistryWomen's Health / Gynecology 18 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. 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Quality of life in Cushing's disease: A long term issue?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003426618300325?casa_token=rbBE81U4Tz0AAAAA:tu2zViJxW6M6wFgWwI2pZWy7UoiBm8kDmySqcGHSFcYGkRkcIrzYC-NUjoKUPZU7s424qjou2AWhat is the endocrine system? (n.d.).https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/what-endocrine-systemYu, J. (2014). Endocrine disorders and the neurologic manifestations.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4316409/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Erica Ramirez, PA-C — By Jennifer Huizen — Updated on August 22, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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