This article is updated on 04 June 2024
Hormonal imbalances refer to the fluctuations of oestrogen and progesterone levels in your body, resulting in weight gain, acne, mood swings, and irregular periods. Although this can happen to women at any stage of their lives, hormone problems are more common in women of reproductive age, especially those nearing menopause. Some common symptoms include hot flashes or night sweats, vaginal dryness, and changes in the menstrual cycle.
If you notice these drastic changes in your body but are unsure of what’s causing them, you may be experiencing hormonal imbalance. Here are the complete symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women you must watch out for.
Weight Gain
Hormones are the chemical messengers produced by your body’s tissues and glands, including the thyroid gland and pituitary glands. They travel to the different organs in your body via the bloodstream to deliver messages and signals about how your organs should function. As such, they play a part in regulating the processes in your body. Among these different body functions, hormones help regulate metabolism.
When you notice that you’re feeling hungrier than usual and gaining weight faster than normal, your body might be producing insufficient amounts of oestrogen and a hormone called thyroxine. Oestrogen serves to dampen your appetite and regulate metabolism, and thyroxine is a thyroid hormone responsible for digestion and muscle function. Low levels of oestrogen and thyroxine can lead to considerable weight gain.
Irregular Periods
Another sign of hormonal imbalance is having irregular periods. While some women experience regular monthly cycles, others do not. Although it’s normal to experience irregularity occasionally, it shouldn’t be too extreme. If the gap between your period lasts for several months, it could be caused by hormonal changes or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
This usually happens for women between the ages of 40 and 50 who are entering the menopausal stages of their lives, and it’s normal. However, just to be sure, it’s recommended that you visit a good gynaecologist in Singapore to rule out health conditions like PCOS. A blood test can help determine if PCOS or other conditions are affecting your hormone levels.
Acne
Shifts in your body’s hormones can also lead to persistent acne. More specifically, when your body produces high androgen hormones like testosterone, it can trigger breakouts and even worsen existing skin concerns.
Fatigue
Do you ever feel like you’re tired constantly? Extreme fatigue is a sign of decreased thyroid hormones, causing you to feel more groggy and less energised. In addition, this hormonal imbalance can also lead to stress and sleep problems.
Mood Swings
Besides lack of energy, hormonal imbalances include influences on your mood. Changes in levels of oestrogen can hinder the production of happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin, causing you to feel sadder and more irritable. This usually happens when a woman’s body undergoes major changes such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Vaginal Dryness
As women age, the shifts in hormone production cause the walls of the vagina to thin. When this happens, your body produces fewer cells to secrete moisture within the sex organ. As a result, you will experience vaginal dryness, which is a common menopause symptom.
Among the countless hormones that influence bodily function, oestrogen plays a major role in maintaining your vagina’s elasticity, thickness, and lubrication. For this reason, low levels of this hormone can cause inflammation, thinning, and drying of the vaginal walls. This condition is also known as vaginal atrophy.
One way to treat vaginal dryness is medication. The gynaecologist can prescribe topical oestrogen therapy to replace the lost oestrogen hormones in your body and relieve the symptoms. Alternatively, you can replenish oestrogen levels in your bloodstream by taking contraceptive pills.
Decreased Sex Drive
Similarly, variations in your hormones can affect your sexual drive. For instance, lower oestrogen levels reduce lubrication and therefore decrease sexual desire. At the same time, an increase in progesterone can also impact your arousal.
Hair Loss
Decreased oestrogen and progesterone levels can make hair thinner and more brittle, resulting in drastic hair loss. In addition, the dips in your hormones can also lead to shrinking hair follicles, causing hairs to fall out and stop growing as they normally would. Although this usually happens during menopause, having thyroid issues can also trigger hair loss.
Thyroid hormones are responsible for developing new strands and maintaining consistent hair growth and supply. If the thyroid isn’t working properly, it may result in hair loss. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) also plays a role in hair growth. Fortunately, hormonal hair loss is completely reversible.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that these hormonal changes can impact how you look, feel, and live your life. But, regardless of its effect on your body, there is always a solution to overcome hormonal imbalances. All you have to do is visit a gynaecologist in Singapore and take a hormone imbalance test. Once your gynaecologist pinpoints what causes hormonal imbalance, he can propose possible treatments to help you live a happier and more balanced life.
Next Steps to Take
If you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance, you must consult with your gynaecologist. They can perform the tests needed to identify the cause so that they can give you the appropriate treatment plan, such as advice on adjusting your diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
In some cases, hormone replacement therapy or medications may be recommended to you. Remember, everyone’s experience is unique, so work closely with your doctor to find the best solution for you.
