What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream and tell your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues what to do and when to do it. They’re absolutely essential for your health and survival.
So far, scientists have identified more than 50 different hormones in the human body. Together with the glands and tissues that produce and release them, hormones make up your endocrine system. This system plays a huge role in keeping your body balanced and functioning properly. Hormones regulate:
- Metabolism (how your body turns food into energy)
- Homeostasis (your body’s internal balance)
- Growth and development
- Sexual function and reproduction
- Sleep and wake cycles
- Mood and emotional health
What Is a Hormonal Imbalance?
A hormonal imbalance happens when your body has either too much or too little of one or more hormones. Because hormones are so powerful, even a slight shift can affect your body in big ways.
Some imbalances are temporary and may fix themselves. Others can be long-term (chronic) and may need treatment to protect your health or quality of life.
Conditions Linked to Hormonal Imbalances
There are many health conditions tied to hormone issues. Here are some of the most common:
- Irregular menstruation (periods): Hormonal conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or amenorrhea (missed periods) can disrupt the menstrual cycle.
- Infertility: Imbalances are a leading cause of infertility in women (such as with PCOS or anovulation), and men can also experience fertility issues due to low testosterone (hypogonadism).
- Acne: Hormones—especially during puberty—can trigger oil glands and lead to clogged pores.
- Hormonal acne (adult acne): Often linked to pregnancy, menopause, or testosterone therapy, when hormonal changes increase skin oil production.
- Diabetes: The most common hormone-related condition in the U.S. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the body can’t use it properly. This includes Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
- Thyroid disease: Both hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (too much) affect metabolism and overall health.
- Obesity: Hormones like cortisol and thyroid hormones influence how your body stores fat and signals hunger. Imbalances can contribute to weight gain.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances
Because you have more than 50 hormones, symptoms vary widely depending on which ones are off balance. These symptoms can overlap with other health conditions, so it’s always important to check with your healthcare provider if you notice changes.
- Metabolism-related symptoms:
- Slow or rapid heartbeat
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Fatigue
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Numbness or tingling in your hands
- High cholesterol levels
- Depression or anxiety
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Dry, coarse skin and hair or thin, moist skin
- Irregular fat distribution
- Dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans)
- Skin tags
- Extreme thirst and frequent urination
- Female sex hormone imbalance symptoms:
- Acne (face, chest, back)
- Hair loss
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Excess body hair (hirsutism)
- Hot flashes
- Infertility
- Vaginal dryness or atrophy
- Low sex drive
- Male sex hormone imbalance symptoms:
- Hair loss or reduced body hair
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Infertility
- Low sex drive
- Loss of muscle mass
Can Hormone Imbalances Affect Weight?
Yes. Certain hormonal conditions can directly contribute to weight gain:
- Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone slows metabolism, often leading to weight gain.
- Cushing’s syndrome: Too much cortisol can cause fat to build up in the face (“moon face”), neck (“buffalo hump”), belly, and chest.
- Menopause: Metabolism naturally slows, making weight gain common.
Of course, lifestyle factors and other health issues can also play a role.
Can Hormone Imbalances Cause Anxiety?
Absolutely. Hormones don’t just affect your body; they influence your mood and mental health, too.
- Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone speeds up your metabolism and can cause anxiety, nervousness, and irritability.
- Cushing’s syndrome: Excess cortisol sometimes leads to anxiety, depression, or irritability.
- Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency: Linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances?
Your hormone levels naturally rise and fall throughout life—and even throughout the day. Big hormonal shifts are normal during:
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
But outside of these times, several factors can trigger imbalances:
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Steroid use
These are often temporary. But some conditions can cause long-term imbalances, including:
- Tumors or growths (like adenomas or thyroid nodules) that disrupt hormone production
- Damage or injury to endocrine glands (from surgery, infections, radiation, or trauma)
- Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease, Type 1 diabetes, and Addison’s disease
Diagnosing Hormonal Imbalances
Doctors usually start with blood tests to measure hormone levels. Since hormones can fluctuate during the day, additional tests (like glucose or insulin tolerance tests) may be needed.
Your medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam all help guide the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on whether hormone levels are too high or too low:
Low hormone levels: Replaced with hormone therapy (like thyroid pills for hypothyroidism or injections for growth hormone deficiency).
High hormone levels: Options include medication, surgery, radiation, or a combination. For example, a prolactinoma (benign tumor causing excess prolactin) may be treated with medication or removed surgically.
Can You Fix Hormonal Imbalance Naturally?
Some conditions—like diabetes or thyroid disease—require medical treatment. But alongside medical care, lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in supporting hormone health:
- Eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet
- Managing stress effectively
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough quality sleep
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying on top of chronic health conditions
Who Treats Hormonal Imbalances?
Your primary care doctor can diagnose and manage many imbalances. But for complex cases, you may need an endocrinologist, a specialist in hormone health. They can develop personalized treatment plans and prescribe the right medication if needed.
Can Hormonal Imbalances Be Prevented?
Not all of them—but you can lower your risk and keep your hormones as balanced as possible by focusing on overall wellness:
- Eat a nourishing, balanced diet
- Stay physically active
- Manage your stress levels
- Prioritize good sleep
- Keep a healthy weight
- Quit smoking, if you smoke