Women's Wellness Alert: 13 Most Common Signs of Hormone Imbalance

WOMEN'S HEALTH & WELLNESS

Elite Health HRT

Published: July 23, 2024

Est. Reading Time: 6 Minutes

Hormone imbalance can affect women in any stage of adulthood. To a degree, it’s ‘natural’ – at least in the sense that postpartum and menopause are phases of life where women’s hormones are expected to fluctuate. However, there are a wide array of unnatural causes contributing to widespread symptoms in women across the USA. This includes exposure to certain chemicals, which is explored in articles like, “Be on the Lookout: 9 Products to Avoid to Minimize Hormone Disruption”.

Before we examine the various symptoms of hormone imbalance in women, let’s begin with three quick takeaways:

Hormone imbalance can present a wide variety of different symptoms in women (regardless of age)
Symptoms can vary on an individual basis and be different for everyone
Even if symptoms are from so-called natural causes, it doesn’t mean you have to power through it!

Examining Hormone Imbalance in Women: What We'll Cover in This Article

For this article, we’ve divided the 13 most common symptoms into two categories – physiological (physical) and psychological (mental). If you’ve been experiencing one or more of these for an extended period of time, it’s worth consulting with a medical professional and at least having your hormone levels checked through comprehensive bloodwork.

With that, let’s begin reviewing the 8 most common physiological symptoms.

8 Most Common Physiological Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

As we examine physical and mental symptoms of hormone imbalance, we’ll consistently refer to hormones like estrogen and testosterone. We expand on this in articles like “What is the Endocrine System (And Why Care)?” and “Do Women Need Testosterone for Optimal Health?“

1. Irregular Menstrual Cycles

An imbalance in one or more hormones can disrupt the delicate balance of a monthly cycle. Here’s a few of the most common examples:

Estrogen Imbalance: Low estrogen levels can cause missed periods or infrequent cycles, while high estrogen levels can lead to heavy bleeding and prolonged periods.
Progesterone Deficiency: Low progesterone can result in irregular cycles and spotting between periods. It can also cause luteal phase defects, where the second half of the cycle is shorter than normal, impacting fertility.

Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are associated with high levels of androgens (such as testosterone) in the body. Elevated testosterone levels can disrupt ovulation and lead to irregular cycles. If testosterone is too low, it can lead to imbalance of other hormones that are more directly responsible for regulating the cycle.

2. Unexplained Weight Gain

Weight gain (particularly around the stomach area) can result from imbalances of hormones like cortisol, insulin, and testosterone. Here’s how they’re related:

Cortisol: Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, which can lead to accumulation of fat around the belly. This is due to the presence of extra cortisol receptors in the abdomen – which makes this area more prone to increased fat storage. Cortisol also increases cravings for high-calorie foods which further accelerates weight gain.
Insulin: If insulin levels are disrupted, it’s more difficult for your body to regulate blood sugar. As the body becomes ‘insulin resistant’, it begins to store glucose in the form of fat. And if cortisol levels are already elevated, the extra fat will tend to concentrate in the adbominal region
Testosterone: When testosterone is low, it’s difficult to build muscle, burn fat, and manage stress. This can perpetuate elevated cortisol levels and ultimately lead to insulin resistance, both of which present a variety of symptoms.

At our clinic, our patients can use our specialized InBody scale – which measures far more than just body weight. With advanced sensors, it’s able to measure factors like muscle mass and visceral fat (which is fat specifically around the torso).

As we help our patients regulate their hormones, the vast majority see improvements in losing weight and building muscle.

3. Fatigue & Lack of Energy

Persistent fatigue and low energy levels can stem from imbalances in levels of thyroid hormones, cortisol, and testosterone. Here’s how these hormones are connected:

Thyroid Hormones: Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism. When thyroid hormone levels are low (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows down. This results in chronic fatigue and sluggishness.
Cortisol: If you’ve been experiencing chronic stress, cortisol levels will spike for a period of time. Eventually, your adrenal glands (which produce cortisol), can be depleted – leading to insufficient cortisol production. When this occurs, you may feel constantly tired, regardless of how much rest you get.
Testosterone: Testosterone is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and energy. When levels are low – it can cause muscle weakness, reduced motivation, and a pervasive sense of tiredness.

4. Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep

Did you know that the body heavily relies on hormones to regulate sleep? For women, estrogen and progesterone are particularly important. Here’s why:

Estrogen: Low estrogen levels, particularly during menopause, can cause unpleasant hot flashes and night sweats, which then disrupt sleep. It’s also worth noting that estrogen regulates a neurotransmitter called serotonin. If serotonin levels are affected, it’s harder to fall asleep (and stay asleep).
Progesterone: When progesterone is in a proper balance, it can have a calming effect on the brain and promote restful sleep. If it’s too low, women are more likely to experience anxiety and other sleep disturbances.
Cortisol: Once again, cortisol comes into the picture. In the context of sleep, cortisol is important for regulating the daily ‘sleep-wake’ cycle (otherwise known as your circadian rhythm). If cortisol is high, it can be quite difficult to fall asleep

Balancing these hormones can improve your sleep quality, helping you wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

5. Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats are telltale signs of hormonal imbalance, especially during menopause. These symptoms are primarily linked to fluctuations in estrogen levels. Here’s how they work:

Estrogen: During menopause, declining estrogen levels make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature. The decline of estrogen directly affects the hypothalamus, which is a part of your brain that acts as the ‘body’s thermostat’. When estrogen levels drop, the hypothalamus can misinterpret the body’s temperature and trigger hot flashes.
Progesterone: Lower levels of progesterone can also contribute to night sweats and overall discomfort during sleep. When progesterone levels drop, it can cause disturbances that result in sweating at night.

For women experiencing these symptoms during menopause, HRT can be an effective option to alleviate sleep disturbances. Restoring hormones to their proper levels can enable your body to regulate – resulting in much more restful sleep.

6. Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of hormonal imbalance that can affect women of all ages, not just those experiencing menopause. This discomfort can significantly impact quality of life, affecting both daily activities and intimate relationships. Here’s how hormone imbalance can contribute to this condition:

Estrogen: Estrogen is crucial for maintaining the health and lubrication of vaginal tissues. Fluctuations in estrogen levels – whether due to menopause, postpartum changes, or other hormonal changes – can lead to thinning and drying of the vaginal walls. This reduction in natural lubrication is what then causes irritation, itching sensations, and/or pain during intercourse.
Progesterone: While estrogen is the primary hormone involved, low levels of progesterone can also contribute to vaginal dryness. Progesterone helps maintain the structural integrity of vaginal tissues, and its decline can exacerbate symptoms of dryness and discomfort.
Testosterone: Although often associated with male physiology, testosterone also plays a role in female sexual health. Low testosterone levels can lead to reduced libido (as we’ll refer to later), and may also contribute to vaginal dryness by affecting tissue health and lubrication.

Aside from menopause, other causes of hormone imbalance include contraceptives, stress, and certain medications – which impacts women in their 20s and 30s as well.

7. Hair Loss or Thinning Hair

No matter the age, hair loss or thinning hair can be a distressing symptom of hormonal imbalance. Here’s how key hormones are involved:

Estrogen: Estrogen helps maintain hair growth by keeping hair follicles in the growth phase. When estrogen levels drop, such as during menopause or postpartum, it can lead to increased hair shedding and slower growth.
Progesterone: Progesterone supports the hair growth cycle. Low levels of progesterone can disrupt this cycle, leading to hair thinning and loss.
Testosterone: In women, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle. Elevated levels of testosterone or increased sensitivity to DHT can cause hair thinning and loss, a condition often seen in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Other factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to hair loss. Addressing the hormonal imbalances through medical treatment can help restore hair health.

8. Oily Skin & Acne Breakouts

For women experiencing unexpected breakouts and or noticing more oily skin, it could be due to hormone imbalance. Here’s a few examples:

Estrogen: Helps keep your skin hydrated and elastic, so when levels drop, it can result in dryness and wrinkles.
Progesterone: Influences oil production. Fluctuations can make your skin oilier, leading to more breakouts.
Testosterone: When elevated due to conditions like PCOS, it can increase sebum production (which contributes to oily skin acne)

Stress and life stages, such as puberty, pregnancy, and postpartum, can also cause significant hormonal changes that affect your skin. Balancing these hormones through lifestyle interventions and targeted treatments can significantly improve your skin health, reducing acne and enhancing skin texture and tone.

Struggling with Symptoms?

If any of these signs sound familiar, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may offer relief. You can schedule a free in-person consultation with our lead nurse practitioner to discuss your symptoms and potential treatment options. Learn more and book your consult with the link below

Obligation-free consult with nurse practitioner (15 mins)

5 Most Common Psychological Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances don’t just affect physical health. They can also have a profound impact on mental health and sense well-being. This is because the brain contains high concentrations of hormone receptors that rely on balanced hormones to regulate factors from cognitive function to mood.

As women experience hormonal changes during phases like puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause – the brain’s ‘wiring’ can change as well. In turn, this can lead to impacts on mental health and cognitive function.

1. Difficulty Concentrating ('Brain Fog')

Women navigating menopause often report what can only be described as ‘brain fog’. This can make it hard to focus or recall certain things from memory. These symptoms are not singular to women during menopause and can also surface in younger years.

Here’s how hormone imbalance can contribute to this:

Estrogen: The brain relies on estrogen to regulate various neurotransmitters, which are required for optimal cognitive processing. For example, if estrogen is low, the body will struggle to produce a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine – which plays a large role in functions like learning and memory.
Testosterone: Often associated with physical health, testosterone also supports mental clarity and focus. Low levels of testosterone can lead to reduced cognitive function and a foggy mind.
Cortisol: While cortisol is often labeled as the stress hormone, it plays a role in regulating attention and energy levels. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can impair cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate and think clearly.

For more information on how the female brain changes in various phases of life, it’s worth listening to Lisa Mosconi’s guest appearance on Rich Roll’s podcast. In the discussion, they review how brain scans show different levels of activity after events like childbirth and menopause (which is largely caused by shifts in hormone levels).

Credit: Lisa Mosconi, PHD

2. Anxiety & Depression

If you feel anxious or depressed on a consistent basis, an underlying hormone imbalance might be the real reason why. While this is a nuanced topic since you have to consider factors like life experience, stress, and environment – it’s important to consider the impact hormones have on mental health. Let’s review a few examples.

Estrogen: Influences serotonin production, promoting mood stability. Low levels (especially during menopause) can decrease serotonin, which can lead to a sense of sadness, anxiety, and depression.
Progesterone: Low levels of progesterone can cause anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. This is because it interacts with GABA receptors, which provides a calming effect.
Cortisol: When cortisol levels are chronically elevated or depleted, it can contribute to anxiety and depression. Imbalanced cortisol disrupts other hormones, worsening mental health.

3. Decreased Motivation

A sustained lack of motivation can be an indicator of elevated cortisol and other hormone imbalances. Here’s a few examples that are less well-known:

Estrogen: Estrogen supports the brain’s dopamine system, which facilitates a sense of motivation and reward. Low estrogen levels can disrupt dopamine regulation, thus resulting in decreased motivation and enthusiasm.
Testosterone: In women, testosterone is very important for maintaining energy and focus. When it’s low, it can reduce your sense of motivation and drive.

We discuss this further in the article, “Do Women Really Need Testosterone for Optimal Health?”

4. Mood Swings & Irritability

When hormones are balanced, it’s much easier to maintain a stabilized mood and stay resilient to stress. To no surprise, the opposite is true when experiencing hormone imbalances.

Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause mood instability. For example, these hormones drop dramatically after childbirth – which can contribute to irritability and a variety of other symptoms during postpartum.

The same is generally true after menopause, as the ovaries production of estrogen and progesterone sharply declines.

5. Low Libido

Hormonal imbalances can significantly impact sexual desire and arousal in women, leading to a reduced libido. Here’s how key hormones factor in:

Estrogen: Estrogen plays a crucial role in sexual desire and arousal. Low levels of estrogen, particularly during menopause or due to other hormonal imbalances, can lead to decreased libido, making sexual activity less desirable.
Testosterone: Although often associated with men, testosterone is also important for female sexual health. Low levels of testosterone can result in reduced sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction.
Progesterone: Progesterone helps regulate mood and has a calming effect. Low levels can contribute to anxiety and mood swings, which can negatively impact sexual desire.

Treating Hormone Imbalance with Hormone Replacement Therapy

At Elite Health HRT, we specialize in helping women balance their hormones and unlock a higher quality of life. If you’re experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed above, you can book a free consultation with our nurse practitioner at our clinic in Roswell, GA.

For new patients, the journey starts with 15-30 minute appointment to discuss your symptoms. During your first visit, we’ll also collect a few blood samples for comprehensive testing. On your follow-up visit, our NP will review your lab results with you and share recommendations on treatment if you’re a candidate for HRT.

We only charge $125-$150 for initial labs (compared to $500 or more for most clinics in Atlanta) and there’s no obligation to start therapy after your follow-up appointment. If you’d like to schedule a time, simply use the link below.

In-person consult with our lead nurse practitioner (15 mins)

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Women's Wellness Alert: 13 Most Common Signs of Hormone Imbalance

Examining Hormone Imbalance in Women: What We'll Cover in This Article

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