Hormones are chemicals that regulates several processes in the body. They are produced in the
endocrine glands and carry messages to the organs, skin and muscles of the body through the blood.
Hormones are crucial for life and health and over 50 hormones have been identified. The body
processes that are regulated by hormones are homeostasis, metabolism, reproduction, mood, growth
and development.
Hormonal imbalance is a condition in which there is either too much or too little of a certain hormone in
the body. Hence, a disruption in the various body functions.
Some of the causes are puberty, pregnancy,
menopause, hormone therapy, medications, chemotherapy, tumors, eating disorders, stress,
autoimmune diseases, injury or trauma.
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance are non-specific. This is because, some of these symptoms may
also reflect in other chronic conditions. Some general symptoms are weight gain, unexplained weight
loss, muscle weakness, muscle aches, fatigue, stiffness of joints, increased / decreased heart rate,
sweating, increased sensitivity, decreased sex drive, constipation, anxiety, blurred vision, frequent
urination, increased thirst/ hunger, depression, infertility, dry skin.
Females might show symptoms such as irregular periods, hyperpigmentation, hot flashes, night sweats,
vaginal dryness, pain during sex, acne and hirsutism. Whereas, males show symptoms such as the
development of breast tissue, erectile dysfunction, decrease in beard growth and body hair growth, loss
of muscle mass, loss of bone mass, hot flashes and difficulty in concentration.
The major tests that are carried out for the diagnosis of hormonal imbalance are Hormonal Profile Tests,
Cortisol test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), Thyroid Function Tests and Seminal Fluid Analysis.
Visit MedBioTechLab for accurate hormone profile tests and early detection of hormonal imbalance.
References:
my.clevelandclinic.org
www.healthline.com
