Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances are common conditions involving an excess or deficiency of one or more hormones within the body, which control specific functions and help maintain overall health. Imbalances may develop as a result of stress, poor diet, genetic or environmental factors, lack of sleep, or from taking birth control pills or other hormone therapies. If an imbalance occurs, patients may experience symptoms such as depression, fatigue, allergies, anxiety, and urinary tract infections, although symptoms vary greatly depending on which hormones are affected.

One of the most well-known symptom of male-specific hormone imbalance is low testosterone, which can lead to depression, fatigue, low sex drive, loss of muscle mass and general lack of well-being. Women experiencing perimenopause, a decline of reproductive hormones, or menopause, the end of fertility, often experience the physiological effects of fluctuating hormone levels, including weight gain, anxiety, vaginal dryness, mood swings, unclear thinking, breast changes, reduction in libido, insomnia, headaches, and hot flashes.

Additional Expert Sources:
Medline Plus
Women in Balance Institute