6 Signs of a Hormone Imbalance

Menopause is perhaps the highest-profile hormone imbalance condition, affecting women at the end of their reproductive lives, as estrogen levels fall when the ovaries slow their production. Though men don’t have a similar life event, some may suffer disproportionately as testosterone declines as they get older.

Though the hormones in question are different, some of the signs and symptoms of the resulting hormone imbalances are similar in both sexes. When the symptoms are significant enough that they negatively affect the quality of your life, visiting a hormone replacement specialist like Dr. Kochert Pain and Health can help you sidestep this natural drawback of aging.

Here are 6 common signs that your hormones may be out of balance.

1. Weight changes

Both women and men can experience changes to their weight as their primary sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone respectively, become more scarce. Since hormones regulate metabolism and appetite, you can often feel imbalances around your waistline. Usually, it’s harder to keep pounds off as you get older, even when diet and activity remain constant.

There are some situations where weight loss may occur without an obvious reason. One possible hormonal cause is your body’s resistance to the effects of insulin, a hormone that’s responsible for helping your body use blood sugar. Weight loss can be a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes.

2. Falling libido

Loss of interest in sex may be due to other menopausal changes in some women, but for both women and men, hormone imbalances can lower the instinctive desire for sex, called libido. This can be a slow change over time or a sudden occurrence, as though your body crosses a threshold.

Hormone therapy or other treatments, such as the O-Shot® and P-Shot®, can help restore sexual health and desire. 

3. Loss of bone mass

While osteoporosis is often associated with women after menopause, low levels of testosterone can also affect bones in men. The internal structure of bones is porous, like that of sponge toffee, and the size of the voids within bones get larger with osteoporosis, causing brittleness and loss of mass. Since men generally start with more bone mass, the problem isn’t as obvious as it is in women, but some men may have issues.

4. Mood changes

Hormone imbalances affect people mentally and emotionally. You may be more easily irritated. Anxiety attacks might be more frequent or more intense. It can be easier to fall into depression as well.

Mental acuity can be another sign of unbalanced hormones. Concentrating on a task may take more effort, as can your organizational ability. Overall, you could feel that your mind is foggy and not as sharp as it once was.

5. Fatigue

While chronic fatigue can be a symptom of many conditions, hormone imbalance is often a direct contributor, as well as being a factor in other conditions that carry fatigue as a side effect.

6. Sleep disruptions

Fatigue is often a given in certain situations, such as when you don’t sleep well. And hormone imbalances can create changes in sleep cycles, making it harder to get refreshing sleep. Night sweats are a common menopausal condition that can make restful sleep challenging. 

When hormonal imbalances have a negative impact on your life, contact us at Dr. Kochert Pain and Health by phone or online. At our office in Lafayette, Indiana, Dr. Carolyn Kochert and our team can investigate your symptoms and devise a treatment plan that’s right for you. Better living is just around the corner. Book your consultation today.