Hormonal imbalance in women occurs when there is too much or too little of the female sex hormones in the bloodstream. Hormones are a natural substance produced in the body to help relay messages between cells and organs and affect many bodily functions.
The two main female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Females also produce and need a small amount of testosterone.
Estrogen is the major female hormone. It is primarily produced by the ovaries and small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells. During pregnancy, the placenta also makes estrogen.
Estrogen promotes the development and maintenance of female characteristics in the human body, including breasts, pubic and armpit hair, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.
Estrogen also plays a big role in reproductive and sexual development, including puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Progesterone is produced by the ovaries after ovulation. During pregnancy, the placenta also produces progesterone.
Progesterone is responsible for
Testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries. This hormone is produced in small amounts and is responsible for
It is quite normal for your hormones to change as you leave childhood and enter puberty, as you become pregnant, give birth, and breastfeed, and as you near menopause. This is natural and expected.
During puberty, the production of your female sex hormones increases, especially estrogen, which results in
Most females enter puberty between the ages of 8 and 13.
Most females get their first period between the ages of 10 and 16. The menstrual cycle lasts around 25 to 36 days, and bleeding lasts between 3 and 7 days.
As conception takes place, you start to produce human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG)–the hormone that shows up in your urine and is used to test for pregnancy. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels increase, preventing menstruation and helping to sustain the pregnancy.
After childbirth, your hormone levels start to fall immediately, returning to your pre-pregnancy levels. Breastfeeding lowers estrogen levels and can prevent ovulation, but not always, so you’ll need birth control to prevent another pregnancy.
During perimenopause, hormone production in your ovaries slows down–estrogen levels start to fluctuate and progesterone levels start a steady decline. As you near menopause, your vagina may become less lubricated, you may experience a decrease in your libido (sexual desire), and your menstrual cycle becomes irregular.
You’ve reached menopause when you have gone 12 months without a period. Menopause usually occurs around age 50. Estrogen and progesterone levels remain steady at low levels.
While it is normal for hormones to fluctuate throughout the various stages of a woman’s life–puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, perimenopause, and menopause–a hormone imbalance can be a sign of something more serious.
Don’t wait for your annual well-woman exam to seek treatment for hormone imbalance. Our OB/GYN physicians at Newton-Wellesley OB/GYN are here to help. Give us a call at (617) 332-2345 in Newton or (508) 668-5555 in Walpole to schedule an appointment. For your convenience, you may also request an appointment online.
Women who have a hormone imbalance may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
There are numerous possible causes of hormone imbalance in women. Some causes are due to external factors, such as stress and hormone medications, and other causes may be due to medical conditions such as
During your consultation, your Newton-Wellesley OB/GYN physician may order a blood test for you that checks your estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels, as well as your thyroxine (thyroid hormone), insulin, and cortisol levels. There may be more tests ordered based on your symptoms.
Your doctor will also conduct a pelvic exam to check for any lumps or cysts. A biopsy may be taken of any abnormally appearing tissue. If required, your doctor may order imaging tests such as an ultrasound, MRI, or thyroid scan for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment for hormone imbalance depends on the cause. Once your doctor figures out what is causing your hormone imbalance, treatment recommendations may include:
