When it comes to the female body – hormones run the show.
There’s the obvious role of hormones in pregnancy, periods, menopause, and anything to do with reproductive health, but hormones do so much more than that.
Your hormone, or endocrine, the system is essential for countless processes in the human body, including (but certainly not limited to) regulating your circadian rhythm, metabolism, and mood. When your hormones are out of balance, it creates a domino effect that can affect your overall health and well-being.
Sometimes these symptoms can be elusive or not obviously related to your hormones, making it much more difficult to treat an imbalance.
Education is the first step to advocating for yourself for better health care. That’s why we look at various symptoms that may be indicative of a hormonal imbalance – and how to treat them.
Vision Changes
Hormones can affect you vision and eye health in a variety of ways. Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during the female reproductive cycle and overall life. Changes in these hormones can affect the oil glands of the eyes which can lead to greater dryness.
Estrogen can also affect the cornea, making it more elastic and affecting the way light travels in the eye. You may notice changes in your vision if you continue or stop hormonal birth control, become pregnant, or go through menopause. Vision changes can also be indicative of a more serious condition such as diabetes or Graves’ diseasean autoimmune disease that leads to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Excessive sweating
Sweating is a normal part of biology and some people sweat more than others. That said, if you’re experiencing an abnormal amount of sweating for your body, or if you start to feel night sweatsit can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance.
This is more common for people who are in menopause or who are starting to go through menopause. Menopause itself is not a hormonal imbalance, but it does cause changes in your hormones that can lead to a wide range of symptoms.
It can also be linked to hyperthyroidism. Sweating is a common symptom for those with an overactive thyroid and can be due to poor temperature regulation – which is one of the thyroid’s roles.
Hair thinning
Hair and hormones go hand in hand. This is why it is so common for people to experience hair loss after giving birth. Hair loss can also be common in menopause.
People with certain hormonal disorders may also experience thinning or hair loss. This can be due to an abnormal thyroid, especially an underactive thyroid, as in the case of hypothyroidism, or Hashimoto’s disease.
Cold hands and feet
Cold, especially in the hands and feet is more common in women because of the changing levels. Estrogen, which is more prevalent in women, can lower their body temperature, slow blood flow to the arms and legs, and cause heat to dissipate. This is one of the reasons why women, and AFAB people (assigned female at birth) seem to be colder, more often.
An estrogen imbalance that causes high levels of the hormone can also cause someone to constantly have cold hands and feet.
Hypothyroidism, which causes low thyroid function, is one of the most common causes of constant coldness. Thyroid hormones help normalize body temperature by increasing metabolism. When the thyroid is underactive, this process does not work as it should.
Bigger Eyes
Graves’ disease can also affect the eyes in a condition called Graves’ eye disease (GED) or thyroid eye disease (TED). This happens when swelling around the eyes causes them to bulge. About one in three people with Graves’ disease develop this condition.
GED can lead to other unpleasant symptoms such as:
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty moving your eyes
- Pressure or pain in the eyes
- Difficulty closing eyes all the way through
- Swollen eyelids
- Irritated, rough, red or dry eyes
Changes in your bowel habits
Hormones also have an impact on how much and how often you have bowel movements. There is a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins which help stimulate the smooth muscles of your uterus during labor and menstruation. If your body has too many prostaglandins, they can enter your bloodstream and affect other smooth muscles in your body, including your intestines – which can make you poop more.
Thyroid problems can also affect your bowel and bowel habits. Hypothyroidism can often lead to constipation, while hyperthyroidism more often causes loose stools or diarrhea.
Treatment of Hormonal Imbalance
The first step to treatment is diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will likely perform various diagnostic tests that test your hormones, as well as record any symptoms you are experiencing to give you an accurate diagnosis.
Hormonal imbalances can be linked to a wide range of conditions such as:
Because these conditions are so different, treatment will vary depending on the cause of a hormonal imbalance as well as the individual and their needs. Some possible treatment options could include hormone replacement therapy, medication, surgery, radiation, and lifestyle changes such as managing stress and eating a specific diet. Your medical team can help you create the right treatment plan for you.
Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect your health and your daily life. While some are genetically linked or cannot be prevented, there are steps you can take to help take care of your hormonal health before you start showing symptoms:
- Good sleep every night
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Managing your stress levels
- Getting enough physical activity
- Avoiding tobacco or nicotine products
- Management of any chronic health conditions
This article is not intended to be taken as a substitute for medical advice – especially with something as complicated as your hormonal health. If you suspect you may have a hormone imbalance, the first step is to seek out a doctor or specialist, such as an endocrinologist, who can run the appropriate tests to see what’s going on under the hood.
