Hormonal Disturbances and Their Symptoms

The biological chemicals that are produced by the different glands through out the body are what hormones are made of. Metabolism, growth and reproduction are body functions that are reactions produced by the different body parts that are targeted by the hormones.

Though it is natural for your hormone levels to change, the hormonal process may become disrupted during the release and transport during the various phases of synthesis by hormonal disturbances. Such organs such as thyroid glands, central nervous system, reproductive system, and the immune system that are targeted by hormones are the organs that are affected by these hormonal disturbances.

Hyper/hypothyroidism, infertility, diabetes and other conditions are just some of the various complications that can be the result of hormonal disturbances. By making changes in persons lifestyle can be one way to treat these hormonal disturbances. These lifestyle changes may include acupuncture, diet, herbal medicines, and synthetic hormones.

Although imbalances can occur at any age, the common stages in a woman’s life that are most likely to have hormonal disturbances are puberty and menopause. The hormones of the ovaries are affected most by hormonal disturbances. These hormones include estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. In addition the hormones produced by the brain which sets off the ovarian production of hormones. Women who suffer from conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual irregularities, and breast diseases are some of the most common results of hormonal disturbances.

The testes are the main producer of testosterone, the main hormone in a male. Small amounts of estrogen are also produced through out the male body. Just like the female body, the hormones in the male are produced by the pituitary hormones that the brain produces. While the level of estrogen increases with ones age the testosterone level is decreased. Prostate diseases may result in the estrogen level being higher than the testosterone level. The muscle strength, density of the bones and the sex drive can also be affected by low testosterone levels.

Night sweats, memory lapses, irritability, mood swings, disturbances in your sleep, depression, poor concentration, hot flashes and a low libido are just some of the symptoms accompanied with hormonal disturbances. There are other symptoms that women may experience. These include dryness of the vagina, tender breasts, loss of hair, a gain in weight, urinary incontinence, a feeling of nervousness, heavy and painful periods, periods that are irregular, a loss of muscle mass, acne, bloating, and excessive facial or body hair. Specific hormonal disturbance symptoms of men may include erectile dysfunction, muscle strength decrease as well as stamina, weight gain around the abdomen, and a decrease in the flow of urine.

You may be suffering from a hormonal disturbance if you have two or more of the symptoms mentioned and have had them for a while. To properly attest to these symptoms, hormonal testing is required. These hormone tests can be blood spot testing or a saliva test.