Imbalances in hormones can have a serious impact on our health, being responsible for symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings.

Hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen and cortisol are produced by the endocrine system—a network of glands that extends across our bodies. When any one of these glands develops a problem, the whole balance of hormones in the body can be offset, causing a snowball effect of hormone overproduction or deficiency. As hormones are critical in the control of nearly every system in the body, these problems can have broad-ranging effects depending on the nature of the imbalance.

One of the most common imbalances is oestrogen dominance, which occurs in women when oestrogen levels are higher than progesterone. Obesity, stress, and exposure to oestrogens in food are common causes of this condition. It can cause extreme PMS, painful and heavy menstruation, and multiple problems with mood and the reproductive system.

Low testosterone levels can affect men in similar ways, and with modern lifestyles, this situation is increasingly common in younger and younger men. Oestrogen level boosts caused by the same factors that affect women can result in low testosterone in men, causing swollen breast tissue and a low libido. High testosterone levels is a problem that more commonly affects women, and it’s often a causal factor in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Hormone imbalances caused by a thyroid gland failure are similarly common, giving rise to fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings. The failures can be brought on by stress, toxins, and a diet low in micronutrients such as vitamins—which can occur when people eat too much processed food. By contrast, stress-induced adrenal gland failure can interrupt cortisol production, leading to fatigue, weight loss or gain, and cravings for caffeine, sugar, and carbs. Pancreatic trouble can affect levels of insulin in the body, a hormone that is well-known for its role in regulating blood sugar, and can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Many hormone imbalances are caused by stress, and so treatment for all these conditions commonly includes recommendations for lifestyle adjustments as well as medications where necessary. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet is also critical in correcting hormone imbalance problems.

If you suspect you may be suffering from hormonal imbalance, click here for appointment to see one of our physicians at Raffles Medical today for a course of treatment that will put your body back on a path to hormonal harmony.