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Hormones

What Is a Hormonal Imbalance?

The Oova Team
The Oova Team

A hormonal imbalance is when a person has too much or two little of one or more hormones. They can be managed as treated, especially if you know the signs.

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Published:
Jan 18, 2022
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Published:
Jun 17, 2024
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A hormonal imbalance is when a person has too much or two little of one or more hormones. They can be managed as treated, especially if you know the signs.

Hormones
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A hormonal imbalance is when a person has too much or two little of one or more hormones. They can be managed as treated, especially if you know the signs.

Hormones are powerful actors in our body, which means a hormonal imbalance can really throw us off. Our hormones impact our day-to-day experiences like sleep, energy levels, weight loss and gain, digestion, and more. Hormones also play a vital role in the menstrual cycle and trying to conceive. Hormones like luteinizing hormone, progesterone, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, and more all help to regulate cycles and fertility. So what happens when we have a hormonal imbalance?

When hormones are out of balance, there are many noticeable effects, from muscle weakness and unexplained weight gain to depression and blurred vision. It can even affect our ability to get pregnant. Where does this stem from? It depends on the individual, but luckily, there are a variety of treatments and solutions depending on where your hormonal imbalance is coming from.

Definition     Causes     Signs     Testing    Treatment

Hormonal imbalance defined

What is a hormonal imbalance? Simply put, a hormonal imbalance is when a person has too much or too little of one or more hormones.

While your hormone levels fluctuate naturally — like during your menstrual cycle — a hormonal imbalance happens when there’s irregularity or disruption in the levels or functioning of hormones in the body. A hormonal imbalance isn’t tied to one specific hormone, but includes any abnormal level of any hormone.

What causes hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalances can have many causes, such as medical conditions, habits, prescription changes, life events, and more. The cause often depends on which hormones or glands are affected. Here are some common causes of imbalances hormones:

  • Hormone therapy
  • Medications
  • Cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy
  • Cancerous or benign tumors
  • Pituitary tumors
  • Stress
  • Eating disorders
  • Injuries
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
  • Menopause
  • Premature menopause
  • Pregnancy
  • PCOS
  • Hormonal drugs, such as birth control
  • Poor diet

While these conditions and situations do not mean you will definitely experience a hormonal imbalance, they are important to keep in mind. If you start to feel off or unlike yourself, and you have any of the causes above, you may want to ask your doctor about testing your hormones.

Signs of hormonal imbalance

There is a wide range of symptoms when it comes to hormonal imbalances. Your symptoms may depend on which hormone is too high or low. Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:

  • Headaches
  • Stomach problems
  • Weight gain or unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness, aches, tenderness, or stiffness
  • Pain in your joints
  • Change in heart rate
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst or hunger
  • Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Infertility
  • Low sex drive

>>MORE: 8 Signs Your Hormones May Be Out of Balance – And What to Do Next.

Hormonal imbalance test

If you started to feel some common hormonal imbalance symptoms and are not sure why, ask your doctor about a hormonal imbalance test. There’s no one hormonal imbalance test that shows you all of your hormone levels, but different tests will measure your unique hormone levels for specific hormones.

Understanding your hormone levels could be the first step in getting answers, and relieving the symptoms.

>>RELATED: 3 Reasons We Should Track Hormone Levels Over Time

The doctor might recommend:

  • Medical history evaluation: Before they run any diagnostic tests, a doctor will likely review your medical history, including your menstrual history, history of hormonal disorders in your family, and review your symptoms. This will help them understand what you’re going through and give you a recommendation of what tests to proceed with.
  • Physical examination: Although not a quantitative hormone test, a healthcare professional might do a physical exam to look into any of the physical symptoms you’re having and test for other common hormonal imbalance signs.
  • Blood tests: Blood tests can measure hormone levels in the body, like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), cortisol, insulin, and more.
  • Ultrasound: A doctor might run an imaging test on an ultrasound to check on specific glands or organs, like the ovaries, thyroid, or adrenal lands.

How do you fix hormonal imbalance?

A hormonal imbalance can be fixed with lifestyle changes, medication, supplements, and hormone therapy. Your treatment plan may depend on the kind of hormonal imbalance you are experiencing.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes can help you improve some of hormonal imbalance symptoms and re-regulate your hormone levels. Some changes you can make include:

  • Keeping a balanced diet: A nutritious diet full of foods like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc can help support hormone production and regulation.
  • Exercising regularly: Exercise can help you manage some of the symptoms you might experience with hormonal imbalance, like increased stress and weight gain.
  • Sleeping for seven to nine hours each night: Adequate sleep can help support hormonal regulation. Not sleeping well can disrupt hormones like cortisol, insulin, and leptin. (Learn how to create a healthy sleep schedule.)
  • Managing and reducing stress levels: Stress can disrupt your hormone levels and therefore contribute to hormonal imbalance. Practice self-care, mindfulness, deep breathing, and setting boundaries.
  • Avoid hot flash triggers: Hot flashes occur from a decrease in estrogen, which means you’ll want to stay away from hot flash triggers, like hot or spicy foods.

If lifestyle changes don’t work for you, there are other options available. Each person may require a slightly different treatment plan.

Medications

If lifestyle changes aren’t helping, a doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage your hormonal imbalance. These medications, including supplements and hormone therapy, aim to help boost or lower a certain hormone level:

  • Hormone medications such as birth control
  • Estrogen tablets or rings
  • Hormone replacement medications
  • Eflornithine
  • Anti-androgen medications
  • Clomiphene (clomid) and letrozole (femara)
  • Progesterone supplements
  • Vitamin D supplements

Hormonal Imbalance: Takeaway

Most people will experience a hormonal imbalance at one point of another in their lives. They are most common during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, but people can get them at any time.

If you’re experiencing a hormonal imbalance, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor. They can help you come up with a plan to relieve your symptoms and balance your hormones.

About the author

The Oova Team
The Oova Team consists of doctors, researchers, and content experts. We collaborate to bring you medically-backed resources to help support your hormone journey. Learn more about our team.

Sources

https://www.oova.life/blog/high-progesterone-symptoms
Can high progesterone cause weight gain?
Yes, elevated progesterone can cause temporary weight gain through water retention and bloating. This is a normal part of the luteal phase and early pregnancy.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
Does stress affect estrogen levels?
Yes, chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can suppress estrogen production and disrupt hormonal balance. Stress reduction through meditation, yoga, adequate sleep, and self-care practices helps maintain optimal estrogen levels.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
When should I consider medical treatment for low estrogen?
Consider medical intervention if natural methods don't improve symptoms after 3 months, if symptoms severely impact quality of life, if you're experiencing early menopause (before 40), or if you have fertility concerns. Hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate in these cases.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
What are the signs that my estrogen is increasing?
Signs of rising estrogen include more regular menstrual cycles, reduced hot flashes, improved vaginal lubrication, better mood stability, increased energy, and improved skin elasticity. You may also notice reduced symptoms that originally indicated low estrogen.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
Can exercise increase estrogen levels?
Yes, moderate exercise stimulates estrogen release and helps maintain hormonal balance. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate cardio weekly plus strength training twice per week. However, excessive exercise can actually lower estrogen, so balance is key.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
How long does it take to increase estrogen naturally?
With consistent dietary and lifestyle changes, you may notice improvements in symptoms within 4-8 weeks. However, significant hormonal changes typically take 2-3 months. Tracking your cycle and symptoms can help you monitor progress.
https://www.oova.life/blog/how-to-increase-estrogen
What foods increase estrogen levels naturally?
Foods high in phytoestrogens can help increase estrogen naturally. The best options include flax seeds (high in lignans), soy products (tofu, tempeh, edamame), lentils, chickpeas, whole grains (oats, quinoa, brown rice), and garlic. These plant compounds mimic estrogen's effects in the body.
https://www.oova.life/blog/perimenopause
What helps relieve hot flashes quickly?
Cool environments, layered clothing, herbal teas, and medical treatments like gabapentin or HRT may help—depending on severity. Lifestyle changes like reducing caffeine and alcohol can also provide relief.
https://www.oova.life/blog/perimenopause
Are there tests to confirm perimenopause?
Yes. Tests measuring estradiol, LH, and FSH levels can indicate hormonal shifts—but diagnosis is often symptom-based since hormone levels fluctuate widely during perimenopause.
https://www.oova.life/blog/perimenopause
How do I know it's perimenopause and not something else?
A doctor may recommend hormone testing (like LH, E3G, and PdG) and track symptom timing. Diagnosis is often based on symptoms combined with age and menstrual pattern changes.
https://www.oova.life/blog/perimenopause
What's the earliest age perimenopause can start?
Some women begin experiencing symptoms as early as their mid-30s, though perimenopause typically starts between ages 38-45.
https://www.oova.life/blog/perimenopause
Does perimenopause affect mental clarity?
Yes. Brain fog and difficulty concentrating are common during hormone fluctuations in perimenopause.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
What happens after the last sign of perimenopause?
After your final period, you enter postmenopause. You'll need 12 consecutive months without a period to confirm menopause. Many symptoms gradually improve, though some like vaginal dryness may persist without treatment.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
When do perimenopause symptoms finally stop?
Some symptoms like brain fog improve after menopause, while others like hot flashes may continue for up to 10 years post-menopause. Vaginal symptoms often persist or worsen without treatment. Each person's timeline is different.
https://www.oova.life/blog/high-progesterone-symptoms
Is high progesterone a sign of pregnancy?
Yes, high progesterone is one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy. Progesterone levels rise significantly after conception to support the developing embryo and reach their peak during the third trimester.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
Can you still get pregnant in late perimenopause?
Yes, you can still get pregnant during perimenopause as long as you're having periods, even if they're infrequent. Continue using birth control until you've gone 12 consecutive months without a period and have officially reached menopause.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
Do symptoms get worse before perimenopause ends?
Yes, most perimenopause symptoms intensify in the final 1-2 years before menopause. Hot flashes peak around your final period, vaginal symptoms worsen, and mood changes increase. However, brain fog typically improves in late perimenopause.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
How long does late perimenopause last?
Late perimenopause typically lasts 1-3 years before your final period. However, the exact duration varies significantly from person to person. You've reached menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period.
https://www.oova.life/blog/high-progesterone-symptoms
What are the symptoms of high progesterone?
High progesterone symptoms include fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, anxiety, depression, headaches, and food cravings. During pregnancy, you may also experience increased nipple sensitivity and muscle aches.
https://www.oova.life/blog/TBD-10-symptoms-and-how-to-get-relief
What are the first signs that perimenopause is ending?
The earliest signs include longer gaps between periods (60+ days), intensifying hot flashes that peak around your final period, and worsening vaginal dryness. These symptoms typically increase in late perimenopause before you reach official menopause.
https://www.oova.life/blog/high-progesterone-symptoms
When should I be concerned about high progesterone?
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience high progesterone symptoms outside your luteal phase when not pregnant, or if symptoms include severe pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or rapid weight gain while on hormone therapy.
https://www.oova.life/blog/high-progesterone-symptoms
How do you test progesterone levels?
Progesterone can be measured through blood tests at your doctor's office or at-home urine tests that measure PdG (a progesterone metabolite). Testing is typically done during the luteal phase, about 7 days after ovulation.

About the Oova Blog:
‍Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

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