When the Hormonal Balance is Uneven
Hormonal imbalance can cause numerous and varied effects. It is only rarely an illness in and of itself, often presenting alongside other reproductive and fertility-related conditions, such as endometriosis or cancer. Female primary hormones are estrogen and progesterone, which regulate all endocrinal functions within the female body; similarly, male primary hormones are androgen and testosterone. When these hormones are lacking, are weakened, or are entirely absent, they can cause drastic changes in appearance and functionality of the body.
It's not uncommon for hormonal levels to become imbalanced over the years. Especially after menopause, women may have difficulty maintaining estrogen levels at their 'normal' level. However, a sudden or drastic change in hormonal balance may be a sign of an underlying condition, and should always be examined by a doctor.
Effects of Hormonal Imbalance
In men, low testosterone can result in a decreased sex drive and the loss of the ability to maintain an erection, fatigue, loss of lean muscle mass, weight gain, and an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. While these symptoms have been commonly thought to go hand-in-hand with the aging process, modern science is investigating the possibility of a 'male menopause', tentatively called 'andropause', with a decline in primary male hormones similar to female menopause.
Hormonal imbalance in women may present as depression or other mood disorders, development of fibroids, panic attacks, irregular menstrual cycles, and infertility or subfertility. Fertility disturbances may be apparent when using a pregnancy test, ovulation test, or charting one's fertility using basal body temperature. Hormones play an extremely important role in the lives of men and women everywhere, and struggling with unbalanced hormones can deeply affect one's life.
How Can You Tell?
While there is no guaranteed way to detect a hormone imbalance in the comfort of your own home, women might be relieved to find that an ovulation test can suggest their results. There are two kinds of ovulation test on the market today: a seven-day ovulation test, taken daily, and a twenty-day ovulation test, taken daily. Their purpose is to detect the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the female system and predict, based on the levels, whether she has ovulated. For women practicing fertility awareness, or attempting to conceive without the use of fertility-enhancing drugs, an ovulation test such as this can be very useful.
You can also use an ovulation test as an impromptu measure of your own hormonal balance. Luteinizing hormone works together with estrogen to trigger the release of an egg; if estrogen levels are low, LH will never spike, and the egg will not be released, leading to infertility. Using an ovulation test over a one-month period will give an accurate picture of your menstrual cycle, which, if irregular or abnormal, may indicate a hormonal imbalance.
Getting a Professional Opinion
If you're concerned about your hormonal levels, discuss it with your doctor. Do research on the possible symptoms, and try using an ovulation test to map your menstrual cycle, or charting your own monthly cycle using basal body temperature readings. Keep a record of ovulation test results, particularly if you're having trouble conceiving, and bring them with you to your next doctor's appointment. Becoming educated and involved in your own care may help bring a hormonal imbalance to light and, in time, return the balance to your life.
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