What Are The Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Men and Women

Written by MASSH
Sep 21, 2024

Hormones are responsible for basic and regulatory functions in the body, and hormonal imbalances (which relate to hormones that are too high or too low) can cause various medical issues in both men and women. Discovering the root cause is an important part of a successful treatment plan and a tailor-made medical intervention. As reported by the National Institutes of Health, about 80% of women may encounter hormonal imbalances, especially when they reach perimenopause and menopause.

However, this imbalance affects the majority of males in their 50s, which can be 30% of the population, as they face declining testosterone levels caused by hormonal shifts. But what are the causes of hormonal imbalance in men and women? And what can you do to manage these imbalances? Let’s find out, but first, let’s explore hormonal imbalance: common triggers and causes.

Leading Causes Behind Hormonal Imbalance in Men & Women

Lifestyle Factors That Can Lead to Hormonal Imbalances

Improper diet: People having diets high in inflammatory and insulin-resistant food (mostly those which have been processed and high in sugars) are likely to have an imbalance in hormone levels. It is one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalance in men and women. On the other hand, a diet that has a more significant percentage of whole foods, including vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats facilitates the endocrine system. This helps keep your hormone levels in check and helps you live a healthier life overall. Significant nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and fibre have the ability to mitigate imbalances in hormonal levels. This goes to show the impact of eating healthy for your overall health and its preventative role in helping you reduce your risk of illnesses.
Physical Activity: Effective physical exercise helps balance hormone levels. Even light aerobic activity performed regularly has the potential to improve your appetite, sleep, and mood. Regular exercising and activities like walking or swimming have a huge impact on your overall health, and it also helps support your endocrine system. Physical activity increases insulin sensitivity in the body, which helps to control blood sugar levels better. It also helps improve relaxation and has the potential to regulate the body's internal clock, so the body gets better sleep with regular physical activity.

An active lifestyle can help manage weight, while a sedentary lifestyle will cause weight gain and associated hormonal disorders such as increased cortisol and disrupted insulin levels. Obesity has been considered to be involved in the imbalances of estrogen, testosterone, and insulin-like factors. All these factors are important to consider if you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

Stress: Chronic stress affects the endocrine system. It results in an imbalance of cortisol, known as the stress hormone, which can prevent the production of other hormones, including thyroid and sex hormones. Adaptive stress management techniques involving mindfulness, regular exercise, and a normal sleep cycle are the basis for balancing a person's hormone levels. Even fixing your diet has the potential to improve your stress. If you are experiencing anxiety and chronic stress, it is important to get the appropriate medical help to treat the problem.

Environmental Influences That Can Cause Endocrine Disruption

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate. Estrogen, the main female sex hormone, is mimicked by Bisphenol A. Therefore, it remains a significant disruptor of hormone functioning. It has been reported to cause numerous health challenges, including menstrual cycle disruption, heart disease, and some types of cancer. This compound even has damaging effects on human male fertility by inducing modifications in hormonal and semen characteristics.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used for industrial purposes. They were banned in the 1970s since they couldn't decompose at all when they appeared in the environment and possess the capacity to affect the body's ability to respond to hormones.
A large number of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides that are usually applied to plants can serve as hormones. They might take action or interrupt the function of hormones, notably in the thyroid gland.
Studies have also been conducted linking exposure to endocrine disruptors with obesity and diabetes, as they can affect the metabolism of sugars and fats in the body.
Environmentalists mostly focus on climate change caused by pollution, which infringes on the delicate hormonal balance. Pollution usually occurs through industrial discharges and vehicle exhausts. Some studies find there is a small relationship between the air quality of a given area and lower fertility or the way stress changes hormones and thyroid function.

Medical Conditions Leading to Hormonal Imbalance

Health Issues like hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormone) have a direct overall health effect. Other changes caused by thyroid disorders include weight changes, decreased energy, and mood changes. The survey carried out in 2017 reported that almost one-third of the Indian population is struggling with some form of thyroid disorder.
According to the information found from the NFHS IV 2015-2016, 2% of the females and less than 1% of the males in the age group of 15-49 have reported suffering from a goitre or thyroid disorder. Prevalence rates are higher with increasing age. On the other hand, the lowest prevalence rates were recorded among 35- 49 year olds (3.4%), adolescents (0.7%), and young adults (1.8%), who reported hypothyroidism or goitre.
PCOS patients experience oligomenorrhea (Irregular menstrual periods) and high levels of testosterone. Obesity and insulin resistance cause worsen hormonal imbalance and lead to PCOS. PCOS is found among 5% and 20% of the female population around the world at reproductive age. However, such estimates significantly differ due to numerous diagnostic criteria and population studies. For example, in India, the prevalence ranged from 8.2% to 22.5% based on the diagnostic criteria.

Age-Associated Hormonal Shifts

Menopause and Perimenopause: During these life stages, a woman's hormone levels change dramatically, and one of the most evident effects is a significantly reduced oestrogen level. Symptoms could include hot flashes, mood swings, and even a drop in bone density levels.
Andropause is the process of a gradual decrease in male hormone levels over the age of 40. This includes two hormones mainly: dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone. Studies have shown that low mood, reduced libido, sexual dysfunction and sometimes a change in body composition are some of the effects of age-related hormonal decline in men.

Dealing with Hormonal Imbalance

Regular Monitoring: Be sure to monitor hormones frequently enough to correct any malfunction before it becomes more prominent and change the treatment regimen appropriately. You need
to opt for regular medical checkups to know your hormone levels properly. Doctors will regularly order blood tests to ensure your hormone levels are appropriate and you are living healthily.
Holistic Lifestyle Changes: When you take a holistic approach such as diet, exercise, and stress management together, the improvement in your hormonal health can be observed. These changes take time to show, but following through with them will help you live a healthier life overall. It is important to follow these steps as they are the easiest ways for you to help improve your body’s hormonal balance.
Medical Interventions: Hormone replacement therapy may be advised in some situations. Speaking with a healthcare professional is very important for some of these discussions. Based on your health conditions, they can recommend hormonal replacement therapy to you, which can help you combat the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances and live a healthier life.
Support System: Group therapy and counselling could provide both emotional and practical advice on dealing with hormonal imbalances. Emotional support goes a long way in helping you stay on track with the lifestyle changes that you may need to make. Better mental health will automatically help you live a happier and healthier life.
Education and Awareness: Dive into the details of what can affect your hormonal health to make an informed, active choice for your health. Being aware and spreading awareness is the first step to beating hormonal imbalances and reducing the risk of them for those who don’t have them yet. With the management measures mentioned here, it is possible to prevent hormonal imbalances altogether with an improved diet and lifestyle.

Conclusion

There can be various causes of hormonal imbalance in men and women. Managing these causes requires significant active contribution from your end in terms of maintaining good health and well-being. Realising these causes and employing effective coping mechanisms can help individuals take more responsibility for their hormonal health. Regular communication with appropriate medical staff is an essential practice that can help personalise management strategies and improve quality of life.

To learn more about hormonal imbalances and how to manage your hormone levels better, check out MASSH. We offer holistic medical treatment and complete lifestyle guidance to help you adopt a healthier life where you are more active and energetic than ever before. Our functional and preventative medical care is at the forefront of our endocrinological treatment plans. Check out our website to learn more about hormone imbalance treatment at MASSH or visit us today to consult our specialists.