Dangers of Untreated Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances are statistically shown, especially in women, are more prevalent than previously recognized. Thought not necessarily immediately “visible”, hormonal imbalances can present in many aspects of a person’s life, and if not treated, these imbalance can have dangerous and/or life-threatening effects. With so many people experiencing imbalance, it’s curious that more people do not seek treatment. So, it’s important to increase awareness, abut how hormones function in the body and why leaving imbalances untreated can lead to serious dangers.
Hormones Defined
Hormones function as messengers in the body. In reaction to specific chemicals, hormones that the endocrine system produces will affect various outcomes in the body. Hormones regulate metabolism, sleep patterns, appetite, moods, stress levels, reproductive and sexual functions, and heart rate.
Hormone Imbalance Defined
If too much or not enough of certain hormones are being produced in the body a hormonal imbalance occurs. Hormonal imbalance will first often manifest as (and/or mimic) smaller health issues such as weight loss or gain, constipation, diarrhea, sweating, hot flashes, exhaustion and/or fatigue, and infertility. Often the signs and symptoms are ignored and medical treatment is not immediately sought.
Hormonal Imbalances In Women and Men
Hormonal changes and imbalance for women can manifest for women in various ways such as having irregular periods, excessive growth of body hair, skin break outs, and weight gain. The individual symptoms might not activate concern initially, but if multiple signs are present it can be a sign that something is not functioning in a balanced way. Women do experience imbalance to their hormones in several key life transitions, such as puberty, pregnancy and child birth, perimenopause, as well as menopause. Hormonal imbalance for men will often manifest as decrease in sex drive, hair loss, decrease in muscle mass, and often get overlooked as expected signs of maturing or aging.
Hormone Imbalance Dangers and Concerns
The biggest concern with hormonal imbalance is the underlying condition that it can represent. Serious issues such as diabetes, thyroid and glandular issues, tumors (malignant or benign) can all result in hormonal imbalance. So, if your body’s chemicals are causing hormonal imbalance reactions, these imbalances can signal deeper underlying issues, which are of course can be dangerous if not treated.
For women especially, hormonal imbalance can indicate significant health issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, early onset menopause, and/or ovarian cancer, among other possible conditions. For men, hormonal imbalance, can indicate prostate cancer as well as various other health conditions.
It is important to consult with a doctor if you are experience any new and/or unusual issues that are not typical for your body and state of mind. It can be helpful to log changes in the body and moods to help in communication with your doctor. It is important to express any and all concerns and symptoms. Hormone imbalance diagnosis will often result in recommendations from your doctor which might include prescription medicine, considerations for life-style changes, additional testing, and/or a referral to a specialist. Hormonal imbalances can represent significant health issues, so it is important to consult with your doctor about any changes in your body and moods to make sure you can get back to balance.