Hormonal Disorders
2025-07-16 08:42:16 | Evaluation of hormonal disorders | 400,000 Toman
Hormones are powerful chemicals produced by endocrine glands. They travel through the bloodstream and tell tissues and organs what to do. Hormones help control many vital processes, including metabolism and reproduction.
When there’s a hormonal imbalance, the amount of a specific hormone increases or decreases compared to its normal level. Hormonal imbalance is a significant issue that should be diagnosed and treated promptly. Below are signs and symptoms of hormonal disorders. If you feel you might need hormone testing, visit an internal medicine doctor or an endocrinology specialist.
What symptoms do hormonal disorders cause?
Hormones play a key role in health. As a result, there’s a wide range of symptoms that may indicate hormonal imbalance. Almost everyone experiences at least one or two periods of imbalance during their life, especially during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. However, some people experience persistent hormonal disorders.
Common symptoms in both women and men:
- Weight gain
- A fatty hump between the shoulders
- Sudden unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle aches, tenderness, or stiffness
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- Increased or decreased heart rate
- Sweating
- Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Frequent urination
- Thirst
- Increased appetite
- Reduced sex drive
- Depression
- Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
- Blurred vision
- Infertility
- Thinning or brittle hair
- Dry skin
- Puffy face
- Rounded face
- Purple or pink stretch marks
Symptoms specific to women:
Most common cause is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
- Irregular periods
- Heavy bleeding
- Missed periods
- Frequent periods
- Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
- Acne on face, chest, or upper back
- Hair loss
- Darkening of the skin (especially along neck creases, groin, under breasts)
- Skin tags
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal atrophy
- Painful intercourse
- Night sweats
- Having two periods in a month
- Headaches
Symptoms specific to men:
Low testosterone production can cause:
- Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth)
- Breast tenderness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced beard growth
- Body hair loss
- Loss of muscle mass
- Loss of bone mass
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hot flashes
At Dr. Hasti Hoseini, you can consult the best endocrinologists in your city by phone, online, or book in-person appointments.
Symptoms specific to children:
Delayed puberty may indicate hypogonadism.
In boys:
- Lack of muscle mass growth
- Voice doesn’t deepen
- Reduced body hair
- Disproportionate growth of arms and legs
- Gynecomastia
In girls:
- No menstruation
- Lack of breast development
- Slower growth rate
Common causes of hormonal disorders:
- Hormone therapy
- Medications
- Cancer treatments (like chemotherapy)
- Steroid misuse
- Tumors (malignant or benign)
- Pituitary tumors
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- Injury or trauma
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Overactive thyroid nodules
- Thyroiditis
- Hypogonadism
- Cushing’s syndrome (high cortisol)
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Addison’s disease
- Iodine deficiency (goiter)
- Menopause
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause)
- Pregnancy
- Ovarian cysts
- Breastfeeding
- PCOS
- Hormonal medications (e.g., contraceptives)
Diagnosis:
- Hormone level testing
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI
- Biopsy
Treatment:
- Estrogen therapy
- Vaginal estrogen creams/tablets
- Hormonal birth control
- Anti-androgen medications
- Testosterone therapy
- Thyroid treatment (levothyroxine, methimazole)
- Metformin (for PCOS)
- Weight loss
- Lifestyle changes (balanced diet, moisturizing, avoiding heat/spicy foods, laser hair removal, regular exercise)