Hormonal imbalances can affect both men and women, with symptoms ranging from barely noticeable to extremely severe. Many sufferers of a hormonal imbalance may not even realize they have a hormonal problem, blaming their symptoms on other medical problems or even lifestyle choices. But when problems persist and standard medical treatments do not fix the issue, it is important to look at the patient’s symptoms and see if hormone replacement therapy could provide a solution to their troubles. So, how can you recognize a hormonal imbalance in both men and women?
Hormone Changes in Women vs. Men
For women, an imbalance in hormones is usually tied to naturally occurring life events such as pregnancy, pre-menopause or post-menopausal changes. Since such a noticeable change is happening, women are more likely to know they are experiencing the side effects of fluctuating and changing hormones. But for men, a change in hormones may be harder to recognize. Hormone changes in men can happen gradually over time, making it hard to know if an imbalance is responsible for the problems they are experiencing. Here are some of the common symptoms of a hormone imbalance for men and women.
Women: Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
Typical symptoms for women with changing hormones can vary based on their age, menstrual cycle and life events. For menopausal women, most symptoms of a hormonal imbalance include the "classic" night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain and mood swings. These symptoms are well known because of their prominence in social discussions, television shows, advertisements and gender studies. For women with a hormone imbalance, the signs are usually easy to recognize. But, there are also symptoms associated with changing hormones that are less noticeable. For example, digestive problems, severe acne, sleeping disorders and fatigue can be signs of changing hormones, but also can be signs of other medical problems. In these cases, it is harder for women to know if they are experiencing an imbalance.
Men: Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
For men with changing hormones, the symptoms can happen slowly over time, making the problem less noticeable and harder to diagnose. For example, loss of hair, low libido, increased body fat and muscle weakness can happen as gradual changes in a man’s body, and may also be associated with age, genetics or other medical conditions. But these symptoms can also be signs of a hormone imbalance. Other common symptoms experienced by men include memory loss, night sweats, constipation, erectile dysfunction, irritability and more.
Correcting a Hormone Imbalance
For both men and women experiencing a hormonal imbalance, there are many treatment options available. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most common form of treatment. For men with symptoms, the cause is normally a loss of testosterone that happens naturally over time. By using the latest HRT testosterone, many men are able to reverse the affects of hormone imbalance and start living a normal, healthy life again. For women with changing hormones, HRT can be beneficial in lessening the strong side affects of menopause, helping them overcome depression, anxiety and other bodily changes. Using HRT can be life changing for many patients, and an excellent alternative to other strong prescription medications or mood altering drugs. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of a hormone imbalance, contact a doctor specializing in HRT to learn more about correcting your imbalance and stabilizing your hormones.
