6 Most Common Hormone Imbalances:
Symptoms and Support

According to The Well for Health, the human body has around 50 different types of hormones. Each hormone controls a different function in your body. If you have a hormone imbalance, it can result in a variety of problems. 

Hormones function as the chemical messengers of your body. While our body does have countless hormones, there are only a handful of common hormone imbalances that can negatively impact your body. 

This guide will discuss the six most common hormone imbalances and how to fix them. 

What Is a Hormone Imbalance?

According to Medical News Today, a hormonal imbalance happens when there's too little or too much of a hormone in your bloodstream. Glands in your endocrine system produce chemicals, or hormones, that travel throughout your body to your organs and tissues. The hormones deliver messages to your organs, telling them what to do and when they should do it. 

Hormones help regulate various things in your body, including:

• Blood sugar
• Metabolism
• Blood pressure
• Stress and mood levels
• Sexual function and reproductive cycles

Imbalances in different hormones can affect both females and males. 

Six of the Most Common Hormone Imbalances

The common symptoms of hormone imbalance vary depending upon what hormone is affected in your body. Let's discuss the common hormone imbalances and their associated symptoms. 

1. Thyroid Hormone Imbalance

Your thyroid plays a major role in the health of your body. According to Women's Health, one in eight women will have thyroid problems during her life. 

What Does the Thyroid Do?

The thyroid is a small gland shaped like a butterfly that's located at the bottom of your neck. The gland produces thyroid hormone that goes to different parts of your body. One of the primary things your thyroid controls is your metabolism, such as how fast your heart rate is. 

What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones. The symptoms aren't noticeable in the early stages of the condition. As time progresses and hypothyroidism is left untreated, it'll result in a variety of issues. 

Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Sensitivity to cold
• Fatigue 
• Dry skin
• Constipation 
• Puffy face
• Weight gain
• Muscle weakness 
• Swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints
• Impaired memory
• Depression

Some women experience multiple symptoms, while others only encounter one or two. 

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism happens when your thyroid creates too many hormones. This condition is often misdiagnosed by doctors. That's because the symptoms of hyperthyroidism mimic other health conditions. 

Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Rapid or irregular heart rate
• Increased metabolism 
• Unintentional weight loss
• Heart palpitations
• Sweating 
• Anxiety, irritability, and nervousness
• Insomnia

Hyperthyroidism can develop into a serious health condition if left untreated. Keep in mind that most people respond well to treatment once it's diagnosed. 

2. Estrogen Imbalance

Most people associate estrogen with the role it serves with progesterone in a woman's reproductive and sexual health. Both men and women produce estrogen, but females have more of it than men do. 

What Is Estrogen?

Estrogen contains multiple types of hormones. A woman's ovaries primarily make the most amount of estrogen. Fat cells and adrenal glands also produce a small amount of it. 

Estrogen helps to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle. It also affects the following things:

• Urinary tract
• Bones
• Skin
• Hair
• Breasts
• Pelvic muscles
• Brain 
• Mucous membranes

There are various factors that can affect your estrogen levels, like age and weight. 

What Are the Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance?

If your body produces too much estrogen, that's considered estrogen dominance. Some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance are similar to those of PMS, menopause, and perimenopause. 

They include:

• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Decreased libido
• Irregular periods
• Bloating
• Weight gain

What Are the Symptoms of Low Estrogen?

Decreased levels of estrogen are a normal part of the aging process. However, having decreased levels when you're younger might be associated with other health conditions. 

Some symptoms of low estrogen include:

• Tender breasts
• Dry skin
• Difficulty concentrating
• Night sweats or hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Headaches 
• Difficulty sleeping

Other factors contribute to low estrogen levels, like genetic conditions or an autoimmune disease. 

3. Cortisol Imbalance

Your body's adrenal glands produce cortisol. They're organs shaped like triangles located above your kidneys. 

What Is Cortisol?

Cortisol is like your body's alarm system and is also your main stress hormone. It works with different parts of your body to control your fear, motivation, and mood. 

Cortisol helps your body with a variety of things, such as:

• Regulating your blood pressure
• Managing how your body uses fats, proteins, and carbs
• Controlling your wake/sleep cycle
• Boosting your energy
• Increasing your glucose levels

Unfortunately, sometimes your cortisol levels can get too high or low. 

What Are the Symptoms of High Cortisol?

High levels of cortisol can result in a variety of problems in your body. Some of these symptoms include:

• Increase in acne breakouts
• Weight gain
• Thin skin
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating

High cortisol levels can be caused by a variety of factors. An increase in stress is one of the most common causes. 

What Are the Symptoms of Low Cortisol?

Low levels of cortisol are often linked to Addison's disease. That's a serious health condition that's caused by your body's inability to produce an adequate amount of cortisol. 

Some symptoms of low cortisol levels include:

• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Mental confusion

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. 

4. Insulin Imbalance

An insulin imbalance, or insulin resistance, occurs when your body's cells don't respond favorably to insulin. As a result, your body can't use the glucose from your bloodstream to create energy. Your pancreas then kicks into overdrive to make more insulin. 

What Is Insulin?

Your pancreas creates the hormone insulin. It helps your body turn what you eat into energy. Insulin also helps your fat, muscles, and liver store glucose. 

Without adequate insulin function, your body is unable to store glucose. An insulin imbalance can also trigger diabetes. 

What Are the Symptoms of High Insulin?

High levels of insulin is called hyperinsulinemia, which can cause a variety of side effects. These symptoms include:

• Unusual weight gain
• Sugar cravings
• Excessive and frequent hunger
• Feelings of panic or anxiety
• Concentration issues
• Extreme fatigue 

What Are the Symptoms of Low Insulin?

Low insulin, or hyperglycemia, happens when there's too much sugar in the bloodstream. This is a result of your body not producing enough insulin. 

Some symptoms of low insulin include:

• Fatigue
• Blurred vision 
• Headaches
• High blood sugar

5. Testosterone Imbalance

Women also have testosterone, though it is an androgen, the male class of hormones. A woman's ovaries produce both estrogen and testosterone. Small amounts of the male hormone get released into a woman's bloodstream by the adrenal glands and ovaries. 

What Is Testosterone?

In men, testosterone plays a major role in their sperm production and sex drive. It also affects their muscle and bone mass, red blood cell product, and how they store fat. 

What Are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?

Your testosterone levels will fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle, life, and even at various times during the day. Some of the side effects of low testosterone include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased libido
• Fertility problems

Age is often a common cause of decreased testosterone. An underlying health issue might be the cause, so it's important to speak with your healthcare provider. 

What Are the Symptoms of High Testosterone?

Having high levels of testosterone can have an effect on a female's physical appearance. Some of the side effects of high testosterone include:

• Irregular periods
• Balding
• Acne
• Excess body and facial hair
• Mood swings
• Low libido 
• Decreased breast size 

Severe circumstances of a testosterone imbalance can have a negative effect on a woman's health. It can sometimes result in obesity and infertility. 

6. High Progesterone

Progesterone is often talked about in connection with estrogen. It helps your body perform a variety of functions. 

What Is Progesterone?

According to You and Your Hormones, progesterone gets released by the ovaries. It plays a vital role in the early stages of pregnancy and your menstrual cycle. Having too much or too little progesterone can wreak havoc on your period.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Progesterone?

The most common symptom of low progesterone levels is short and irregular periods. You might encounter other side effects, such as:

• Premenstrual spotting
• Sleep disturbances 
• Mood swings
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness

Low levels of progesterone can also cause your body to have estrogen dominance. 

What Are the Symptoms of High Progesterone?

Your progesterone levels will be high while you're pregnant. They'll be even higher if you're carrying multiple babies. However, high progesterone levels can occur even when a person isn't pregnant. 

The common symptoms of high progesterone include:

• Bloating 
• Fatigue 
• Agitation or anxiety
• Breast swelling
• Weight gain

Many people get confused because they associate their symptoms with pregnancy or their period. 

How You Can Find Support for Hormone Imbalances

Knowing what the most common hormone imbalances are is important to treat them. Discovering how to identify the symptoms of hormonal imbalance is important to get on the right path to recovery. A hormonal supplement can help balance your body, providing you with much-needed relief. 

Check out our online store to learn more about how the Knowell supplement can help you.