Hormonal Imbalances and Getting Pregnant

The human body is incredibly sensitive to hormones, and just a slight deviation in the amount or balance of hormones can have profound effects. For example, having too much or too little of certain hormones can cause conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 

Hormonal Imbalances and Getting Pregnant

When your hormones are out of balance, they can wreak havoc with your physiology and are  the most common cause of infertility in women. As outlined below, even small changes in hormone levels can prevent you from getting pregnant or cause complications after you become pregnant. 

• Changing your menstrual cycle. Hormonal imbalances can cause your menstrual cycle to become irregular or stop altogether.

• Interfering with ovulation. Hormonal imbalances can affect when and whether you ovulate. Conditions like PCOS and primary ovarian insufficiency fall into this category. 

• Disrupting processes that prepare your body for pregnancy. Hormones are responsible for preparing your uterus for implantation, and if they’re out of balance, your body will be unable to support a pregnancy.

• Damaging unfertilized eggs. Hormone imbalances can affect egg quality, meaning you have fewer viable eggs.

• Interfering with your baby’s development. Hormones are essential for your baby’s normal growth and development, and an imbalance may prevent your baby from growing properly. 

• Causing complications during pregnancy and labor. Hormonal imbalances can cause many complications during pregnancy and labor, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, miscarriage, and complications during delivery.

What Causes Hormonal Imbalances?

Hormonal imbalances can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including: 

• Illness
• Age
• PCOS
• Thyroid conditions
• Problems affecting the adrenal glands
• Allergies
• Stress
• Your weight
• Lifestyle factors
• Diet
• Medicines
• Autoimmune diseases
• Tumors
• Damage to your endocrine glands
• Environmental factors 

Signs You May Have a Hormonal Imbalance

How do you know if you may have a hormonal imbalance? These are some common signs to look for: 

• Excess body hair. Hormonal imbalances sometimes cause you to grow excess hair on your face, neck, stomach, back, or other areas of the body.

• Headaches. Headaches can be caused by many things, though frequent headaches may indicate a hormonal imbalance.

• Acne. Acne on your face, back or chest is a common symptom of a hormonal imbalance. 

• Profuse sweating or hot flashes. If you experience profuse sweating, hot flashes, or night sweats, a hormonal imbalance may be to blame. 

• Pelvic pain. Pelvic pain can be a sign of PCOS and other conditions caused by hormonal imbalances.

• Abnormal cervical mucus. Your cervical mucus changes naturally throughout the course of your menstrual cycle, but a dramatic difference may be caused by a hormonal imbalance.

• Heavy or irregular periods. Heavy, unpredictable, frequent, and missed periods are all signs of a hormonal imbalance. 

• Skin tags. Hormonal imbalances can lead to the growth of skin tags on your neck, face, or other areas of your body. 

• Weight gain or loss. Certain hormones, such as those made by your thyroid, influence weight. If you’ve recently gained or lost weight without trying, you may have a hormonal imbalance.

• Loss of sex drive. Hormones play a huge role in your sex drive, and a sudden loss of interest in sex may be caused by a hormonal imbalance.

• Vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone estrogen.

• Infertility. If you’re under age 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months, or over 35 and trying for six months, you should see a fertility specialist. 

What Can You Do to Help Balance Your Hormones?

Many imbalances can only be treated with medical intervention such as hormone replacement therapy, while others, like those associated with PCOS, often improve with lifestyle changes.

Fortunately, the steps you can take at home to help balance your hormones are also healthy lifestyle choices. Managing your stress levels, getting enough sleep, engaging in moderate amounts of exercise, striving to achieve a healthy weight, and quitting smoking are all great ways to help balance your hormones. 

Treatment for Hormonal Imbalances

In addition to adopting a healthier lifestyle, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy, perform surgery, or help you manage conditions like diabetes or an autoimmune disease affecting your hormones.

When it comes to hormonal imbalances and getting pregnant, your fertility specialty can provide other options, including medications to induce ovulation, and conceiving with the help of in vitro fertilization. 

If you’re struggling with infertility or think you may have a hormonal imbalance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosencrantz today.