GUIDES
Hormonal imbalance in women: symptoms and treatment
There are natural fluctuations in hormone levels throughout our lives and our menstrual cycles. But when levels become too low or too high, that can lead to issues that make pregnancy more difficult. Below, we’re breaking down the types and symptoms of hormonal imbalances — and walking you through testing your levels at home.
Hormonal imbalance is common, but there are many treatments available
What types of hormonal imbalances are most common in women?
Women most commonly experience imbalances in their thyroid, testosterone, and oestrogen hormone levels. In fact…
1 in 8 women will have issues related to thyroid imbalance — like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism — at some point in their lives.
1 in 10 women has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is often linked to higher testosterone levels.
Though hormonal imbalance is pretty common, there are many treatment options out there (more on this later).
What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Our hormones regulate many of our most important body systems — and play a role in metabolism, sleep, growth and development, mood, and fertility. Because of this, when hormone levels are too high or too low, they can cause some of the following symptoms:
Irregular or no periods
Bleeding outside of periods
Vaginal dryness
Breast tenderness
Fragile bones
Skin changes
Weight changes
Acne
Excessive hair growth or hair loss
Indigestion, constipation, or diarrhoea
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, testing your hormone levels can key you into possible diagnoses and help you work with your doctor to get your hormone levels back within normal range.
Hormones are a big part of the fertility puzzle — and the more hormones you test, the more knowledge you’ll get.
Is there treatment for a hormonal imbalance?
Yep! There are medications you can take (and lifestyle changes you can make) to regulate hormone levels. Your doctor can help you determine the best course of treatment.
That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your hormones — so you can start treatment early and prevent any problems down the line.
Is there a hormonal imbalance test?
A blood test is the simplest way to detect a hormonal imbalance.
Although hormone tests aren’t regularly performed by doctors before symptoms arise, Arva Health makes it easy to check in with your levels at home.
The Arva Health Fertility hormone test measures your 11 key reproductive health hormones to give you the most comprehensive look at your fertility — all from the comfort of your home and at a fraction of the price. With our test, you’ll also get access to:
Physician-reviewed reports based on your results
A personalised fertility dashboard so you can understand your results and how they affect you
Tools to track hormone changes over time and plan your timeline for kids
Access to live Q&As with fertility experts
Round the clock care from fertility counsellors, doctors, and more.
Testing your hormones at home is easy with Arva Health
Want to keep going?
Go to our library for the most up-to-date fertility information.
