About the disease

A hormonal disorder is when there is an imbalance of the amount and distribution of hormones produced by the body. Women going through the menopause are more likely to suffer from a hormonal disorder due to the cessation of menstruation. If a woman has not had her period for more than 10-12 months, it is likely that she is going through the menopause. It usually happens when women are aged around 48-52, but sometimes a hormonal disorder can cause the menopause to start earlier.

Most commonly, a hormonal disorder is caused by factors such as stress, poor diet, an unhealthy environment, health problems and if ovulation hasn’t occurred in a long time. There are many ways that a hormonal disorder can manifest itself in menopausal women. 80% of women with a hormonal disorder experience some sort of pain and tenderness in the breast, which is usually mild and does not last for long periods of time. Mood swings and emotional distress are other indicators of a hormonal disorder. Often, a hormonal disorder will cause the sufferer’s fingers to become brittle and she may also experience hair loss, accompanied by either weight gain or loss. Pain in the joints and fatigue are also common. Such changes usually occur because estrogen levels, produced in the ovaries, drop during the menopause. A woman can experience all the symptoms of a hormonal disorder even during the perimenopause, because her body is no longer producing estrogen regularly.  

Symptoms

• Mood swings
• Bloatiness
• Hair loss
• Hot flushes
• Decreased libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased sex drive
• Migraines
• Itchiness
• Dry skin

Diagnosis

• A blood test is usually enough to diagnose a hormonal disorder. It can determine whether the FSH score is higher than usual and it also measures the amount of hormones in the body.
• An X-ray can show if the bones have become too thin and is used if the hormonal imbalance has caused osteoporosis. 

Treatment

• Conservative treatment is usually effective in completely alleviating the underlying symptoms of a hormonal disorder. Doctors usually prescribe hormone replacement therapy, which gives the patient the correct amount of the hormones she lacks, such as estrogen and progesterone. This bioidentical restoration usually normalizes the patient’s sleep pattern. Diet and exercise are also important in treating a hormonal disorder. Emotional serenity can also help the patient make a full recovery.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed