Hormonal Imbalance in Men: What You Need to Know About Its Hidden Effects

Hormonal imbalance in men occurs when there are too few or too many hormones present in the body. Hormones play an important role in the body as they are produced by glands in the endocrine system. They travel through the bloodstream and regulate major body processes like reproduction and metabolism.

Hormonal changes can be difficult to manage, especially when you don’t know how the chemicals in your body work. With growing age, there are certain changes in the functionality of the human body like low energy levels, disturbed sleeping patterns and a slow digestive system. Most people are unaware that these changes are due to hormonal imbalances in the body.

In this article, we will understand male hormonal imbalance, symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men and male hormone imbalance test and treatment.

What is hormonal imbalance in men?

Along with other hormones like Cortisol, Insulin and Thyroid hormones, Testosterone is regarded as the main male hormone. These hormonal imbalances can cause any of the four major types of hormonal imbalances in men.

1. Hyperthyroidism

The metabolism may increase because of an overactive thyroid gland that produces a lot of thyroid hormones. If necessary, it can be removed surgically.

2. Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland can lead to less thyroid hormone production, leading to hypothyroidism.

3. Adrenal Fatigue

Low levels of the stress hormone Cortisol can cause adrenal fatigue. Prolonged stress is often the cause.

4. Andropause

Also referred to as “male menopause”. It is a condition that can result from low testosterone levels.

You may also read: Understanding How Male Fertility Changes with Age

Causes of hormonal imbalance in men

There are several possible causes of hormonal imbalance in men. The main causes are:

• Iodine deficiency

• Hereditary pancreatitis

• Endocrine gland injury

• Prolonged exposure to chronic stress

• Poor diet and nutrition

• Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

• Being overweight, anorexic or obese

• Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia

• High or low levels of Cortisol

• Birth control or hormonal replacement drugs

• Overuse of steroids

• Pituitary tumors, benign tumors, cancer and cancer treatment

• Solitary thyroid nodules and cysts

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men

In the beginning, it is simple to attribute the signs of a hormonal imbalance to other things, like fatigue and overwork. However, over time these symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men frequently get worse until they begin to alter their way of life. Here are a few of the most typical symptoms:

• Brittle or weak bones

• Sudden and unexplained weight loss

• Irritability, anxiety and depression

• Excessive sweating

• Unexplained prolonged fatigue

• Difficulty sleeping and headaches

• Increases thirst and frequent urination

• Changes in heat and cold sensitivity

• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure

• Dry skin or skin rashes

• Constipation

• Facial puffiness

Effects of hormonal imbalance on Men's Health

A hormonal imbalance affects many bodily functions such as:

• Metabolism

• Mood changes

• Body Temperature

• Heart Rate

• Growth and development

• Sleep cycles

• Sexual functions

• Reproductive cycle

• Loss of Libido

Diagnosis of hormonal imbalance in men

Doctors have many tests available to diagnose male hormonal imbalances. Home-test kits are also available for Male hormone imbalance tests. These kits use blood, saliva or urine to measure cortisol levels, thyroid hormones and sex hormones.

Male hormone imbalance test

• Sperm count test

• Blood test

• Thyroid scan

• Physical exam

• Ultrasound

• X-Ray

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

How to fix hormone imbalance in men?

Hormonal imbalance is quite common in every age these days. The main reason behind this is poor diet and bad lifestyle habits. Some natural ways can help you keep your hormones balanced.

Lifestyle changes for hormone balance

If you notice major changes in your body due to hormonal imbalance, then you must consult an experienced doctor however there are certain things you can do to optimize your overall health:

1. Consume healthy fats

You must include high-quality natural fats in your daily diet like eggs, dark chocolate, nuts, fatty fish, avocados etc. This may help reduce your appetite and will keep your stomach full for long. These foods also help in reducing insulin resistance and will keep your hormones in check.

2. Add enough protein to your meals

Intake of protein diet will help in releasing hormones like Ghrelin and Leptin and these help in controlling your appetite. Protein also provides essential amino acids in your body that improve bone health, skin, and muscles.

3. Manage stress effectively

Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage or some breathing exercises because that’ll help you manage your stress levels. The two major hormones affected by stress are adrenaline and cortisol.

4. Indulge in regular physical exercise

You can set your alarms for your daily workout regime be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, gym or yoga. Regular physical exercise helps in reducing insulin in your body and is beneficial to hormone regulations.

5. Eliminate refined sugar and carbs from your diet

Excess intake of sugary or oily foods can lead to obesity, diabetes and many other diseases so keep a close check on your daily diet. If you are wondering how to fix hormone imbalance in men, then adopt a healthy lifestyle from today only.

Also read: Top 4 Kinds of Infertility Treatments to Cure Male Infertility

Medical treatments for hormonal imbalance in men

Many health conditions that are due to hormonal imbalance such as thyroid or diabetes require medical treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe you certain nutritional supplements that can treat hormonal imbalances. Along with lifestyle changes and a healthy diet, you’ll able to easily balance your hormones. Medical treatment for hormonal imbalance depends on the root cause and possible treatments can be done for the same:

1. Testosterone Medications

The symptoms of Hypogonadism can be reduced by using gels, injections and patches containing Testosterone. This can also help in increasing low testosterone levels such as stunned or delayed puberty.

2. Thyroid Hormone Therapy

Thyroid hormone therapy can help balance hormone levels and can reduce Hypothyroidism. The synthetic thyroid hormone (Levothyroxine) can be taken orally or injected into your body.

Hormone replacement therapy for men

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) can help treat hormonal imbalances in men by supplementing the testosterone levels in their body. Hormone testing confirms the diagnosis of testosterone insufficiency, and if low-T is confirmed as the cause, testosterone replacement therapy can help improve energy levels, moods, bone density, muscle mass, cognition, and libido in men suffering from hypogonadism.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is the most natural and consistent form of male hormone replacement therapy and can be given using pellets inserted under the skin.

Prevention of hormonal imbalance in men

If you choose to lead a healthy lifestyle, then the chance of preventing hormonal imbalance is almost half done. Even in this high-paced lifestyle, it is important to maintain a balance and not compromise your physical and mental well-being.

Conclusion

Hormonal imbalance in men is not life-threatening however, treatment if not done on time can cause infertility and several other conditions. To keep a check on hormones regulation you must frequently visit your doctor and take prescribed nutritional supplements as recommended.

References

1. Hasan R, Juma H, Eid FA, Alaswad HA, Ali WM, Aladraj FJ.(2022). Effects of Hormones and Endocrine Disorders on Hair Growth. Cureus.

2. Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A. (2010). Male hypogonadism: Symptoms and treatment. J Adv Pharm Technol Res.