Hormones are your body’s whisperers—guiding everything from energy levels to mood, metabolism, and sleep. When they’re balanced, life feels smoother. When they’re not, the signals get scrambled, leading to discomfort. These hormones control a range of vital processes such as your metabolism, growth, sexual function, mood, and energy levels. Think of hormones as the traffic lights of your body; when everything’s in sync, your body operates smoothly. But when these signals are off, things can start to go awry.

The following are common types of hormone imbalances that people experience.

• Estrogen imbalance: Although estrogen is important for both men and women, it’s often thought of as a female hormone. It plays a crucial role in women’s bone health and reproductive functions. Estrogen deficiency can lead to mood swings, vaginal dryness, and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). If you ever find yourself randomly tearing up during commercials, or the weather outside isn’t matching up with your internal temperature, you need to stay vigilant. On the flip side, too much estrogen can cause issues like breast pain, heavy periods, and weight gain.
• Progesterone deficiency: Progesterone is another key hormone in a woman’s life—regulating menstruation and pregnancy. Low progesterone levels can cause problems like irregular menstrual periods, difficulty maintaining a pregnancy, mood swings, and fatigue. Even though progesterone is less critical for men, low levels can still cause issues like fatigue and low libido.
• Varying testosterone levels: Though testosterone is mainly associated with men, women also produce it in smaller amounts. It’s vital for energy, libido, bone health, and muscle mass. Men’s testosterone levels typically decrease with age, leading to symptoms like fatigue, reduced muscle mass, and low sex drive. Postmenopausal women can also experience these symptoms when their testosterone levels drop.

Hormonal imbalances can stem from many factors, but the following are the most common ones to watch out for.

• Age: As we age, our bodies naturally undergo changes that affect hormone levels. For women, this often means low estrogen levels during menopause. Men experience a gradual drop in testosterone, known as andropause. These changes can lead to symptoms commonly associated with aging, such as fatigue, weight gain, and muscle loss.
• Lifestyle: Your diet, sleep quality, and stress levels can all impact your hormone levels. Poor nutrition and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to hormone imbalances. Stress, in particular, can wreak havoc on your hormones by releasing cortisol, which can interfere with other hormones.
• Medical conditions: Specific medical conditions can also cause hormonal imbalances. Diseases like diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid problems can affect hormone production.