WHAT IS HORMONAL IMBALANCE?

Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Because of their essential role in the body, even small hormonal imbalances can cause side effects throughout the body. Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system.

There are five key symptoms that commonly indicate a hormonal imbalance in men:

1. Gynecomastia (male breasts)

2.  Low libido

3. Erectile dysfunction

4. Losing muscle and gaining fat

5. Mood changes

GYNECOMASTIA

Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement, is a strong indicator of hormonal imbalance in men. It’s easy to write off gynecomastia as a result of a sedentary lifestyle or bad diet, but if your breast tissue is disproportionately large compared to the rest of you, hormonal issues may be the culprit. More specifically, it may indicate that the ratio of testosterone to estrogen has been thrown out of alignment.

While gynecomastia itself is not physically harmful, it can be emotionally distressing and take a toll on your self-esteem.

LOW LIBIDO

Losing your sex drive can be psychologically difficult and put a strain on your most important relationships. While these changes can have a wide variety of causes, hormonal imbalances often lie at the root of low libido. A dip in testosterone is the most common type of imbalance affecting sex drive, but high estrogen levels may interfere with sexual desire and performance.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, low testosterone may be a contributing cause. However, it’s important to note that low testosterone is rarely the only cause of ED; other factors like depression, heart disease, stress, chronic illness, inflammation, and insomnia are typically the primary driver. If a hormonal imbalance is implicated in your ED, addressing the imbalance may help, but most men will need additional treatment to restore healthy function.

LOSING MUSCLE AND GAINING FAT

If you are gaining fat while simultaneously losing muscle without changing your lifestyle, it is natural to assume an imperfect diet and suboptimal exercise regimen are to blame. But in many cases, these changes in body composition are the result of a hormonal imbalance.

The testosterone in your body regulates the maintenance of your muscles. If your testosterone levels drop, your muscles will typically atrophy more readily than they would otherwise. Because muscle burns calories, loss of muscle mass means your body will need fewer calories to maintain the same weight. In other words, if you keep eating what you’ve always eaten, you’re likely going to gain weight.

However, testosterone isn’t the only hormone associated with weight changes. High levels of cortisol can cause weight gain and muscle loss by down regulating your metabolism and suppressing testosterone production. Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, can also decrease your metabolism and lead to unwanted weight gain.

MOOD CHANGES

While hormonal imbalances can lead to a multitude of physical symptoms, they can also have a profound impact on mood. Low testosterone levels often manifest in irritability, decreased motivation, mood swings, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms may also be experienced by men with thyroid disorders. Unfortunately, many men don’t realize that their symptoms are caused by a hormonal imbalance and don’t receive appropriate treatment. If you are concerned about your mood, it is critical to seek professional help and evaluate whether a hormonal imbalance could be behind your symptoms in order to ensure you have the right supports to restore emotional and behavioral tranquility.