Hormonal imbalance in men
Hormonal imbalance in men is very common. It can affect testosterone, men’s primary sex hormone, or any other hormone that helps the body function properly.
To give you an idea of the scope of this issue, around 10 million men in the United States are affected by “andropause.” This is when men’s testosterone levels decline in midlife and can cause many symptoms.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at hormonal imbalance symptoms in males, the causes, and how to fix hormone imbalance.
Symptoms of hormone imbalance in men
There’s a huge range of hormonal imbalance symptoms in males. Here are some of the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance:
- Loss of sexual drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Muscle loss
- Gynecomastia (growth of breast tissue)
- Changes in mood
If you recognize these symptoms, a male hormone imbalance test is recommended without delay to ensure that they don’t worsen and you can receive the right treatment. Schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to start the process.
Causes of hormonal imbalance
Here are some of the most common causes of hormonal imbalance:
- Addison’s disease: Involves insufficient production of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone
- Cushing’s syndrome: This occurs when your body has too much cortisol.
- Diabetes
- Diet: Foods that cause hormonal imbalance include sugar, which affects insulin, and caffeine, which stimulates cortisol production.
- Habits and lifestyle: For example, drinking too much alcohol can lower testosterone.
- Hypothyroidism
- Life stages: You may experience hormonal changes at 40, with symptoms like reduced sex drive and weight gain.
- Pancreatitis
- Pituitary tumors
- Steroids
- Stress
If any of these issues affect you, you’ll want to know how to cure hormonal imbalance. We’ll deal with this in the next section.
How to fix hormonal imbalances
If you’re wondering how to cure hormonal imbalance, it’s good to know you have options. While hormonal imbalance may sometimes correct itself, your doctor can advise you on lifestyle changes and medication for the most effective solution.
The first step is to take a hormone level test. A hormone blood test will detect levels of various hormones and enable your doctor to suggest a course of treatment.
How long your hormonal imbalance takes to fix will depend on its severity and the treatment prescribed. Your doctor can advise further on this.
Food
If your hormone imbalance is a result of eating certain foods, changes to your diet can help you get back to normal levels. For example, you can reduce the amount of sugar in your diet to help reset your insulin levels.
You may also wish to consume drinks to balance hormones, such as healthy smoothies.
Herbs that balance hormones include Indian ginseng, which helps with cortisol production, and marjoram, which can help regulate insulin production. These are two examples of the best herbs for hormonal imbalances and make great natural remedies for these conditions.
Vitamins may also play a role in correcting hormonal imbalances. Vitamin E may be taken as a supplement or can be found in foods such as almonds, avocado, and salmon.
Medicine
Your doctor may prescribe you medicine to help rebalance your hormone levels.
For example, if your hormone imbalance is a result of Cushing’s syndrome, you can take medication to stop your body from producing too much cortisol.
Or if your imbalance is a result of diabetes, you may be given medication for this condition as well as advice on lifestyle changes.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy can help some men who are experiencing low levels of testosterone.
This can be a good solution for hormonal changes at 40 with symptoms like low sex drive or erectile dysfunction.
Your doctor may give you injections or offer you patches or gel.
Restoring you to your best self
All men are vulnerable to hormone imbalances, which can present with a wide spectrum of symptoms.
If you recognize any of the symptoms listed, it’s best to consult a doctor who can carry out a hormone imbalance test and prescribe effective treatment.
Why not request an appointment with one of our expert doctors for a hormone test? It’s the first step to finding the answers to your symptoms and starting treatment to restore you to your best possible self!