Hormones are secreted by the endocrine system and signal to cells that contain hormone receptors. A range of hormones controls reproductive health, mood, blood pressure and blood sugar and other essential processes. Hormone imbalances can lead to serious harmful effects.
Infertility
One possible effect of hormone imbalances in both men and women is infertility. Fertility requires the maturation and support of gamete cells--either ova or sperm--which allow for fertilization and pregnancy. In women, ovulation, the release of a mature ovum from the ovary, is regulated by cycling levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. If hormones involved in the menstrual cycle become under- or over-produced, ovulation and menstruation are disrupted, which can lead to infertility. In men, the development of healthy sperm cells within the testes is regulated by a number of hormones, and over-production of hormones like prolactin can lead to infertility. The University of Utah School of Medicine indicates that several diseases associated with hormone imbalances lead to infertility.
Cancer
A number of male and female reproductive tissues--such as the breasts and ovaries or prostate and testicles--respond to levels of circulating hormones. If certain hormones are present at too high or low a level, the response of reproductive tissues becomes unregulated, which can lead to cancer. In women, high levels of estrogen can contribute to the development of breast cancer. Estrogen binds to estrogen receptors on breast cells and triggers cellular growth and proliferation. Cancers in these tissues may also respond to estrogen by proliferating, driving tumor development. Estrogen inhibitor drugs such as Tamoxifen are commonly used to treat estrogen-sensitive cancers, reports the National Cancer Institute. In men, exposure to high levels of estrogen, which could occur as a result of hormone imbalance, can increase the risk of developing testicular cancer.
Depression
Another potential effect of a hormone imbalance is depression. Patients with depression have prolonged periods of melancholy and feelings of hopelessness, and they have difficulty functioning day to day. Depression is characterized by chemical imbalances in the brain, such as decreased levels of a chemical called serotonin, which usually functions to boost mood. A number of hormones can contribute to depression when they are inappropriately regulated, including luteinizing hormone, or LH. A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology in 2004 investigated LH release in women. The study found that women with depression had abnormal LH release. This in turn has the potential to lead to multiple hormone imbalance, since LH controls the release of other hormones. Further research into the role of hormone imbalance is needed to further understand how hormones affect mood.
