The female body contains a number of hormones that circulate in the bloodstream and signal to hormonally-responsive tissues and cells throughout the body. Hormones are produced within the brain, glands throughout the body such as the adrenal or thyroid glands, and by the ovaries. The level of hormone production and secretion is tightly regulated, and too much or too little hormone production leads to hormonal imbalances. These imbalances can lead to a number of adverse symptoms in the female body.
Hirsutism
A common symptom of hormone imbalances in females is the development of excess hair, a condition called hirsutism. Women suffering fro hirsutism commonly develop stereotypically male hair growth patterns, which may include excess hair on the abdomen, chest, or on the chin, upper lip and the sides of the face, according to the University of California Davis Health System. Women may also develop male-pattern pubic hair that forms a trail up towards the abdomen. Hirsutism occurs as a result of excess testosterone. The increased testosterone signals to cells within the hair follicle and stimulates the growth of darker and thicker body hair. Hirsutism may occur as a result of ovarian failure, or as a symptom of an underlying tumor causing a hormonal imbalance.
Osteoporosis
Another potential symptom of a long-term hormone imbalance is the development of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis suffer from bone weakness due to a progressive demineralization of bone tissue. Since minerals within the bone allow for bone hardness, demineralization softens the bones, leaving the bone vulnerable to fracture. A hormone imbalance leading to estrogen deficiency speeds up the rate of bone demineralization, and long-term estrogen deficiency leads to osteoporosis, reports Marquette University.
Menorrhagia
Another possible symptom of hormone imbalance in women is menorrhagia--abnormally severe bleeding during menses. Menorrhagia describes menstrual bleeding lasting longer than seven days, or extremely excessive bleeding, according to Penn State University. The condition may develop as a result of hormone disorder during hormone therapy, such as using a birth control pill, or may also develop as a result of diabetes, thyroid disorders, clotting diseases, miscarriage or tubal pregnancies. Menorrhagia as a result of hormone imbalance may be treated with hormone supplementation to correct any hormone deficiency.
