Signs of Unbalanced Estrogen & Progesterone

Overview

Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that control many aspects of a woman's reproductive, mental and physical health. An imbalance of these hormones can cause a variety of health problems, some of which can be serious.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which multiple cysts grow inside a woman's ovaries. Signs include irregular menses, growth of facial hair, weight gain and acne. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, PCOS may be linked to excess amounts of insulin and the male hormone androgen, which in turn affect estrogen levels. Treatment often includes the use of birth control pills and the insulin resistance drug Metformin.

Menstrual Irregularities

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods. According to the Mayo Clinic, amenorrhea is sometimes caused by excessive estrogen and androgen levels like those seen in PCOS. Amenorrhea often occurs secondary to PCOS, but it can be caused by other factors as well. Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstrual cramps, can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Treatment for amenorrhea generally includes the use of birth control medications, dopamine agonists or hormone replacement therapy for those whose ovarian function cannot be restored.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease caused by excessive bone loss. While there can be many contributing factors, hormone imbalance often plays a role in the development of the disease. According to EndocrineWeb, estrogen deficiency like that of menopause can lead to bone loss and, eventually, osteoporosis.

Symptoms of advanced osteoporosis include frequent bone fractures, back pain and development of a curved upper back, or "dowager's hump." Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment for osteoporosis, as is supplementation with calcium and vitamin D.

Hirsutism

Excessive facial hair growth in women---a condition known as hirsutism---is a common sign of hormonal imbalance. It involves hair growth on the chin, sides of the face and upper lip and may occur in conjunction with hair loss on the head.

Some cases are linked to an imbalance of estrogen and androgen, a hormone responsible for male traits such as facial hair growth. Treatment includes hair removal procedures and supplementation with spironolactone and other anti-androgen medications.

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop within the uterine wall, causing symptoms like gas, painful menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding. While their exact cause is unknown, fibroids are most common during childbearing years and are associated with an excess of estrogen. Treatment often includes hormone therapy, such as leuprolide injections, to reduce levels of estrogen in the body.

Fibrocystic breast disease refers to benign changes in breast tissue. Like uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breast disease is thought to be caused or exacerbated by the hormone estrogen. Symptoms include excessively "lumpy" breasts, breast pain and nipple discharge. Common treatments for fibrocystic breast disease include birth control medications and dietary changes such as the elimination of saturated fat and caffeine.