How to identify a hormone imbalance in women

 
Hormone imbalances can cause a range of symptoms in women – from disrupted sleep and weight gain to medical conditions such as infertility.

So, what are the warning signs that your hormones are out of balance and what can you do to get them back in sync?

In this article, we explore some of the most common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalances in women, some possible causes, and ways you can manage an imbalance.

We’ll explore:

• What is a hormone imbalance?
• Which hormones are important for women?
• What can cause a hormone imbalance in women?
• Signs and symptoms of female hormone imbalance
• How can you test for hormone imbalances?
• Common conditions associated with hormonal imbalances
• How do you treat a hormone imbalance?

What is a hormone imbalance?
 

A hormone imbalance happens when your levels of one or more hormones are too high or too low. As hormones work together in a complex network, if one of your hormone levels goes a little haywire, it can impact other hormones in your body. This loss of equilibrium can cause wide-ranging symptoms and affect many bodily functions.

These include:

• Appetite
• Body temperature
• Menstrual cycles
• Metabolism
• Mood
• Sexual function and reproduction
• Sleep/wake cycles

Which hormones are important for women?
 

We have over 50 hormones in our bodies, but some of the more relevant ones are listed below. You can click the link to view more information on each hormone.

They are:

• Cortisol
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Luteinising hormone (LH)
• Oestrogen (oestradiol)
• Progesterone
• Prolactin
• Testosterone
• Thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, and T3)

What can cause a hormone imbalance in women?
 

Your hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout life and can also vary across the day. Times you’ll experience fluctuations include:

• Puberty
• Throughout your menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Menopause

But your hormones can also get out of balance at unexpected times.

This can be caused by:

• Poor diet
• Lack of sleep
• Being under- or overweight
• High stress levels

In these cases, any imbalances are usually temporary and can be addressed by lifestyle changes, medication reviews, or managing stress. But sometimes the imbalance may be due to a hormone-related condition that requires treatment.

Common conditions associated with hormonal imbalances
 

Some hormone imbalances can cause conditions.

1. Polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome (PMOS)

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a common condition that’s thought to affect one in ten women in the UK [1,2]. It affects how the ovaries work and can make it difficult to get pregnant naturally. 

Symptoms of PMOS include:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Fertility problems
• Excess facial and body hair and/or hair loss on the scalp (androgen-related alopecia)
• Oily skin or acne
• Difficulty losing weight or weight gain

Many of the symptoms of PMOS are caused by excess androgens (hormones such as testosterone), as well as insulin resistance. 

Although blood tests cannot diagnose PMOS, a blood test is sometimes used to support your assessment. A test for PMOS involves measuring your hormone levels to explore the amount of testosterone that’s freely circulating in your blood. Our PCOS Blood Test also checks your LH/FSH ratio, as a ratio of 2:1 or more may indicate PMOS. It's important to remember that the first step towards diagnosis is a clinical assessment.

2. Thyroid conditions

There are two main types of thyroid conditions — an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). 

In hypothyroidism:

• The thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones
• Symptoms include fatigue and weight gain

In hyperthyroidism:

• The thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone
• Symptoms include weight loss and a fast heartbeat

Both conditions can affect your periods, and, often, indications of thyroid dysfunction are mistaken for menopausal symptoms.

3. Adrenal gland disorders 

Adrenal gland disorders are caused by the overproduction or underproduction of hormones made by the adrenal glands. 

Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands are damaged and don’t make enough cortisol (adrenal insufficiency), and Cushing’s syndrome, where the adrenal glands make too much cortisol, are two examples of adrenal gland disorders. 

Both Addison’s disease and Cushing's syndrome are uncommon – each year in the UK, around 300 new cases of Addison’s [3] and between 60–120 cases of Cushing’s disease [4] are diagnosed.

4. Tumours, adenomas, and growths

Cancerous or benign (adenomas) tumours can sometimes form in glands or cells that make hormones and affect hormone production. Growths other than tumours and adenomas can also cause imbalances, including thyroid nodules that can affect thyroid hormone levels.

 

What are signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance in women?
 

The symptoms of a hormone imbalance will depend on the cause of the imbalance and the hormones involved. As hormones influence almost every process in our bodies, an imbalance can have wide-ranging symptoms. Here are some of the more common symptoms women may experience.

1. Irregular periods or changes to your periods

As several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle, an issue may cause the gap between your periods to be shorter or longer than usual or make your periods heavier or lighter than usual. A hormone imbalance may cause spotting between cycles. You may even skip a period or even stop having periods altogether.

2. Mood changes

As hormones can influence the way we think and feel, an imbalance can take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Many of us will be no stranger to the mood swings associated premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and they can be more extreme in a severe form of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) [5]. These mood swings are thought to be caused by plummeting oestrogen and progesterone levels after ovulation.

It's important to understand that symptoms of PMS and PMDD are usually attributed to  increased sensitivity to normal hormonal fluctuations, rather than abnormal hormone levels. This means hormone test results often come back as normal, and so aren't particularly useful for diagnosing the condition.

3. Unexplained weight gain

As hormones affect your metabolism and appetite, imbalances can cause weight gain. They can also change how your body stores fat and you may notice a change in your body shape. For example, during menopause, some women gain weight around the abdomen. Unexplained weight gain is a symptom of several hormone-related conditions including hypothyroidism and PMOS.

4. Skin problems

Hormone imbalances can wreak havoc on your skin. They can increase the amount of oil your skin produces, causing breakouts that make you feel like a teenager again. Conversely, they can cause dry skin, which is a common symptom of menopause and hypothyroidism, while itchy skin is common during pregnancy.

5. Hair problems

Excess androgens – primarily testosterone – can cause hair loss on the head, while there may be excess hair growth in other parts of the body – notably the face, chest, tummy, and back.

6. Poor-quality sleep

You may have trouble getting to sleep (insomnia) or poor-quality sleep. This is common during perimenopause (the transition period before menopause) as oestrogen and progesterone levels decline. Other common menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and low mood can make it even harder to get a good night’s rest.

7. Fatigue and brain fog

Hormone imbalances can make you feel like you need a nap 24/7 and chronic fatigue can make it difficult to get on with your daily life. Low levels of oestrogen and progesterone can cause brain fog, which is characterised by confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus.

8. Loss of interest in sex

You may find that your sex drive is dwindling when your hormones are out of sync. This is a common problem around menopause due to falling oestrogen and testosterone levels. And other common menopausal symptoms like low mood and fatigue can make your libido dip even lower.

9. Fertility issues

Hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of female infertility. This can occur with PCOS, which can prevent ovulation, making it harder to get pregnant naturally.

10. Vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy is the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. It’s a common problem during menopause, as oestrogen levels fall. This can be a distressing symptom and can lead to painful sex, frequent urination, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Many of these common symptoms may also be a sign of other health issues. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend you speak to your doctor.

How can you test for hormone imbalances?
 

You can check your hormone levels with a blood  Advanced Female Hormone Blood Test. This comprehensive blood test checks whether your hormones are in the normal range for your age. 

As hormone levels can fluctuate daily, or even hourly, you may need to take regular tests over a few months to get an accurate picture. 

There are some conditions that can't be diagnosed with a blood test. This includes PMS, PMDD, and, in most cases, perimenopause – these are primarily clinical assessment diagnoses.

With PMS and PMDD, symptoms can be due to increased sensitivity to normal hormonal fluctuations, rather than abnormal hormone levels. Hormone test results often come back as normal and cannot rule these conditions in or out. For perimenopause, your hormone levels fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably, so a single blood test is only a snapshot and isn't a reliable way to diagnose perimenopause.

In these cases, blood tests do still have some value. They can be used to exclude other causes of symptoms (e.g. thyroid disease, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies) and in specific situations such as suspected premature ovarian insufficiency.

If you’re concerned about your fertility, our Ovulation Progesterone Blood Test is a good first step in investigating fertility issues, or if you want a deeper understanding of your hormones and nutrition, our Female Fertility IQ Blood Test covers key reproductive hormones, minerals, and vitamins.

You may find it useful to use a period and ovulation tracker app such as Clue or Flo, as many hormone blood tests rely on you taking them at specific times in your cycle. You can use these apps to monitor and track your periods, symptoms, and activity levels, which can give you valuable insights into your hormone health.

 

How do you treat a hormone imbalance?
 

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the hormone imbalance. Conditions such as PMOS and thyroid dysfunction can’t be cured, but there are lots of options available to keep symptoms well-managed. Have a look at our collections of PMOS and thyroid articles for more information.

Below are a few treatments that may be used for hormone imbalance. It’s important you speak with your GP before starting any treatment.

Hormone replacement therapy 

Lower-than-normal hormone levels are often treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Thyroid hormones are replaced as a treatment for hypothyroidism, and hormone replacement can also be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms caused by declining oestrogen levels. 

Medication

Medication is often used to ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism by preventing the thyroid from making too many hormones. In PCOS, medication such as clomifene may be recommended for women who are trying to get pregnant, and the contraceptive pill can help to induce regular periods. 

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy, balanced diet can help manage hormone imbalance symptoms. PCOS is associated with an increased risk of high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, so eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the risk of long-term complications. 

You can read more about expert ways to balance your hormones in our blog.

---

References

1. Barbosa G, De Sá LBPC, Rocha DRTW, Arbex AK. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Fertility. OJEMD. 2016;06: 58–65. doi:10.4236/ojemd.2016.61008
2. What is PCOS. In: Verity - The UK PCOS Charity [Internet]. [cited 17 Feb 2026].
3. Addison’s disease. In: nhs.uk [Internet]. 22 Jun 2018 [cited 21 Jan 2026]. 
4. Cushing’s syndrome. In: nhs.uk [Internet]. 23 Oct 2017 [cited 7 Jul 2026]. 
5. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | Mind. [cited 30 Jan 2026].