Endocrine disorders are very prevalent in girls of childbearing age. Today every other girl faces menstrual issues. Some are worried about being overweight, and some are striving to gain some pounds. All these issues are due to hormonal problems in girls.
A hormone is a molecule acting as a messenger in your body. These powerful chemicals are produced in your endocrine glands and travel throughout your body, telling your tissues and organs what to do. Your body relies on them to regulate many major processes, such as metabolism and reproduction.
A hormonal imbalance means you have too much or too little of a certain hormone in the bloodstream. Even small hormonal imbalances can cause serious side effects in the body. Certain hormone levels may fluctuate through your lifetime due to natural ageing, whereas others may be caused by not enough hormones being produced by your endocrine glands.
Learn the signs of hormonal imbalance.
Common Hormonal Problems In Girls
These are some of the common hormonal problems in girls.
1. Irregular Periods
This one stands number one on the list of hormonal problems in girls. Any period that occurs less than 24 days apart or more than 38 days apart is considered irregular. This problem is considered one of the most common hormonal problems in girls.
Irregular periods can be a result of higher or lower estrogen levels. Higher estrogen can cause irregular and heavy periods, as with the rising level of estrogen hormone, the uterus lining thickens, leading to pain and heavier than usual menstrual bleeding. On the other hand, very low levels of this hormone can result in irregularity or absence of periods for a couple of months. Progesterone hormone imbalance shows the same effect on the menstrual cycle as estrogen imbalance.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is another cause of irregular menstruation. It may result in abnormally infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles. If you notice that your period cycle is consistently off-schedule and your periods appear to be very late with extremely high flow, it’s a sign that you need to book an appointment with a Gynecologist.
A gynaecologist will brief you on the reason behind your irregular menstrual cycle, along with the prescription of some pills with suggestions of the possible treatment to get your condition under control.
2. Sudden Weight Gain
Standing second in the line of common hormonal problems in girls, weight gain is a common issue too. Many hormones are proved to be responsible for causing weight gain. Ceratin hormones in too little or too high quantities can lead to weight gain.
One of these hormones is the thyroid hormone (thyroxine). When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce and release enough thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, it results in a handful of significant negative effects on the body. These effects include sudden weight gain, marked as a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism might be uncontrollable at times.
Learn more about thyroid hormones.
An increase in weight could also result from high levels of Insulin, Cortisol, Progesterone, or Testosterone. A gynaecologist can help you the most in this regard. A well-curated diet, heaty lifestyle choices and doctor-recommended medicines can be the ultimate treatment for all your hormonal issues.
3. Hirsutism
Hirsutism is a hormonal problem in girls that results in the excessive dark or coarse hair growth in a male-like pattern on the face, chin, chest, and back. This condition arises due to excess androgens (male hormones). The two most common causes of Hirsutism are Polycystic ovary syndrome and Idiopathic hirsutism.
Hirsutism is common in females with PCOS, as it is a common side effect of PCOS. Fortunately, this hormonal problem can be treated permanently through laser treatment. Ceratin medicines that promise hair growth control and hormonal balance can help out a bundle too.
Recently some studies have shown that spearmint tea lowers androgen levels in women who have PCOS which means including lavender and tea tree oils in your skincare routine can reduce this type of hair growth to some extent.
4. Acne
Hormonal acne is also one of the most common hormonal problems in girls. It is caused by higher or lower estrogen levels, higher testosterone levels, or too low progesterone levels. Hormonal acne can be treated to some extent in a few different ways.
If your hormonal acne is mild, you may use topical retinoids after taking a prescription from your dermatologist. Another excellent source is tea tree oil, which can be used to reduce inflammation caused by hormonal acne. Oral contraceptives made for acne treatment can also be used to treat acne but only after approval by a good dermatologist.
5. Fatigue
Fatigue is also known as an increased level of tiredness and lack of energy, which can result from too much of a specific kind of hormone or too little of a specific hormone. Although it is a common health issue in people, it ranks relatively higher in the list of hormonal problems in girls.
Though there are many different reasons fatigue could take over your body, hormone imbalance is one of them. A higher level of progesterone or low thyroid levels can cause fatigue. According to the doctors, to overcome hormonal fatigue, one needs to balance their protein intake, healthy fats, nutritious carbohydrates, vitamin intake, and magnesium levels.
Besides improving your diet as per needs, you may get along with some effective supplements, so your body feels less exhausted. Some of the best supplements for hormonal fatigue are; Licorice Root, Vitamin C and Zinc.
6. Sleep Problems
Sleep problems are yet another common hormonal problem in girls. If your ability to fall asleep is constantly lacking, a hormone imbalance could be to blame. Due to not having enough progesterone or estrogen, you might be having sleep problems like insomnia. Treating hormonal insomnia permanently isn’t possible, but you can shut it off temporarily by cutting off caffeine, and on the same side, you have to take insomnia medication. Some effective drugs with less harmful side effects include; Valium, Xanax and Ativan.
The Bottom Line
Hormonal problems in girls are prevalent. Issues in periods, period cramping, hair growth on the face and body are a few of the common hormonal problems in girls. The best way to treat all these issues is to consult the best gynaecologist in Pakistan. Only a professional can prescribe you the right treatment plan. So what are you waiting for, book an appointment now?
FAQs
1. Is facial hair growth a hormonal problem?
Yes, excessive facial hair growth can be due to hormonal imbalance.
2. What are the common tests used to evaluate hormonal status in women?
The most commonly prescribed test to evaluate the hormonal status is a blood test.
3. Is PCOS a common disease?
It is one of the most common women-specific diseases. Up to 10% of women are diagnosed with PCOS on a gynaecological visit.
4. What are the common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women?
Irregular periods, facial hair growth, weight gain and weight loss are common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in girls.
Book an appointment now to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with top gynaecologists in Pakistan through Marham by calling Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by an online appointment booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app. Go for diagnostic tests through Marham’s lab test booking online.
Can’t Find The App?
Android Users:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=controllers.marham.marhammed&hl=en
Drop a review for us at Playstore if you’ve had a good experience!
iPhone Users:
https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/marham-find-a-doctor/id1095243102
Stay Home. Stay Safe!