The term ‘hormone imbalance’ is thrown around a lot on social media these days. ​​With over 1.6 billion views under the hashtag #hormoneimabalance, it’s becoming increasingly clear that many of us are concerned that our hormones might be out of whack. But how do you actually know if something isn’t quite right?

Simply put, your hormones are your body’s internal messengers. Produced by the endocrine glands, they travel through your bloodstream to regulate everything from sleep and libido to energy levels and fertility.

When your hormones are in harmony, they go fairly unnoticed. But when they fall out of balance – whether there’s too much or too little of them coursing through your bloodstream – it can lead to a host of health issues with symptoms that are difficult to overlook.

Wondering exactly how to spot and stop an imbalance in its tracks? We reveal the key signs you need to know.

1. Unexplained weight changes

If you’ve noticed your jeans size fluctuating without any major changes to your diet or exercise routine, it’s a key sign your hormones could be dysregulated.

When hormones like insulin, cortisol or thyroid hormones become unbalanced, it can throw your body’s metabolism out of sync – the chemical process that converts food and drink into energy.

Illustrating this point, a 2004 study found that when levels of the stress hormone cortisol are elevated, it can have a three-fold effect on weight: worsening insulin resistance, increasing appetite and promoting stubborn belly fat. Other studies have shown that an overactive thyroid can have the opposite effect though, speeding up your metabolism and causing you to shed the pounds rapidly.

If weight loss is one of your fitness goals, this might sound beneficial but don’t be tempted to ignore these subtle signs; left unchecked, hormonal imbalances can lead to more serious health issues over time, so it’s always wise to consult your GP.

2. Sleep disturbances

As many as 16 million UK adults are suffering from sleepless nights, and while there are tons of factors that can influence the quality of your kip (hello, noisy neighbours), hormones such as melatonin and cortisol can have a big impact.

Take the pineal gland for example. This small, pine cone-shaped gland in the brain secretes melatonin in response to darkness, which helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle. As a general rule of thumb, melatonin levels are naturally low during the day and increase at night, which can help you fall asleep soundly.

But when we expose our pineal gland to too much artificial light at night (aka, via a midnight WhatsApp session) it can disrupt the natural ebb and flow of melatonin, meaning we miss out on that sleepy pre-slumber feeling. Add higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol into the mix, and it’s no surprise that many of us find it hard to drift off at bedtime, leaving us groggy, tired and stuck in a permanent sleep debt.

3. Mood swings and irritability

Traffic jams. Slow internet connection. A fellow commuter playing music out loud on the bus. There are many elements of modern life that can test our patience, but if you find your moods regularly swinging from one extreme to another, it might not just be stress to blame.

Recent studies have found that hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone play a crucial role in regulating our emotions, by influencing the activity of feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

Further research by Harvard University points to a strong connection between low levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen and symptoms of depression and anxiety, suggesting that women are most at risk for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when their oestrogen is low during the menstrual cycle. Added to this, thyroid imbalances too can also cause problems with mood and depression.

4. Low libido

A sudden drop in sex drive is a common experience for women going through the perimenopause, thanks to declining levels of the hormones oestrogen and testosterone which can make sexual arousal more difficult. According to research studies, low testosterone in men can similarly cause decreased libido, as well as erectile dysfunction, decreased energy, depressive symptoms and fatigue.

However, there’s no right or wrong level of libido, and everyone is different. It’s also natural for your sex drive to change throughout your life. But if a decrease in libido is causing you concern, it’s important to talk to your GP, who can provide advice, lifestyle changes and possible treatment options.

5. Skin issues

There’s a reason why teenagers are more prone to skin flare-ups and blemishes. As the body starts to produce sex hormones during puberty, it can stimulate the skin’s sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum – an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair to stop it drying out. While sebum is vital for supple skin health, too much of it can clog pores and cause pimples.

In adult life, fluctuations in androgens, as well as oestrogen and cortisol can cause similar acne issues, as well as dryness and increased sensitivity and irritation. Breakouts can be caused by everything from skincare ingredients to bacteria on your towels though, so if you’re struggling with new symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult a certified dermatologist or healthcare provider who can help you to find the root cause of the issue.

Can I get tested for a hormone imbalance?

The short answer is yes. If you suspect something is amiss with your hormones, the first port of call is to keep a four-week symptom diary so you can track any changes over time. From here, your GP can run blood tests for hormone markers that are most likely implicated.

If a hormone imbalance is detected, you may be referred to an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment. They can advise on changes to diet, exercise or stress management that can help to manage hormone levels, or discuss prescribing hormone replacement medications to ease your symptoms.

While some hormone imbalances may be permanent, most can be managed effectively or reversed with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes – and there are always treatments available that can help.