Understanding hormonal imbalance
Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that regulate menstruation, trigger ovulation and support pregnancy. A hormonal imbalance occurs when this intricate interplay of hormone levels is disrupted, which can cause issues with fertility. Andrew Levi MD is well-equipped to diagnose and treat hormonal conditions in patients at Park Avenue Fertility and Reproductive Medicine. Our Connecticut fertility specialist is double board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and personally supports each patient on their fertility journey.
What is a hormonal imbalance?
A hormonal imbalance occurs when you have too much or too little of one or more hormones. Hormonal regulation is complex, but Dr. Andrew Levi, our Connecticut fertility specialist, provides customized care to overcome hormonal conditions.
Reproductive hormones are released throughout the body, primarily in the pituitary gland in the brain, the ovaries and the thyroid. This includes key hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid hormones and adrenal hormones. Slight fluctuations are normal, but fertility challenges can emerge if the delicate balance affecting the production or release of hormones is in flux.
Symptoms vary when hormones are unbalanced. If symptoms are present, early action matters to protect overall health and to pave a pathway to parenthood faster.
- Irregular menstrual cycles, which may include heavy bleeding, painful periods or absence of a period
- Fatigue or shifts in weight
- Hormonal hair loss or excess hair growth
- Poor sleep, mood swings or acne
Hope for overcoming hormonal conditions
Dr. Levi, our caring Connecticut fertility specialist, has expertise in identifying and treating hormonal imbalances. First, he starts with a thorough medical history, then uses a comprehensive approach to diagnostic testing, bloodwork and ultrasound to uncover conditions that disrupt hormones.
There is no single condition that unsettles this inner balance, but some are more common.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of infertility that affects 5% to 10% of women. A woman with PCOS must have two of three issues: lack of regular ovulation, hormone levels with high testosterone, or ovaries with multiple small fluid-filled sacs.
- Other ovulatory conditions linked to hormones include premature ovarian insufficiency, luteal phase defect (when the uterine lining does not thicken enough), and diminished ovarian reserve.
- Thyroid disorders can show up as low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) or higher-than-normal hormone levels (hyperthyroidism).
- Hypothalamic-pituitary factors can put hormone levels in flux. Stress or low body weight can cause the hypothalamus, the brain’s control center, to stop making GnRH, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Without GnRH, the pituitary gland won’t release hormones required for ovulation.
- Sperm production or sexual function can be impacted if the male partner has hormone imbalances in testosterone, FSH or LH.
Effective treatment options for a hormonal imbalance may include addressing lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, or customized fertility medications and fertility treatments under the watchful eye of our Connecticut fertility specialist. Contact us to learn more about how our Park Avenue Fertility team treats hormonal conditions with supportive, personalized care to make family-building dreams a reality.
