Understanding The Role Of Hormonal Imbalances In Female Infertility

Reviewed By: Dr. Kavya Reddy, fertility specialist at Ferty9 Fertility Center, Visakhapatnam

It is crucial to understand the role of hormonal imbalance in female infertility to navigate through the challenges that a woman faces during the time of conceiving. So, what is hormonal imbalance, and how does it affect infertility?

Well, you know that hormones play a very important role in the human body, regulating several functions, including reproduction. Two hormones that significantly impact fertility in females are estrogen and progesterone, as these influence the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and overall reproductive health of women.

Both medical professionals and intended women need to understand the delicate interplay of hormones in the body. Once you understand the relationship between hormones and fertility, you can tailor effective ways and treatments to combat the challenges of infertility and determine what to do about hormonal imbalance.

Hormones And Female Reproductive Health

Hormones are directly associated with female reproductive health because they control menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and breast milk production. What is hormonal imbalance? It is the condition when the hormones produced by the brain, pituitary gland, and ovaries are either higher or lower than the amount needed by the body.

These fluctuations in hormone levels affect sexual desires, development, egg production, fertilization, and the menstrual cycle duration. If the hormones are in balance, then the intended woman can pass the fertility profile test and have a successful pregnancy.

What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?

One of the most common reasons why females face challenges when they want to become pregnant is the imbalance in their hormones. You already know what is hormonal imbalance, but do you know what causes it even after you are very particular and attentive about your reproductive health? 

Well! Several factors can be potential reasons for hormonal imbalance in females, such as;

• Stress
• Diabetes
• Eating Disorders
• Endocrine Gland Injury
• Obesity
• Menopause
• Steroids
• Consumption Of Birth Control Pills
• Pharmaceutical Drugs.

Apart from all of these causes, hormonal imbalance in pregnancy occurs when a woman conceives. Her body undergoes many changes, which also affects hormone levels. During the first trimester, the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone level rises, which is detected when you test your pregnancy. The progesterone hormone is also produced in higher amounts, eventually leading to the stoppage of periods during this time.

Also Read: Beta hCG Tests: How They Work & What They Mean

Common Hormonal Imbalances In Female Infertility

1] Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Every female has a very small amount of androgens present in her body, which is a male sex hormone. If a female has a condition of polycystic ovary syndrome, then it may be difficult for her to pass through the fertility hormone test because, in PCOS, the level of androgens rises abnormally high. You will either have irregular periods or have them for a long duration, along with having trouble getting pregnant.

2] Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid hormones are another secretion of the body that impacts the fertility hormones and is responsible for pregnancy. However, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two hormonal imbalance conditions that affect the fertility profile test for female. In these conditions, the thyroid hormone is produced in either higher or lower amounts than needed in the body.

Related Read: How one’s thyroid can impact one’s fertility?

3] Hyperprolactinemia

You must also know what is hormonal imbalance in the context of prolactin or lactotropin. The hormone contributes to the development of your mammary glands within breast tissue, lactation, and milk production post-delivery. However, when your body starts producing this hormone at a higher-than-normal level, then it is termed hyperprolactinemia. Although it is a condition that is not life-threatening and can be treated, it can cause infertility and some other issues in the body.

4] Luteal Phase Defects

The time between your ovulation and the starting day of your period is known as the luteal phase, which is very important for your pregnancy. So what is hormonal imbalance in terms of this menstrual stage, and what are its effects? In the luteal phase, a woman’s body produces progesterone, a sex hormone that develops the lining of the uterus to which the eggs attach upon conception.

However, in the luteal phase defect, the ovary fails to produce enough progesterone; hence, the uterus lining is not formed. This eventually leads to a thin uterus lining, and thus, the eggs do not get attached to them, and you struggle to get or stay pregnant.

5] Endometriosis And Hormonal Disruptions

A woman’s physical health, fertility, and overall quality of life are affected by endometriosis because it is an estrogen-related illness that is responsible for reproductive health. It is a hormonal imbalance in which the organs responsible for producing respective hormones get disrupted, and the levels are either higher or lower. This hormone fluctuation affects the fertility of females because estrogen is responsible for sexual and reproductive development in women.

Impact Of Hormonal Imbalances On Fertility

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), progesterone, prolactin, T3 and T4, and estrogen are the key hormones that are responsible for getting pregnant. However, imbalances in the levels of any of these hormones can be the reason behind miscarriages and failed pregnancies. 

Now that you know what is hormonal imbalance, the question is whether it happens in both male and female bodies.

Well, yes, reproduction is a process that involves both men and women, so the hormone balance of both partners plays a crucial role in conception.

Diagnosing Hormonal Imbalances

To diagnose whether you are having trouble getting pregnant because of hormonal imbalance or not, you must first try conceiving for months. If you experience multiple failures after trying, then you must visit a reproductive endocrinologist to get your hormone levels tested. 

Hair, saliva, blood, and urine are used to check the level of hormones in the body. The test can also be done at home. All you have to do is provide the results and outcomes to your healthcare provider. However, it is best for you to visit the specialist so that an accurate diagnosis can be made with regard to hormonal imbalances.

Treatment Options For Hormonal Imbalances

If you are trying to get pregnant but having trouble conceiving due to hormonal imbalance, then you must visit your healthcare provider to get the proper treatment and balance the levels of hormones. The treatment depends upon the cause of the imbalance of hormones, which is determined by the physician/gynecologist you are visiting. 

Some of the recommended treatments to increase fertility are:

• Hormone therapy
• Weight loss as it helps to normalize the menstrual cycle
• Ovulation restoration surgery
• Administering Clomid to help you ovulate
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Lifestyle Factors And Hormonal Health

If you want to know how to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant, then there are many ways to do so, but without making the necessary changes in your lifestyle, it may not give the desired results. Some common mistakes that affect hormonal health that you should avoid when getting pregnant are;

• Unhealthy food habits
• Excessive caffeine consumption
• lack of sleep
• restless mind
• no fixed meal time. 

Further, the excessive use of plastic, aluminum, and non-stick cookware also leads to hormonal imbalances. You must make the necessary changes and modifications to these lifestyle factors to maintain your hormonal and overall health so you can get pregnant.

Also Read: Trying to Conceive? Expert Tips for Boosting Your Chances

Managing Hormonal Imbalances Naturally

Hormonal imbalances are treatable conditions, and you can do that at home, too, by implementing a natural approach. This includes eating healthy fats, avoiding sugar, drinking green tea, maintaining weight, improving gut health, managing stress, testing hormones regularly, avoiding overeating, and fiber intake. You must also provide your body with enough protein so that glucose, prolactin, thyroid, and other hormones can be balanced and managed naturally.

Potential Complications And Risks

You must maintain the levels of hormones to check for fertility and pass the test, as your pregnancy journey depends on that. If you are worried about the potential risks and complications that are associated with hormonal imbalance, then here is the list of the same.

• Inability of reproduction or infertility
• Sudden changes in appetite
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Changes in breast
• Frequent dry skin
• Vaginal dryness
• Having trouble sleeping
• Increase in heart rate
• Loss of interest in having sex
• Sudden loss or gain of weight
• Stressful or depressed days

Also read: How Ferty9's Fertility Counseling Services Address Your Specific Needs?

Conclusion

Maintaining the balance of your hormonal levels is very important if you plan to get pregnant because these hormones are responsible for various organ functions. If the hormones are secreted in the right amount, then you will not have any trouble conceiving. However, if you have a situation of hormonal imbalance, then there is nothing to worry about because it can be treated at home by making necessary changes in your lifestyle.

If you still experience failure in your conception due to hormonal imbalance, then you must visit a specialist, physician, or reproductive endocrinologist so that you can get the right treatment. Now that you know what is hormonal imbalance, how it affects fertility in women, how to manage it, and the risks associated with it, you can better understand the role and manage the level of hormones with regard to fertility.