Understanding Female Hormone Disorders: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Hormone disorders can be a problem for many women. Not only can the disorders cause many unpleasant symptoms, they can also cause infertility.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of hormone disorders include irritability, changes in the menstrual cycle, inability to conceive and stress.

Types

• The most common type of hormone disorder in women of reproductive age is polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition causes abnormal menstrual cycles, enlarged ovaries, infertility and cysts in the ovaries. Like most hormone disorders in females, polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by an imbalance in the sexual hormones LH, FSH, progesterone and estrogen.

Function

• The sexual hormones of the female body make ovulation possible. Without ovulation, a woman cannot conceive a child. The hormones also control a woman's menstrual cycle.

Causes

• When hormone disorders occur, it is usually due to the body not producing the hormones needed for sexual reproduction, or producing too much of a particular hormone. The hormones must be balanced for ovulation and menstruation to ensue.

Risk Factors

• According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, the chance of hormone disorders may increase with the use of hormonal supplements, low body fat, chronic diseases and ovarian cysts.