The invisible force that influences almost every part of a female’s life is undoubtedly her hormones. Women experience hormonal changes all their lives, from puberty to menopause, steering almost every aspect of their lives. Hormones regulate their growth, sleep, mood, metabolism, reproductive cycles and much more.
Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body that travel through the bloodstream for the regulation of all the essential body functions. However, if you encounter an imbalance of hormones, your body will start showing symptoms.
At Ayushman Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, we understand the roles of hormones in the body, and recognize when to get them tested for better management of female health. Whether you’re dealing with thyroid ups and downs, wrestling with mood swings, or having irregular periods, your body truly deserves balance, care and clarity. Regular testing of hormones truly empowers women in making informed decisions regarding their overall health and well-being.
What are hormones?
Hormones are the chemical messengers that travel in the body through the bloodstream. They tell the body what and when to do. These hormones are formed by the glands and are responsible for changing the biological functions of the body. They keep on fluctuating throughout the lifespan of an individual. Some hormones affect almost all cells in the body, whereas others only target a small number of cells in specific organs.
For example, when there is a high level of sugar in the blood, insulin (which is a peptide hormone) is released by the pancreas, helping the sugar to enter the cells and keeping the sugar level balanced in the body. But, in diabetes, this process does not work properly, hence medicines are required to manage it.
Hormones help regulate many important functions in the body:
- Mood
- Body temperature
- Metabolism
- Heart rate
- Sleep
- Reproductive cycles
- Growth
- Stress
What is Hormonal Imbalance?
A woman experiences a hormonal imbalance when the hormone levels rise above or drop below the normal hormonal levels in the bloodstream, initiating many symptoms leading to various diseases or health issues. Hormonal imbalances can also have powerful effects on emotional health, leading to many mental issues, such as depression, anxiety, extreme mood swings, sleeping difficulties, and other hormone-related concerns.
Hormones and PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women in their reproductive years ( 12 to 45 years). It disrupts the normal functioning of the ovulation and menstrual cycles in a woman, often leading to irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and the development of multiple small cysts in the ovaries.
PCOS has been on a significant rise recently, due to the changes in lifestyle such as lack of physical activities, poor dietary habits, stress and much more. Though not life-threatening, it can significantly affect the metabolism, fertility, weight, skin health and emotional well-being of an individual. Go for a PCOS diagnosis test at Ayushman Diagnostic and Imaging Centre today.
Symptoms:
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Excess facial or body hair growth
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Ovarian cysts
- Infertility
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
- Hair thinning on the scalp and so on
Hormones and Menopause
Menopause is a period when a female stops having menstrual cycles, vaginal bleeding or spotting for 12 consecutive months or more. It is a natural process, in which the ovaries stop producing the reproductive hormones. Furthermore, if menopause is caused by any medical condition, it is known as the Induced Menopause.
Symptoms:
Different individuals have different symptoms due to changes in menopause hormone levels:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Trouble finding words and remembering, often called brain fog
Hormone tests for PCOS
- Androgen Test: Levels of testosterone, DHEA-S, and androstenedione are tested.
- Fertility Hormones Test: Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin are generally prescribed by the doctors.
- Thyroid Hormones Test: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other thyroid hormones, such as free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), are tested.
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Test: AMH levels are often higher in women with PCOS.
- Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test: Its low level can suggest PCOS.
- Insulin and Glucose Level test: These levels are often associated with insulin resistance, so these are crucial for metabolic assessment.
Hormone tests for menopause
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test: A significant rise in the FSH levels is seen as a woman approaches menopause. During menopause, her ovaries also begin to produce less estrogen.
- Estrogen Test: Estrogen levels decline sharply during menopause.
- Progesterone Test: Progesterone levels also drop during menopause.
- Thyroid Hormones Test: As with PCOS, during menopause, doctors often check thyroid hormone levels to rule out conditions that can produce similar symptoms.
Why Choose Ayushman Diagnostic and Imaging Centre?
Hormones, the conductors of a woman’s well‑being, are absolutely indispensable. At Ayushman Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, we understand their importance and prioritize the need to have hormones tested regularly. Here, we believe in striving not just for accuracy but also for care.
Whether you are experiencing mood swings, weight gain, irregular periods or any other symptoms, it is always advisable to get regular hormone tests for women done at a renowned diagnostic centre for making informed choices about your health. Understanding your hormones is the first step towards reclaiming your physical and mental health. Because when hormones are in harmony, so is your life!
