Hormone Disorders
Overview of hormone disorders
Hormones are proteins your body makes that help organs and tissues perform specific functions. They control growth, fertility, sexual function, emotions, and your body’s ability to absorb and use nutrients. Hormone disorders are the result of a hormonal imbalance, meaning you have too much or too little of one or more hormones.
The most common female hormone disorders include:
The types of hormone disorders are:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):
This is the most common of the female hormone disorders. It causes irregular periods, ovarian cysts, weight gain, and fertility problems. PCOS affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
Thyroid disease:
This includes hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). Women are more than 5 times more likely than men to have a thyroid disorder.
Hirsutism:
This hormone disorder triggers the growth of excess hair, especially in places where women do not usually much hair.
Primary ovarian insufficiency:
Also called premature ovarian failure, this disorder occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working before the age of 40.