Hormone Imbalance Symptoms in Teenagers

When a teenager throws a fit around for not being allowed to do something they want or a young girl sits sulking for no rhyme or reason, the culprit invariably according the parents is hormone imbalance. The adolescence period is a very delicate transition period, where a child steps into the world of adulthood. Mother nature is busy with her work, that causes many physical, emotional and mental changes in a young child on the threshold of adulthood. These changes take place due to the hormonal secretions that helps a child to enter the age of puberty. These changes may lead to hormone imbalance in teenagers that has a major impact on their mood and behavior. A sad and depressed teen in the morning may suddenly turn bubbly and happy in the evening. This is where the old saying, 'blame it on the hormones' may have originated.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Teenagers
In today's world, hormonal imbalance symptoms in teenagers is becoming very common. This is due to a number of reasons that causes these hormonal ups and downs. Teenagers today are exposed to hundreds of chemicals as compared to teenagers before them. These chemicals are not only those present in the polluted environment, but also as preservatives, food coloring agents and flavoring agents in foods and drinks. Chemicals are also present in the form of pesticides on fruits and vegetables, plastics, beauty products, etc., that enter their system causing a lot of hormonal problems. Teens tend to live on a junk food diet rather than having balanced food that includes fresh food products.

Other causes of hormonal imbalance symptoms in teenagers is stress. With the competition in schools, colleges increasing, teens are under a lot stress. It's not just the study that takes a toll, but to be the best in everything they do causes stress on them. Peer pressure, parental pressure, sibling rivalry, acceptance among friends, etc. are just a few of other daily life problems that cause stress in teens. This stress causes over or under secretion of hormones in their bodies, leading to an imbalance.

This stress puts additional pressure on the adrenal glands who regulate the hormones in the body. These glands are disturbed by the stress levels that causes hormonal imbalances. These imbalances lead to several emotional as well as other physical problems related to hormones in teenagers. Adrenal glands produce a large amount of cortisol that decreases the production of progesterone. This leads to retention of fats causing many teenagers to gain weight and further increasing the chances of teen obesity.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Teenagers
One of the most common hormonal imbalance symptoms in teenagers includes irritability. The symptoms include some behavioral as well as physical changes in teenagers. These symptoms go away after the body gets adjusted with the sudden rush of hormones. However, if these hormonal imbalance symptoms in teenagers continue to occur for a long time, it needs medical attention. The treatment may be helpful in making the life of the affected teenager more normal and less stressful due to the hormone imbalance symptoms. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance symptoms in teenagers include the following:

• Frequent headaches
• Depression
• Back pain
• Asthma attacks
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Aggressiveness
• Acne
• Hives
• Confusion
• Emotional liability
• Edema
• Bruising
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sinus problems
• Bruising
• Anxiety symptoms
• Suicidal thoughts
• Migraine
• Change in sex drive

Symptoms in Children
With changes in lifestyle, children too are becoming prone to hormonal imbalances. These hormonal imbalances occur when there is something wrong with the gland that secretes them. The glands either produce too much of a hormone or too less of the hormone required. This can happen due to environment, heredity or stress factors. The hormonal imbalance symptoms in children include anxiety, inability to concentrate, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, hyperactivity, poor social skills, etc. These hormonal imbalances in children may lead to some children growing up too slowly and some growing up too fast. For example, some children tend to be shorter than other children of their age and some become very tall. Girls may begin with their menstrual cycle as early as 9 years and a few girls get late periods.

Symptoms in Girls
Hormonal imbalance symptoms in girls tend to play havoc in their lives. Girls tend to experience symptoms like acne, mood swings, oily hair, dry skin, menstrual cramps, etc. all due to hormonal imbalance. These signs are a part of normal growth period of a young girl, yet hormonal imbalance in young women is very common. These hormonal imbalance symptoms in girls include the following:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Late menstrual cycle
• Heavy bleeding
• Excess weight gain
• Acanthosis nigricans
• High levels of insulin in blood
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Emotional sensitivity
• Swelling of breasts with pain
• Dry, lifeless hair
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Development of facial hair due to excess production of androgen hormone

Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms in Boys
Boys too undergo the period of puberty just like girls. Girls tend to have menstruation and develop some physical as well as mental maturity. Similarly for boys, they develop a cracked voice, facial hair, acne, and a heavier body. However, hormones can make a young boys life difficult too just as in the case of girls. There are certain hormone imbalance symptoms in boys that parents should watch out for. Early recognition will help you help your boy seek some medical intervention. This will make matters better for you as well as your confused teenager. The symptoms for hormonal imbalance in boys include:

• Gynecomastia, due to excess production of female hormoneestrogen that causes development of larger breasts in boys
• Hypothyroidism causing delayed puberty
• Hypogonadism that causes problems with the testes leading to delayed puberty
• Weight gain
• Deficiency of testosterone leading to erectile problems and the size of reproductive organs to decrease
• Excessive mood swings
• Increase in irritability and rage
• Aggressiveness
• Night sweats
• Decrease in stamina
• Hot flashes
• Sleep problems
• Poor concentration
• Increase in fats near the abdomen
• Depression
• Excessive hair growth on most parts of the body

As a parent or guardian one should watch out for these symptoms as early treatment will help in reduction of complications later on. Most of these symptoms disappear as the body settles down with the sudden influx of hormones. However, if these symptoms persist for a long time, you need to consult a health care professional. Teenagers tend get a bit of 'high' and 'kick' from these hormone imbalances. It is up to the parents or guardians, to understand and find ways to help the teens get their raging hormones in control.