Hormonal imbalances can greatly affect a woman’s ability to conceive because hormones play a very important role in regulating the menstrual cycle, fertility and pregnancy.

Key Points

Hormonal imbalance occurs when the quantity of hormones in the blood is either too small or too much.
Hormonal imbalance is one of the leading causes of infertility in couples.
Several options are available to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant.
Do not forget to consult a doctor for a personalized treatment plan on how to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant faster.

How to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant — Credit: Canva

The good news is that there are several ways to treat and manage hormonal imbalance so that a woman’s chances of getting pregnant will be increased. In this article, You will learn a lot about how to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant.

What is Hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance simply refers to an imbalance in the levels of hormones in the blood. It can either be too little or too much and can disrupt ovulation causing anovulation (lack of ovulation), irregular menstruations and other fertility issues making it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.

Hormones are chemical substances produced by the endocrine glands in the body. They deliver messages round the body. Hormonal balance helps the body function properly.

Hormonal imbalance is common and affects both men and women but in this article, we will only discuss the ones affecting women.

Naturally, a woman’s body experiences hormonal imbalances during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopausal stages.

However, if the hormonal imbalances continue and results in irregular menstruation, absence of ovulation, infertility, etc. Then the need to visit the hospital and have the doctor carry out some tests and examinations will be very important.

The hormones involved in a woman’s fertility journey include oestrogens, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicles stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid hormone.

Too little or too much of these hormones can result in an imbalance which needs to be treated for pregnancy to be achieved.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Hormonal Imbalance can be caused by:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A condition characterized by high levels of testosterone and insulin resistance, It affects ovulation.
Thyroid Disorders: Research shows that the hormones produced by the thyroid gland can cause infertility..
Hyperprolactinemia: Presence of high level of prolactin in the blood
Primary Ovarian insufficiency: This condition occurs when the ovaries stop functioning by the age of 40.
Stress: Chronic Stress can disrupt hormone production and lead to imbalances.
Obesity: Excessive weight gain can cause hormonal imbalance
Age
Lack of exercise
Poor diet

How to diagnose Hormonal Imbalance?

In order to treat your hormonal imbalance, these tests will help the doctor diagnose if you have a hormonal imbalance or not.

Hormonal Blood Tests which includes

Estrogen and Progesterone Levels
Thyroid Function Tests
Prolactin Levels
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

2. Ultrasound and Imaging Tests

3. Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

The symptoms of a hormonal imbalance depends on the gland affected and it can range from:

mood swings
uterine fibroids
acne
irregular menstrual cycle
infertility
low libido
unexplained weight gain
excessive hair growth.

How to Treat Hormonal Imbalance to get pregnant

Here are options to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant. The treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes or supplements. It is best to talk to a doctor to determine which option is best for you.

1. Medication

These are some of the medications that may be prescribed by your doctor to help balance the hormones and improve fertility.

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid): This stimulates ovulation by increasing FSH and LH levels.
Metformin: Helps manage insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
Thyroid Medications: Used to treat hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Hormone Therapy: This includes estrogen or progesterone supplements, hormone replacement medicine, etc.
Fertility Treatments: If other methods are unsuccessful, assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be considered.

2. Lifestyle Changes

This involves a change in diet, exercise activities and stress management techniques. It has been proven to help treat hormonal imbalance in women who are trying to get pregnant.

Diet to eat to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant

It is best to consume a natural diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Processed foods are highly discouraged as they may contain chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors and cause infertility.

Remember to cut down on your sugar intake as well if you are diabetic or have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Taking supplements like folic acid, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids is highly advisable as it may help balance hormones.

1. Exercise

Engaging in moderate physical exercises daily will help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress.

2. Stress Management

Practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve hormonal balance. Getting an adequate 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night will also help with hormonal balance. A study review in 2015 shows that sleep affects the way hormones work.

3. Alternative Therapies

Some studies suggest that alternative therapies like acupuncture may help you treat hormonal imbalance by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and reducing stress .

4. Herbal Remedies

Certain herbs such as Nigella sativa or fennel flower seed were reported to raise estrogen levels in the animal test groups.

A meta-analysis review in 2015 reported that Chinese herbal medicine resulted in double pregnancy rates among participants. A 2016 studyTrusted Source reports that Nigella Sativa, known as black seeds or fennel flower seeds, helped raise estrogen levels in an animal model.

Conclusion

Hormonal Imbalance occurs when the level of hormones in the blood is too much or not enough. It is one of the leading causes of infertility around the world. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Thyroid disorder, Lacking enough eggs in the ovary, and Obesity are some of the causes.

Treating hormonal imbalance to get pregnant involves several approaches such as medications, lifestyle changes and alternative therapies. By addressing the root causes and making lifestyle changes and using the right medications, many women can treat their hormonal imbalance and get pregnant

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can hormonal imbalance cause infertility?

Yes, several hormones in a woman’s body can affect her fertility. An example is the thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland produces many hormones, most notably triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which has been linked to cause infertility in women. Also abnormal levels of Prolactin, FSH, LH, progesterone in the blood can also cause infertility.

What foods should I avoid if I have a hormonal imbalance ?

Try to avoid processed food and refined carbohydrates as they contain a lot of sugar, unhealthy fats and artificial additives which you do not need. Also avoid red meat, soy products (it contains plant-based estrogens that might interfere with the body’s hormone), alcohol and caffeine.

Can diet alone correct hormonal imbalance?

While diet plays an important role, it is often most effective when combined with medications and lifestyle changes.

How long does it take to restore hormonal balance?

The time required to restore hormonal balance varies depending on the underlying cause and treatment approach. It may take several months to see a significant result.

Is it possible to get pregnant with hormonal imbalance?

Yes, it is possible, especially with the right medication and lifestyle modifications. Once the ovarian reserve is checked and it is enough and ovulation is regular then your chances of getting pregnant is increased.

How Telemedicine can Help you

Telemedicine offers the option of speaking or chatting with medical professionals online. The convenience and accessibility it offers make it your best option in today’s world where it is not easy to book a doctor’s appointment anymore.

Telemedicine makes it easier and faster to consult a doctor from the comfort of your home. With your smartphone, you can speak with a doctor in a matter of minutes.

With KompleteCare, you can talk to a specialist about your general health concerns, prescriptions, health counseling etc.

If you have any concerns or questions about how to treat hormonal imbalance to get pregnant, do not hesitate to talk to our doctors who are working 24/7 to make sure you are well attended to.

References

Tzu Chi Medical Journal (2020) Role of hypothyroidism and associated pathways in pregnancy and infertility

Frontiers in Endocrinology. (2022). Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update

Ana B.P et al (2023) The role of endocrine disruptors in female infertility

Joy Emeh. (2024). 10 Things to Know About Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Ginika Oluchi Okeke (2023). Irregular periods (menstruation)- Causes and home remedies to regulate your cycle.

Ginika Oluchi Okeke (2023). Easy Nigerian foods for 7 day PCOS diet plan.

International Journal of Endocrinology. (2015) The Impact of Sleep and Circadian Disturbance on Hormones and Metabolism

Karin. R et. al. (2015). Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis

Saadat. P. et al. (2016). Effect of Nigella sativa on reproductive system in experimental menopause rat model