How Hormonal Imbalance Leads to Infertility in Women and Men

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers—and when they fall out of balance, so does fertility. Whether it's irregular ovulation in women or low testosterone in men, hormonal imbalances can silently disrupt the reproductive process, making it difficult to conceive.

At Sangolkar Hospital, Sangli, we regularly see couples with no visible symptoms but subtle hormone-related issues preventing pregnancy. Here's everything you need to know.

🔍 What Is Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance refers to too much or too little of one or more reproductive hormones, affecting the normal functioning of the ovaries, testicles, and related organs.

🧬 Hormonal Causes of Infertility in Women

1. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome):

   • Most common cause of anovulation (failure to release eggs)

   • Imbalance of androgens and insulin
     

2. Thyroid Disorders:

   • Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can disturb menstrual cycles

   • Affects FSH, LH, and ovulation
     

3. Hyperprolactinemia:

   • Elevated prolactin levels suppress ovulation

   • Often seen in women with irregular periods or galactorrhea
     

4. Low Progesterone:

   • Leads to a short luteal phase, affecting implantation

🧪 Hormonal Causes of Infertility in Men

1. Low Testosterone (Hypogonadism):

   • Decreases sperm production and libido

   • Often linked with obesity or stress
     

2. High Estrogen:

   • Can suppress FSH and LH, disrupting spermatogenesis

   • May result from steroid use, alcohol, or liver issues
     

3. Pituitary or Hypothalamic Disorders:

   • Impact hormone release at the brain level, reducing sperm production

📉 Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

• Women: Irregular periods, acne, hair growth, weight gain, hot flashes

• Men: Low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, erectile dysfunction, reduced ejaculate
  

Even in the absence of symptoms, hormonal imbalance could still be affecting fertility.

✅ Diagnosis & Testing

At Sangolkar Hospital, we perform:

• Day 2 FSH, LH, Estradiol

• Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4)

• AMH (for ovarian reserve)

• Testosterone, Prolactin, and DHEA-S levels for both partners

• Ultrasound and semen analysis

💊 Treatment Options

✔ Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, diet, stress reduction  ✔ Medications: Thyroid hormones, Metformin (for PCOS), Clomiphene Citrate  ✔ Hormone Replacement Therapy: For men with low testosterone  ✔ IVF/ICSI: For complex cases where hormonal correction isn't enough