Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine glands and hormones, which circulate in the body to regulate many aspects of the body’s functions. Disease occurs when these glands make either too much or too little hormones.

An endocrinologist is a doctor who can diagnose and manage hormonal imbalances which may lead to symptoms such as irregular or absent menstrual periods, infertility, acne, increase in facial/body hair, weight gain/loss, increased blood pressure and blood sugar, and increased fracture risk.

Hormone imbalance occurs when the levels of certain hormones are too high or too low. This can involve any of the hormones in our body. For example, thyroid hormones, female/male hormones, steroid hormones, growth hormones and insulin.

A reproductive endocrinologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats endocrine disorders that are either directly or indirectly related to reproduction. They largely deal with issues related to menstrual irregularities or infertility (in men and women).

You should see a reproductive endocrinologist if you’re older than 15 and still have not had your period, if you are having irregular or absent periods, if you are having difficulty conceiving, if you have symptoms of excess male hormones in women (such as acne, excess facial/body hair, scalp hair loss) or symptoms of male hormone deficiency in men (such as breast enlargement, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction). Examples include PCOS, ovarian and testicular function and disorders of sexual development.

PCOS is a syndrome that involves some form of “hormonal imbalance” which leads to certain signs and symptoms including irregular periods, acne, excess facial/body hair, scalp hair loss and infertility. The symptoms of PCOS tend to manifest when one’s weight goes up, and is often associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. This is probably one of the most common disorders affecting women.