Hormonal failure in women

Content:

Hormones are biologically active substances that regulate the work of the whole organism. It is on the state of the hormonal background that the general well-being, the quality of sleep, the functioning of the digestive and immune systems, libido and other important morphofunctional parameters of the female body depend. However, the hormonal system is not only very finely balanced, but also quite vulnerable, and therefore, in the event of even the smallest malfunction, the work of the whole organism is disrupted.

In the female body, hormone production occurs in the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the hypothalamus, adrenal glands, ovaries, pancreatic gland, pituitary, thymus, etc. The hormones secreted by the endocrine glands are distributed throughout the tissues and organs of the female body, affecting its hormones, affecting its blood and all the blood and organs of the female body, affecting its hormones, and blood flow through the bloodstream to all its tissues and organs. functioning.

Normally, in the female body produces about 60 hormones. Their combination, the ratio and the number of hormones called. This is an extremely delicate balance, which under the influence of various endogenous and exogenous factors can be disturbed, that is, lead to the development of an imbalance. It is hormonal imbalance that most often causes various pathological conditions, as well as disturbances in emotional and physical well-being.

Causes of hormonal disorders in women

Most often, hormonal disruptions in the female body occur during menopause, or occur due to the characteristics of the endocrine glands and the characteristics of the menstrual cycle. However, clinicians very often have to deal with other causes of hormonal disorders.

Heredity. Congenital defects of the hormonal system is a rather complicated condition, which is difficult to correct. As a rule, the primary cause for concern in this case is primary amenorrhea (complete absence of menstruation in girls after 16 years).
Diseases of the adrenal glands, pancreas and thyroid glands;
Transferred infectious diseases (acute respiratory infections, tonsillitis, STDs, etc.), which caused a decrease in immunity;
Cystic neoplasms, uterine myoma , polycystic ovarian cancer , endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis, bronchial asthma, frequent migraines, mastopathy;
Artificial abortions and other surgeries in the abdominal cavity and internal genital organs;
Nervous breakdowns, chronic stress, fatigue and other negative factors;
Pubertal period (puberty), pregnancy, childbirth, the onset of menopause;
Improper diet (rejection of food or overeating);
Use of hormonal contraceptives;
The use of hormonal drugs.
Unfavorable environmental conditions;
Lack of sleep;
Early or very late onset of regular sex life;
The presence of parasites;
Smoking and alcohol abuse;
Autoimmune processes.

Symptoms of hormonal failure in women

Disruption of the hormonal background in the female body can occur in different periods of the formation and development of the reproductive system.

Common signs of hormonal imbalance

Violation of the menstrual cycle (irregular, rare or frequent menstruation, their complete absence, pain, pronounced premenstrual syndrome, abundant prolonged menstrual bleeding).
Nervousness, irritability, insomnia.
Severe and frequent headaches.
Enhanced hair growth in those areas of the body where it is not desirable.
Decrease in libido, discomfort during sexual intercourse, vaginal dryness and irritability.

Signs of hormonal disruption in girls during puberty

Irregularity or the complete absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) to reach the age of 16.
Complete absence of hair in the armpit or pubic region or excessive hair growth.
Underdevelopment of the mammary glands.
Excessive thinness, disruption of normal fat deposits, disproportionately long arms and legs.

Signs of hormonal disorders in women of reproductive age

Regular failures of the menstrual cycle.
Reproductive health problems (missed abortions, spontaneous abortions, impossibility of fertilization).
The development of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Signs of hormonal disorders during menopause and menopause

Long periods of apathy and depression, low concentration of attention.
Pronounced manifestations of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). As a rule, when menopause occurs a week before the onset of menstruation, a woman has chest pains, the pathologies of the digestive system become aggravated, and strong headaches begin to bother.
Sleep disorders (waking at 4-5 am (this is a period of reduced hormone production)).

Hormones that affect the state of the female reproductive system

The female sex hormones necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system include:

Prolactin, which is responsible for the growth and development of the mammary glands and stimulates milk production during breastfeeding, and also participates in water-salt metabolism;
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which is responsible for stimulating the growth of follicles in the ovaries;
LH (luteotropic hormone), which stimulates the secretion of progesterone, the synthesis of estrogen and the formation of the corpus luteum;
Estrogens responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and regularity of the menstrual cycle;
Progesterone is a hormone that contributes to the normal development of pregnancy and inhibits uterine contraction;
Androgens. These are male sex hormones, which in the female body are produced in insignificant quantities, and, in the case of the development of hormonally active tumors, cause the development of secondary male sex characteristics.

Signs of violation of the production of female sex hormones

With a lack of prolactin, there is an abnormal development of the mammary glands. As a result, after the birth of a child, there is an insufficient production (or complete absence) of milk, and also menstrual irregularities are possible.

With insufficient testosterone production, the menstrual cycle is disturbed, frigidity develops, and malfunctions in the sweat and sebaceous glands occur. In severe cases, the development of renal failure.

With a lack of estrogen, a woman is threatened with menstrual disorders, spontaneous abortion, development of osteoporosis, the occurrence of benign breast tumors, cervical erosion , atherosclerosis, obesity, depression, as well as various autonomic disorders.

With insufficient production of progesterone, women often develop inflammatory processes in the uterus, abundant and painful menstruation, in case of pregnancy the risk of spontaneous abortion increases, the ovulation process is disturbed, and acne and boils appear on the skin.

Diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders in women

Due to the fact that any disturbance of hormonal background can lead to quite serious consequences, this condition requires mandatory correction. However, you should first find out the cause that provoked a hormonal shift. To do this, you need to consult an endocrinologist, as well as a blood test for hormonal status. It should be noted that such studies are carried out before menstruation and after (and, if necessary, during menstruation). Further, if after carrying out laboratory diagnostics a violation of the level of one or another hormone is revealed, additional research (ultrasound, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy, fundus examination, brain CT) is required to determine the cause of the imbalance.

Treatment of hormonal disorders in women involves the appointment of hormonal drugs that normalize the level of biologically active substances in the body (sometimes patients need their regular use). However, in the appointment of treatment great importance is attached to the normalization of diet and rest.

The dosage of the hormonal drug is calculated taking into account the weight, age and level of the hormone in the blood, and also without fail it takes into account the general condition of the patient and some minor factors.

Climax in women: symptoms, treatment, age

| 1st July 2015 | | 11 910 | Diseases in women