All processes in the body are regulated by special substances - hormones.
The main hormones that control important changes in the female body are estrogen and progesterone.
The normal processes of puberty, the menstrual cycle, the reproductive function are their sphere of influence.
In addition, the general condition of a woman, her mood, appearance, sleep, and performance depend on the ratio of estrogen and progesterone.
There are two more hormones produced in the female body - prolactin and testosterone, but they manifest themselves at certain points and under certain conditions of the body.
In addition to sex hormones, there are others that play an important role in well-being, mental state and life, regulating the functions of not only the sexual, but also the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal systems. These include hormones of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the pituitary gland.
Under hormonal failure in women, the pathology of the endocrine system was originally meant, in which menstrual irregularities first occurred. But in fact, any imbalance in the work of the endocrine system and a violation of the ratio of hormones leads to a variety of consequences and, accordingly, a large number of diseases. According to statistics, about 80% of women suffer from hormonal disruptions, but many of them attribute this to physical activity or existing diseases.
Hormonal failure in women - causes
If earlier it was believed that hormonal disruption was the prerogative of "ladies of Balzac age," now this pathology is much younger and occurs at any age. In addition, hormonal failure is not always the result of pathology. Often - this is a manifestation of physiological changes in the body resulting from:
- puberty;
- pregnancy and childbirth;
- menopause;
- genetic predisposition (primary amenorrhea - complete absence of menstruation).
If we are not talking about physiological disorders, then hormonal failure in women is a consequence of the disease, and the causes can be varied:
- sexually transmitted infections;
- other infectious and general diseases of the body;
- various pathology of the thyroid gland;
- the consequences of abortion, other medical or diagnostic instrumental interventions;
- stresses;
- excessive physical activity;
- overwork;
- overeating.
There are many other reasons leading to the development of hormonal breakdown in women. In each case, the doctor finds this out at the reception, so that when prescribing treatment, he can influence the cause of the imbalance or eliminate it.
Hormonal failure in women - symptoms
A variety of symptoms that many women do not associate with the development of a hormonal breakdown can occur simultaneously or occur in a certain time interval with individual complaints and the corresponding clinical picture.
The main symptoms of hormonal breakdown in women:
1. Menstrual irregularities:
- a delay of more than 35 days or less than 28 days is considered pathological;
- copious or meager discharge is also not the norm.
2. The eternal feeling of fatigue and fatigue during normal sleep and rest.
3. Inability to fall asleep, despite overwork and drowsiness.
4. Decreased or complete lack of sexual desire.
5. Often changing mood for no apparent reason, tearfulness, irritability.
6. Weight gain in the absence of overeating and a normal diet.
7. Frequent excruciating headaches.
8. Hair loss, dry skin, acne.
There are still some manifestations of various pathologies in women, which they rarely associate with hormonal breakdowns. But the occurrence of such symptoms indicates a hormonal imbalance and requires a more thorough examination by specialists. These include:
1. Repeated fractures, which may be the result of a violation of the formation of parathyroid hormone.
2. Unreasonable increase in body weight: in addition to the hormonal malfunction associated with the production of sex hormones, the imbalance of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which produces the thyroid gland, can be disturbed. With an excess of this hormone, hypothyroidism develops, one of the symptoms of which is increased body weight. Accordingly, with its lack - hyperthyroidism - a person loses weight.
3. Increased fluid intake due to constant thirst is the result of impaired pancreatic insulin synthesis. This leads to the development of diabetes mellitus - a very serious pathology that can be treated for years, and sometimes requires lifelong reduction drugs.
4. Sudden palpitations, increased blood pressure - this may be due to the production of a large amount of adrenaline (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands). To correct it, you need to devote more time to rest and relaxation, if possible, abandon bad habits.
5. A variety of malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, which were mentioned above, are associated with a violation of the metabolism of prolactin - a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and in a small amount by the endometrium. His increased education can lead to infertility in women. Normally, prolactin regulates the lactation and development of the mammary glands.
6. A decrease in libido indicates a low level of estrogen. Normally, a decrease in estrogen in the body can occur after 35 years. If this happens earlier - this is an occasion to see a doctor.
7. An increased amount of hair on a woman’s body indicates a high level of testosterone in the body. Testosterone is a male sex hormone present in women in small quantities and is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in the fetus during pregnancy. The cause of the imbalance of testosterone may be the use of steroids or some antihypertensive drugs.
Hormonal failure in women can occur in different ways, sometimes it manifests itself with the whole variety of the clinical picture, sometimes with separate, certain, very unpleasant symptoms. In some women, this is dryness in the vagina, in others - the formation of fibromyomas, various cysts in the ovaries, mammary glands, in many - a sharp appearance of wrinkles and withering of the skin. Perhaps a sharp exacerbation of premenstrual syndrome, which was not previously observed, accompanied by pain in the chest, joints, increased irritability and distraction.
The appearance of these symptoms of hormonal failure in women should be a signal for an immediate visit to a specialist who will diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment to avoid further serious complications.
Diagnosis of hormonal failure in women
Diagnostic methods vary depending on the symptoms of hormonal failure, objective status data upon examination. For diagnostics are used:
- blood tests for hormones (depending on clinical symptoms);
- Ultrasound of the uterus with appendages, the thyroid gland (also depending on the prevailing symptoms of hormonal failure in a woman);
- hysteroscopy;
- laparoscopy.
Hormonal failure in women - treatment
Treatment of hormonal failure in women is prescribed after the examination, depending on the identified causes of the imbalance. It is aimed at eliminating the causes and normalizing the identified violations.
1. Conservative treatment.
- In cases of menstrual irregularities, hormonal drugs are prescribed to restore normal levels of hormones. Since all these drugs have many side effects, and sometimes they take indefinitely, self-medication is unacceptable. The doctor must, when appointing, evaluate all the risks of side effects in each case. Most often, oral contraceptives are prescribed, single-phase or biphasic.
- Complex drug therapy includes mandatory vitamin therapy: vitamins A, E; trace elements: calcium. They improve the quality of hair and nails, regulate the level of progesterone and estrogen.
- Hormone replacement therapy.
- "Mastodinon", "Cyclodinon" regulate the menstrual cycle.
- "Klimadinon" eliminates unpleasant symptoms in menopausal disorders.
2. Surgical treatment.
Surgical interventions are performed according to indications in cases where drug treatment does not give a result (tumors, fibromas, fibromyomas at certain stages, etc.).
3. Treatment of hormonal failure by alternative methods.
Traditionally, many, when they detect symptoms of hormonal failure, instead of contacting a specialist, begin to be treated independently with folk remedies. It must be understood that such treatment can only be an addition to the main one, which the doctor should prescribe.
Medicinal herbs can be used to stop certain symptoms of hormonal failure and take a short time, using standard instructions for preparing decoctions or infusions:
- for pain and copious uterine secretions, horsetail and St. John's wort are effective in the form of infusions;
- with meager, but prolonged menstruation, you can use sage, oregano;
- remove decoction of menopause will help decoctions of motherwort and plantain;
- for the prevention of premature birth helps elecampane in the form of a decoction.
Hormonal failure in women - prevention
Prevention of hormonal failure in women involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eliminating factors that can lead to an imbalance in the body. For prevention, it is necessary:
- Avoid bad habits;
- establish proper nutrition;
- mode of work and rest:
- A visit to the gynecologist at least once a year, even in the absence of complaints;
- pay attention to your health, all violations of menstruation;
- mark all cycles in the calendar so as not to miss the development of violations;
- try to avoid stressful situations.
Following these rules, hormonal imbalances and their complications can be avoided.
