Why do we need sex hormones?
Sex hormones estrogens are involved in the processpuberty and are necessary for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, they are required to regulate the menstrual cycle, which is the result of the cyclical work of the ovaries throughout the reproductive period: from the onset of puberty to menopause (usually it lasts no more than 40 years). Estrogens (female hormones) participate in metabolism, thereby influencing the synthesis and activity of most enzymes and proteins, accelerate the process of absorption of various substances in the intestine, maintain the normal structure of the skin, bone tissue and blood vessels. In addition, they increase blood clotting, reduce the amount of harmful cholesterol and provide many other positive effects. Therefore, a decrease in the level of estrogens in a woman's body can lead to various diseases. Progesterone from the group of female hormones progestins (or gestagens) is synthesized by the ovaries, the adrenal cortex and the placenta from cholesterol circulating in the blood. Like estrogen, this hormone plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle, ensuring the normal course of pregnancy and labor. In addition, progesterone is involved in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and has a number of other physiological effects.
Causes of hormonal disorders in women
Female hormones such as estrogen andprogesterone, are extremely important for maintaining the health of a woman's body. And any negative factors can lead to an increase or decrease in their amount. There are many different reasons why hormonal imbalance occurs.
- Climax. The most common cause of hormonal failure in women age over 40 is the onset of menopause. At this time, the female body is rebuilt due to the fact that the ovaries stop producing eggs, which in turn affects the intake of the hormone estrogen.
- Sexual maturation. Hormonal failures are often observed in young girls during puberty, which is characterized by the formation of genital functions of the body. In some cases, the level of sex hormones in the body can come back to normal only after the girl becomes pregnant and gives birth.
- Pregnancy and childbirth. The happiest moment in the life of every woman, associated with the onset of pregnancy and the birth of a child can provoke the development of hormonal failure, and this phenomenon occurs frequently. However, after birth, the hormonal balance is stabilized, and the level of sex hormones comes back to normal.
- Admission of hormonal drugs. A large number of women and young girls use female sex hormones in tablets as contraceptives. The use of these drugs can provoke a hormonal imbalance. In addition to oral contraceptives, female hormones are found in some other medicines (for the treatment of dermatological diseases, neuroses, allergies, etc.).
- Stress states. Often, the violation of the level of sex hormones in the female body is preceded by frequent experiences and stresses. This may cause hormonal failure due to the fact that the central nervous system affects the endocrine system, which participates in the production of hormones. Therefore, the stronger a woman experiences, the greater the risk of hormonal imbalance.
- Wrong way of life. Here you can include a huge number of factors that affect the level of sex hormones. For example, the wrong regime of the day, when you sleep less than 8-10 hours a day, because of what you experience chronic lack of sleep for a long time. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol can cause hormonal failure.
- Incorrect food. Because of unbalanced nutrition, hormonal imbalance can occur. First, malnutrition is usually caused by diets, which are so manically used by modern girls. As a result of reduced intake of food, the female body loses useful substances in the right amount to produce certain hormones. However, not only diets can provoke hormonal failure: frequent overeating or improper food (fast food, instant food or excessively fatty foods) can cause various violations of the level of hormones.
- Excess weight. The increase in body weight, in particular obesity, significantly reduces the production of sex hormones in the body of a woman, which mainly affects the imbalance of these hormones.
- Gynecological diseases. Hormonal failure may be caused by some gynecological diseases. In this case, the body uses its strength to fight the disease, and not for the production of hormones. Previously performed gynecological operations and abortions can have a negative impact on the level of sex hormones.
- Infectious diseases. Catarrhal diseases, such as ARI and ARVI, can cause hormonal failure. It is proved that those diseases transferred in childhood can seriously affect the girl's hormonal background in the future.
- Physical exercise. Excessive physical activity can negatively affect the level of sex hormones in the female body.
Hormones must be in a clear balance, because if their level changes either up or down, in other words, their imbalance is noted, then this can lead to serious consequences.
Symptoms of hormonal disorders in women
A woman's body is capable of hormonal imbalancereact differently, and sometimes seemingly familiar manifestations can be a consequence of hormonal imbalance. To learn about possible disorders, you should familiarize yourself with the list of symptoms that often indicate hormonal imbalance.
- Malfunctions of the menstrual cycle. If you have an unstable menstrual cycle (frequent delays or even a complete absence of menstruation for a certain period of time), then this may indicate a possible hormonal disorder.
- Mood swings and unreasonableirritability. When you very often change your mood or it is almost always bad: you show aggression or anger, often break down on others (usually for no reason), succumb to negative emotions that are not characteristic of everyday life, this may be another sign of hormonal imbalance. Here you can include apathy and depressive states.
- A sharp increase in weight. With hormonal failure, a fairly common manifestation is the rapid mass gain of a body, regardless of what kind of food you eat. On the one hand, unbalanced nutrition can act as a direct factor in weight gain, and be a kind of catalyst for hormonal disorders, in other words, if you break the hormone level in the body, you can gain weight even if you are on a strict diet.
- Decreased sex drive. There are cases when hormonal imbalance reduces the sexual desire in young girls and there is a complete or partial loss of interest in sexual life.
- Sleep disorders and chronic fatigue. Violation of the hormone levels in a woman's body is often accompanied by a deterioration in the quality of sleep and a sense of fatigue. The dream becomes not strong, you often wake up at night or you can not sleep for a long time. You have a feeling of fatigue, even when you are not doing anything, that is, are at rest.
- Headache. Frequent attacks of a headache may indicate a possible hormonal failure.
- Hair loss. Another sign related to the violation of hormone levels in the body, both in girls and women, can be intense hair loss.
- Other symptoms. With hormonal imbalance, there may be other signs that are exclusively individual. Such signs include: myoma of the uterus, dryness in the vagina, fibrocystic formations in the chest and even the early appearance of wrinkles on the face.
If you have noticed several symptoms,indicating a hormonal imbalance, it is necessary to seek medical help from an experienced specialist as soon as possible. In this case, you should visit a general practitioner and a gynecologist. Diagnosis for hormonal imbalance involves taking a general blood test and a hormone test.
Treatment of hormonal disorders in women
Treatment for hormonal imbalance is prescribedonly with a doctor and do not self-medicate, since only a specialist can determine the level of which sex hormones should be normalized based on the clinical picture (your symptoms) and test results. Treatment of hormonal disorders begins with identifying the cause that led to the hormonal imbalance. It is necessary to eliminate the main factor that provoked the hormonal imbalance: taking hormonal contraceptives, using diets, stressful situations, etc. Otherwise, the treatment will not be effective, since the hormonal background can be disrupted again. After eliminating the causes, the doctor prescribes drug therapy to restore the balance of hormones and their further production. Hormones in tablets should be taken with caution and only as prescribed by a doctor. Only competent use and the correct dosage of drugs that are designed for normal restoration and maintenance of sex hormones in the required amount guarantees an improvement in well-being. However, the main side effect of drug treatment is a sharp weight gain, which many patients note. An alternative in this case may be taking products based on natural ingredients of plant origin. Such drugs are able to restore hormonal balance, having a more gentle effect on the body. This group includes homeopathic remedies and biologically active supplements. The treatment period will depend on the causes and severity of the hormonal imbalance. It can take from several weeks to a year to fully restore the normal level of sex hormones in the body. Only preventive measures can prevent the occurrence of hormonal imbalance.
Prevention of hormonal disorders in women
To avoid serious consequences associatedwith hormonal imbalance, it is necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations and take tests. Also, if possible, you should avoid those negative factors that can provoke a violation of the amount of sex hormones. It is very important to immediately visit a qualified specialist when the first signs of a failure in the production of female hormones appear. If this is not done in time, then it will take much more time to restore the hormonal background. If you do not adhere to preventive measures, then there is a fairly high risk of developing very serious consequences. The consequences of hormonal imbalance in women can be serious. Ignoring the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance can lead to such consequences as excessive hair growth on the body, obesity, infertility, breast cancer and other serious complications.
