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 resulting from cyclic operation 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) take part in the metabolism, while influencing the synthesis and activity of most enzymes and proteins, accelerate the absorption of various substances in the intestine, maintain the normal structure of the skin, bone tissue and blood vessels. In addition, they increase blood coagulability, reduce the amount of harmful cholesterol and give a lot of other positive effects. Therefore, a decrease in the level of estrogen in the body of a woman can lead to various diseases. Progesterone from the group of female hormones of progestins (or gestagens) is synthesized by the ovaries, the cortical substance of the adrenals and the placenta from the circulating cholesterol in the blood. Like estrogen, this hormone plays an important role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, ensures the normal course of pregnancy and labor. In addition, progesterone takes part in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and also has a number of other physiological effects. 
Causes of hormonal disorders in women
Such female hormones, as estrogen andprogesterone, are extremely important for maintaining the health of the woman's body. And any negative factors can lead to an increase or decrease in their number. There are many different reasons that cause hormonal failure.
- 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 should be in a clear balance, because if their level changes in both large and small side, simply speaking, their imbalance is noted, this can lead to serious consequences. 
Symptoms of hormonal disorders in women
On a hormonal failure the organism of the woman is capablereact differently, and sometimes, it would seem, the usual manifestations may be the result of hormonal failure. To learn about possible disorders, you should read the list of symptoms that often indicate a 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 find several symptoms,indicating the violation of the level of hormones, it is necessary as soon as possible to seek medical help from an experienced specialist. In this case, you should visit a therapist and gynecologist. Diagnosis with hormonal failure consists in taking a general blood test and analyzing the hormones. 
Treatment of hormonal disorders in women
Treatment of hormonal imbalance is prescribedonly a doctor and you should not do self-medication, because only a specialist based on the clinical picture (your symptoms) and test results determine the level of what sex hormones should be normalized. Treatment of hormonal disorders begins with the identification of the cause that led to the occurrence of hormonal failure. It is necessary to eliminate the main factor that provoked the imbalance of hormones: taking hormonal contraceptives, using diets, stressful situations and so on. Otherwise, the effect of treatment will not be, since the hormonal background can again be disturbed. After eliminating the reasons, the doctor prescribes medical therapy to restore the balance of hormones and their further development. Hormones in tablets should be taken with caution and only as directed by a doctor. Only competent reception and the correct dosage of drugs that are intended for normal recovery and maintenance of sex hormones in the required quantity, guarantees an improvement in well-being. However, the main side effect of drug treatment is a sharp increase in weight, which is noted by many patients. An alternative in this case can be the reception of funds on the basis of natural components of plant origin. Such drugs are able to restore the hormonal balance, providing a more sparing effect on the body. This group includes homeopathic remedies and biological active supplements. The period of treatment will depend on the causes and severity of the hormonal imbalance. To fully restore the normal level of sex hormones in the body can go from several weeks to a year. Only preventive measures can prevent the appearance of hormonal imbalance.
Prevention of hormonal disorders in women
To avoid serious consequences associated withhormonal failure, it is necessary to undergo regular preventive examination and take tests. Also, whenever possible, it is necessary to avoid those negative factors that can provoke a violation of the amount of sex hormones. It is very important, when the first signs of a failure of the production of female hormones appear, immediately visit a qualified specialist. If this is not done on time, then the restoration of the hormonal background will take significantly longer. If you do not adhere to preventive measures, then there is a sufficiently high risk of very serious consequences. The consequences of hormonal disorders in women can be serious. Ignoring the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance can lead to such consequences as excessive body hair growth, obesity, infertility, breast cancer and other serious complications.
