What causes hormonal imbalance. Hormonal failure in women. Symptoms and signs. Correction of hormonal failure

Many girls and women complain about the deterioration of sleep, bad mood, but I don’t want to talk about their appearance - the skin is dry, the hair is split and broken, and there is an unhealthy shine in the eyes. But no one associates these symptoms with the level of hormones, and after all, all important life cycles in the body are directly related to physiological changes and therefore a hormonal failure occurs, the symptoms of which are presented above. Therefore, one should not underestimate the normal state of this background, because the endocrine system can affect many functions of the central nervous system and regulate the proper functioning of all human organs.

If a woman has a hormonal failure, the reasons for this phenomenon are very different, but the most important factor is considered to be a low level of progesterone. The thing is, the female half of humanity produces hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone is considered a female hormone, and although the body produces these two hormones in the same amounts, it often happens that estrogen levels are higher than progesterone levels. And then the hormones go astray in their work.

This is influenced by the following reasons:

• ovulation does not occur in the female body. The ovaries cannot produce progesterone, and its level drops. And estrogen, on the contrary, becomes more, because the ovaries could not produce eggs that can be fertilized every month. All this adversely affects the hormonal balance;
• improper diet and strict diets. The female body simply needs enough fiber, but it is not found in all products, if a woman is on a strict diet, this leads to symptoms of hormonal failure;
• genetic predisposition. If there is a congenital defect of the hormonal system of the body, then against the background of such factors it is very difficult to cure hormone failures, because this will require a thorough examination and complex treatment;
• overweight and obesity. Fat ladies have a lot of excess subcutaneous tissue, and this directly leads to the withering of the hormonal background;
• infectious diseases. These are constant acute respiratory infections and tonsillitis in childhood and more serious diseases - chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea and many others that are sexually transmitted;
• strong physical activity. If they are also combined with strict diets and malnutrition, then this leads to an increase in the intervals between menstruation and a hormonal imbalance;
• disruption of the endocrine system. These are diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pancreas, which most directly affect hormonal failure in women;
• nervous breakdowns. Transferred stress or constant nervous tension also lead to such a state;
• abdominal or genital surgery. Of particular danger are artificial childbirth, during the operation there is a very strong failure of hormones and this can even serve as such a terrible diagnosis as infertility;
• a specific time period in a woman's life. The causes of hormonal failure can be such familiar periods in the life of any woman as sexual development, childbirth and pregnancy, as well as menopause. In certain cases, these conditions require adjustment or even serious treatment;
• female diseases. These include uterine fibroids, polycystic ovaries, breast cysts, and many others. Atherosclerosis, migraine and bronchial asthma can also affect the failure of hormones.

Signs and symptoms of hormonal disorders

It should be borne in mind that dysfunctions and many diseases caused by hormone failure are very difficult to treat. But if you know why a hormonal failure occurs, its signs and how you can deal with it, you can greatly facilitate such an unpleasant process. Symptoms of hormonal disorders can be very diverse.

Unstable and irregular menstruation

Periods become irregular, go for a very long time, or vice versa - they pass in a day or two. The nature of the discharge during menstruation also changes markedly - they are plentiful or very scarce. In some cases, menstruation does not happen at all for several months. This symptom is often present in girls with anorexia nervosa.

Malfunction of the central nervous system

A woman begins to get very nervous for no serious reason, depression and melancholy appear, her mood changes dramatically. Sometimes there are unjustified bouts of aggression and ladies often react painfully to those things that previously did not even deserve their attention. Premenstrual syndrome is aggravated, it is difficult and the woman is constantly nervous.

Rapid increase in body weight

Another sign of hormonal failure is unexpected weight gain and at the same time body weight cannot be corrected. Physical activity does not help to lose weight, and different diets do not help. Therefore, a woman recovers without obvious reasons, since it does not depend on nutrition and it is impossible to cope with such a phenomenon.

Decreased or no sex drive

Ladies become indifferent to sex, libido decreases or is completely absent. Sometimes there is even complete indifference to the partner, and there is no desire to enter into intimacy with him. His former caresses are annoying and do not bring effect. During sexual intercourse, the secretion of mucous secretion from the vagina is disturbed, and the sexual intercourse itself is sometimes painful and painful for a woman.

Deterioration of hair and nails

Some women notice that their hair has begun to fall out badly, the curls become dry, brittle and dull. With nails the same picture: they break, become grayish or yellowish and look ugly.

Rashes on the skin in different parts of the body

The main symptom of hormonal failure is considered to be a change in the skin on the chest, back and face. Acne often appears, the rash is not treated with anything. Sometimes thick black hairs begin to grow on the body, and this is very disturbing for a woman, because they look ugly.

Sleep disturbance and fatigue

Long-term insomnia may be present, a woman cannot fall asleep for a long time, and the dream itself becomes sensitive and disturbing. Increased fatigue was also noted, while strong mental and physical stress does not happen.

Reproductive disorders

This is the most difficult moment for any woman, because she cannot conceive and bear a baby. When hormones fail, there are miscarriages, fetal fading in the early stages of pregnancy and a long impossibility of fertilization.

When can a hormonal imbalance occur?

Symptoms of hormonal failure appear at different periods of life, both in women and men. Despite the differences in the structural features of the reproductive system, hormone failure causes almost similar symptoms in both sexes.

Disorders during puberty

In adolescence, for the first time, a girl is faced with changes in the background of hormones, because her body is being rebuilt from a child to a woman. The mammary glands begin to increase, the first menstruation comes and the like. And at this time, the hormonal system gives the first failure, this can serve as a delay in puberty or premature maturation.

It is worth noting that puberty may not be present.

If the girl's body lacks sex hormones, sexual development is delayed, and menstruation can begin at 16 or even later. This happens due to severe stress, various diseases or malnutrition.

Acne is the first sign of disorders, followed by headache, lack of sleep, irritability, irregular menstruation, and much more. If you notice that your daughter has become irritable, contact her doctor.

In many cases, it will be necessary to establish the correct daily routine for the girl and everything goes by itself. But in severe cases, hormonal drugs can be prescribed, which are taken clearly according to the instructions.

If puberty occurs earlier than normal and the girl is completely healthy, she does not need treatment.

In boys, hormones can also fail, early sexual development is associated with neoplasms of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. If there are pathologies of the adrenal cortex, then the failure of hormones is expressed in obesity and other signs of impaired metabolism. The fact that boys are delayed in sexual development is indicated by the fact that normal maturation is delayed by more than two years compared to the usual time.

The greatest likelihood of hormonal failure after childbirth or abortion

Hormonal problems after an abortion

If a hormonal failure occurs in a woman after an abortion, the symptoms of this pathology are not difficult to distinguish.

These include:

• weight gain;
• stretch marks appear on the skin;
• blood pressure and pulse are unstable, sweating is present;
• the woman becomes irritable, restless, complains of depression and headaches.

The earlier the abortion was done, the less risk for the woman, but the normal work of hormones is already confused during the surgical intervention itself. A month after the operation, the menstrual cycle should be restored, but if this does not happen, immediately go to the doctor. It may be that you need the appointment of hormonal drugs.

Problems after childbirth and recovery period

Not only during menopause, during pregnancy or at the time of puberty, hormones can fail. There are also hormonal imbalances after childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth for every woman is considered a great stress for her body, after the birth of a baby, the body returns to its normal state, and reverse changes occur in all organs and systems, especially the endocrine system.

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The hormonal balance must be restored in two to three months after the birth of the baby, but if this is not observed, then we are talking about a hormone failure. And if you feel that your pressure “jumps”, your head often hurts and feels dizzy, there is insomnia, irritability - do not leave it unattended. Signs of hormonal failure are also a decrease in libido, sweating and constant fatigue.

For an accurate diagnosis of hormonal failure after childbirth, you need to contact an endocrinologist. He will send you to take special tests for hormones and, based on the result, treatment is prescribed.

You should not let it take its course, because the consequences can be serious - there may be constant depression or problems with the production of breast milk.

The doctor will prescribe drugs that contain natural or artificial hormones. Mastodinone is often prescribed or recommended to take various nutritional supplements.

Climax and attenuation of reproductive function

Menopause is considered a special time period in the life of every woman, at which time the reproductive function fades. If, after 45 years, menstruation is not regular, but there is no severe bleeding and pain, this is considered a normal physiological phenomenon.

But most women at this age find it difficult to endure the onset of menopause. Symptoms of hormonal failure in women during the onset of menopause are various nervous disorders, disorders of the cardiovascular system. Migraines, jumps in blood pressure, depression, poor sleep, sweating attacks, especially at night, and much more are possible.

All these signs are associated with a lack of estrogen in the female body.

Provoking factors are smoking, physical inactivity, malnutrition and stress. With a pathological menopause, you must definitely consult a doctor, you may need to prescribe hormonal drugs.

Treatment should be prescribed by a specialist

Treatment of hormonal disorders with special drugs

If a hormonal failure is diagnosed, the treatment of this pathology begins with the identification of the cause that caused it. You will need to take a blood test for hormones, which will determine the condition of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland and ovaries. Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will prescribe therapeutic measures.

The following medications may be prescribed:

1. drugs containing artificial and natural hormones. These are Mastodinon, Klimaktoplan, Cyclodinon and others;
2. neuroleptics;
3. homeopathic preparations;
4. calcium preparations.

Treatment of hormonal failure for patients with increased body weight is prescribed only after normalization of weight. Much attention is paid to physical exercises, the correct regimen of the day. Useful herbal decoctions and infusions, fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to take vitamin and nutritional supplements. Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy is not treated, since the body after childbirth will bring hormones back to normal after its restructuring.

Now you know how and why hormonal failure occurs in women and in no case should such a situation be left unattended. Otherwise, irreversible consequences may appear in the form of complications from various organs, and this is very sad.

This material is for informational purposes only, before using the information provided, it is necessary to consult with a specialist.

The hormonal background for a woman is a very important element in her health, because it is the hormonal background that affects such indicators as weight, height, skeletal structure, skin structure and even hair color.

Hormones and hormonal background

Hormones are produced in a woman's body in many organs, and each hormone is responsible for a particular function of the female body. Hormones are produced:

• thyroid and parathyroid glands;
• adrenal glands;
• ovaries;
• pancreas;
• hypothalamus;
• pituitary;
• thymus;
• etc.

After hormones have been secreted by the glands, they are carried with the blood to various organs and have an effect on them, which affects the further functioning of the whole organism as a whole.

It is the imbalance of hormones in the female body that most often leads to a number of gynecological diseases and pathological conditions. In addition, with a hormonal failure, emotional and physical well-being changes.

Normally, in the body of a woman, both female and male hormones must simultaneously function, which must be in a balanced state. But with an imbalance of sex hormones, violations begin to occur.

Causes of hormonal disorders

First of all, hormonal disorders can be hereditary and genetically determined. In this case, the treatment will be long and difficult.

Stress and experiences. The central nervous system affects the proper functioning of the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones. Therefore, when the nervous system is overloaded with a lot of stress and tension, the risk of hormonal disorders greatly increases. In this case, the reproductive function suffers first - the process of maturation of the follicles is disrupted.

For the correct development of the hormonal system of a woman, any surgical operations in the genital area and peritoneum are dangerous. Therefore, the most common cause of hormonal diseases of the genital area, which lead to infertility, are abortions associated with curettage of the uterus.

Manifestation of hormonal disorders

• Hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction (obesity, cycle disorder, infertility);
• Sclerocystosis of the ovaries (the production of sex hormones is disturbed);
• Hyperandrogenism (an increase in the level of male sex hormones - a disease of the adrenal glands or ovaries);
• Hyperprolactinemia (mastopathy, pathological lactation, anovulatory infertility, hypoplasia of the internal genital organs).

Now let's take a closer look at the main hormonal disorders in women and their manifestations.

Menstrual irregularities

If a woman has hormonal disorders, then the presence of menstrual irregularities may also indicate this. This may manifest as a lack of menstruation, or a violation of the discharge - very scanty, excessively profuse, painful or short-lived.

To determine the presence of menstrual irregularities, its duration, regularity and general well-being of a woman should be taken into account. The normal cycle is from 21 to 35 days, the menstruation itself ranges from 2 to 7 days. The regularity of both the cycle and the duration of menstruation is very important. If there are fluctuations, then this indicates the presence of health problems, which can also manifest themselves in a violation of the hormonal background.

Also, hormonal disorders can be indicated by painful menstruation and accompanying symptoms in the form of a sharp increase or decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, bloating, swelling, loss of strength, and general malaise.

Weight and skin

Hormonal disorders in women very often manifest themselves outwardly. First of all, you should pay attention to your weight. Problems with weight are not only in the direction of increase, but also with a sharp loss of weight. After all, both excess adipose tissue and a lack of body weight reduce ovarian function. Hormonal disorders can appear on the skin in the form of acne, increased greasiness. This may indicate an excess of male sex hormones in ovarian dysfunction. This is also indicated by excessive hairiness. Stretch marks on the skin are also a sign of hormonal disorders in women who have not given birth.

Pregnancy

Very often, it is hormonal disorders that are the reason why a woman cannot become pregnant. This occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone progesterone, which supports pregnancy. It is precisely because of the lack of this hormone that a woman either cannot become pregnant. Usually, it is precisely because of its lack that a woman either cannot become pregnant at all, or the fertilized cell cannot stay in the uterus. Moreover, with a lack of progesterone, as a rule, the menstrual cycle does not change, so this hormonal disorder does not outwardly manifest itself.

Milk glands

You can determine hormonal problems by the condition of the breast. With a normal level of hormones, the breast should be normally developed, and not have any seals, there should not be any discharge from the nipples. In this case, the breasts may swell before and during menstruation, be sensitive, but not hurt. Excessive engorgement and soreness are the first signs of a lack of the hormone progesterone.

climacteric syndrome

Hormonal disorders can also occur during menopause. At a time when changes occur in a woman's body - the maturation of follicles and the process of ovulation stop - the production of hormones by the body occurs even after the cessation of menstruation.

If a woman does not have hormonal disorders, then the period of menopause, as a rule, occurs calmly, without complications. However, in the case of hormonal disorders, a climacteric syndrome is observed, which manifests itself in hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, depression, and increased blood pressure.

Treatment of hormonal disorders

For the treatment of hormonal disorders, a woman, first of all, needs to visit a gynecologist and an endocrinologist. Next, an examination will be scheduled to help identify hormone imbalances.

The treatment of most hormonal disorders in women is hormone therapy, which effectively eliminates the symptoms of the disease, helps restore the menstrual cycle and prevent relapses. But not always hormone therapy can be effective in the treatment of hormonal abnormalities, then the treatment will consist in surgical intervention (curettage of the uterus, laparoscopy), and only then hormonal drugs are prescribed to consolidate the results.

In the treatment of hormonal disorders, prevention is important. Therefore, it is so important for every woman to monitor her health, pay attention to the menstrual cycle, and if the delay is more than 35 days or the onset of menstruation is less than 21 days, if there is too much blood loss during menstruation or the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding, you should immediately contact a gynecologist - endocrinologist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

It is necessary to undergo preventive examinations by a gynecologist at least twice a year. This will help in time to identify possible problems at an early stage and to carry out treatment.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the normal state of the hormonal background, since the endocrine system has a decisive influence on many functions of the central nervous system (emotions, feelings, memory, physical and intellectual performance), and also participates in the regulation of the work of all vital organs.

Initially, "hormonal failure" was called the pathology of the endocrine system in women, which was clinically manifested, first of all, by menstrual irregularities.

Recently, however, more and more often the phrase "hormonal failure" is used to refer to various kinds of troubles associated with endocrine regulation disorders in men.

The fact is that, despite all the differences in the structure of the reproductive system, hormonal imbalances cause both men and women many similar symptoms that have a systemic manifestation (disorders of the central nervous activity, obesity, osteoporosis, the development of severe diseases of the cardiovascular system and etc.).

Causes of hormonal failure in women and men

So all the factors of hormonal failure in their origin can be divided into:
1. Causes associated with violations of the central regulation.
2. Causes due to the pathology of the peripheral glands (infectious and inflammatory diseases, congenital hypoplasia (underdevelopment), tumors, injuries, etc.).

Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, in turn, can be caused by its direct organic damage (severe traumatic brain injury, tumor, encephalitis), or by the indirect influence of adverse external and internal factors (chronic fatigue syndrome, general exhaustion of the body, etc.). P.).

In addition, the general hormonal background is strongly influenced by endocrine glands that are not directly related to reproduction. This is especially true of the adrenal cortex and the thyroid gland.

The causes of hormonal failure can be nervous or physical overexertion, acute infectious diseases, beriberi. According to statistics, practically healthy girls who study on an intensive schedule (lyceums, gymnasiums, etc.) fall into the risk group.

Clinically, JUB is uterine bleeding that develops in girls during puberty (usually within 2 years after the first menstruation), after a delay in the next menstruation for a period of two weeks to several months.

Such bleeding, as a rule, is profuse, and leads to severe anemia. Sometimes SMCs are not abundant, but long (10-15 days).

Severe rebleeding can be complicated by an imbalance between the coagulation and anticoagulation systems of the blood (DIC), against which the bleeding intensifies even more - this condition poses an immediate threat to life and requires emergency medical care.

Signs of hormonal imbalance in women of reproductive age

Amenorrhea

According to the mechanism of occurrence, they distinguish:
1. Amenorrhea of ​​central origin.
2. Amenorrhea associated with dysfunction of the adrenal cortex.
3. Amenorrhea caused by ovarian pathology.

Severe mental trauma, as well as physical exhaustion caused by prolonged illness or alimentary factors (prolonged starvation), can lead to amenorrhea of ​​central genesis. In addition, direct damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary system is possible in case of injuries, infectious-inflammatory or oncological processes.

In such cases, hormonal failure occurs against the background of nervous and physical exhaustion, and is accompanied by symptoms of bradycardia, hypotension, anemia.

Amenorrhea can also be one of the manifestations of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome. In such cases, hormonal imbalance leads to severe damage to many organs and systems. Patients have a very specific appearance: cushingoid obesity (moon-shaped purple-red face, fatty deposits on the neck and upper half of the body with atrophy of the muscles of the limbs), male-type hair growth, purple striae on the body. In addition, arterial hypertension and osteoporosis are characteristic, and glucose tolerance is reduced.

Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome indicates hyperproduction of hormones of the adrenal cortex, so its cause may be neoplasms that secrete these hormones, or pituitary tumors that stimulate the synthesis of steroids in the adrenal glands.

However, the so-called functional hypercortisolism (pseudo-Cushing's syndrome) is quite common, when the cause of hormonal failure is functional disorders of the neuroendocrine system associated with obesity, alcoholism, and neuropsychiatric diseases.

The most common cause of ovarian amenorrhea is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can occur under the influence of stress factors such as the onset of sexual activity, abortion, childbirth, etc. In addition to amenorrhea, the leading symptom of hormonal failure in PCOS is obesity, reaching the second or third degree, as well as male pattern hair growth (on the upper lip, chin, on the inner thighs). Very characteristic signs are also dystrophy of the skin and its appendages (stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, chest and thighs; brittle nails, hair loss). In the future, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders develop - there is a tendency to develop atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding

This disrupts the normal periodicity of the menstrual cycle, and there is a predisposition to malignant neoplasms of the endometrium. The ability to conceive and normal childbearing in women with DMC is reduced.

This kind of hormonal failure most often occurs after 30 years, but it can also develop in young girls. The causes of PMS are not fully understood. Hereditary predisposition is of great importance (the family nature of the pathology is often traced). Provoking factors are often abortions, severe nervous shocks, and infectious diseases.

Risk factors for the development of PMS are susceptibility to stress and physical inactivity (living in big cities, intellectual work, a sedentary lifestyle), as well as malnutrition, chronic gynecological diseases and lesions of the central nervous system (trauma, neuroinfection).

PMS got its name from the time of onset: symptoms appear a few days before the onset of menstruation, peak on the first day of menstrual bleeding, and disappear completely with the end. However, in severe cases, progression of PMS is observed - its duration increases, and light intervals are reduced.

Conventionally, all the symptoms of PMS can be divided into several groups:
1. Neurosis-like disorders: irritability, tendency to depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance (drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night).
2. Migraine-like syndrome: severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
3. Signs of metabolic disorders (swelling of the face and limbs).
4. Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia (lability of pulse and blood pressure, flatulence).

In severe cases, vegetative-vascular disorders proceed according to the type of sympathoadrenal crises (unmotivated attacks of fear of death, accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, ending in profuse urination). Such crises indicate the involvement of the adrenal medulla in the process.

Most women complain of hypersensitivity to smells and painful breast engorgement. Often there are violations from various organs and systems (pain in the heart, a slight increase in body temperature, itching of the skin, allergic manifestations).

Today, the list of symptoms of hormonal failure in PMS has exceeded 200 items, but psycho-emotional disorders are the most common. At the same time, depression is more characteristic of young women, and irritability is more characteristic of mature women.

Hormonal failure in women after an abortion

As a general rule, primiparous abortions are much more likely to have complications, regardless of the method of abortion. Of course, the earlier the intervention was made, the lower the risk.

But if we are talking about medical abortion, then in this case, hormonal failure occurs already during the intervention itself. That is why after a medical abortion, a course of hormonal therapy is required to restore the cycle.

Normally, the menstrual cycle should be restored a month after the abortion. If this does not happen, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In addition, the symptoms of hormonal failure after an abortion are:

• weight gain;
• the appearance of stretch marks on the skin;
• symptoms from the nervous system (irritability, headache, fatigue, depression);
• instability of blood pressure and pulse, sweating.

Hormonal failure in women after childbirth

Weight gain after childbirth during lactation is physiological - this is a side effect of hormones that stimulate milk production. Therefore, lactating women can only be advised to move more, and also to exclude easily digestible high-calorie foods (sweets, muffins, etc.). During lactation, diets are contraindicated.

As a rule, after a period of feeding, the weight gradually decreases as the hormonal background returns to normal.

If in the post-lactation period, despite dietary restrictions and normal physical activity, the weight does not return to normal, the presence of hormonal failure can be suspected.

Thus, it is necessary to consult a doctor in cases where, after childbirth and the end of the lactation period, the following symptoms are observed:

• unmotivated weight gain;
• signs of virilization (male pattern hair growth);
• irregular menstrual cycle, spotting bleeding between periods;
• symptoms of neurosis (headaches, irritability, drowsiness, etc.).

Signs of hormonal failure in women during menopause

However, the physiological decline of the reproductive function today is less common than the so-called climacteric syndrome - a symptom complex caused by hormonal failure.

By the time of onset, all the symptoms of pathological menopause are divided into the following groups:
1. Early - appear two to three years before menopause (complete cessation of menstruation).
2. Delayed - develop over two to three years after menopause.
3. Late - occur five or more years after menopause.

Early signs include the most characteristic symptom of hormonal failure in menopausal syndrome - the so-called hot flashes, which are bouts of heat, especially strongly felt in the face.

Other early symptoms of pathological menopause are in many ways similar to signs of a hormonal failure in premenstrual syndrome: psycho-emotional disorders (irritability, depression, fatigue), vegetative-vascular pathology (palpitations, blood pressure lability, pain in the heart), possible attacks of headaches resembling migraine.

Delayed symptoms are associated with insufficiency of female hormones - estrogens. Estrogen deficiency causes dystrophic lesions of the skin and its appendages.

These processes, as a rule, are most pronounced in relation to the mucous membranes of the female genital organs, and lead to the development of a complex of urogenital disorders (dryness of the vagina, lowering of its walls, pain during intercourse, discomfort during urination, urinary incontinence), in severe cases inflammatory processes (cystitis, vulvovaginitis).

In addition, increased dryness of the skin, brittle nails, and hair loss are often observed.

Late symptoms of hormonal failure in pathological menopause are signs of a gross violation of metabolic processes. The most characteristic are systemic osteoporosis, lipid metabolism disorders (vascular atherosclerosis) and carbohydrate metabolism (decreased glucose tolerance, development of type 2 diabetes mellitus).

The causes of hormonal disruptions in pathological menopause are not fully understood. However, the importance of hereditary predisposition has been proven. As provoking factors, stress, malnutrition, physical inactivity, bad habits (smoking, frequent alcohol abuse) are distinguished.

The risk group for the development of pathological menopause includes women with the following pathologies:
1. Neuroendocrine disorders: premenstrual syndrome, toxicosis of pregnancy and dysfunctional uterine bleeding in history.
2. Diseases of the central nervous system: neuroinfections, neurosis, mental illness.
3. Gynecological pathologies: chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, endometriosis.
4. Complicated obstetric history: abortions, miscarriages, difficult births.

Causes of hormonal failure in men

Interestingly, for the normal functioning of the male body, female sex hormones (estrogens) are also needed, so the blood of a healthy man contains more estrogens than the blood of a woman during menopause.

Clinical studies have proven that it is estrogens that provide normal libido (sexual desire decreases both with an excess and a lack of female sex hormones in men). In addition, estrogens are responsible for the normal maturation of spermatozoa and cognitive abilities, and also affect lipid metabolism. Another important function of estrogens is to ensure normal calcium metabolism in the bones.

Most of the estrogen in the male body is formed as a result of the transformation of testosterone in the liver and adipose tissue. Only a small percentage is synthesized directly in the sex glands.

In men, as well as in women, the regulation of the activity of the sex glands is coordinated with the help of a complex hypothalamic-pituitary system.

Thus, hormonal disruptions in men can occur as a result of direct damage to the testicles (congenital anomalies, trauma, infectious and inflammatory processes, etc.) and in violation of the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Accordingly, primary and secondary hypogonadism (primary and secondary insufficiency in the production of male sex hormones) are distinguished.

Secondary hypogonadism (hormonal deficiency of central origin) in men occurs for the same reasons as in women (tumors of the hypothalamic-pituitary zone, trauma, neuroinfections, congenital malformations).

In addition, hormonal failure in men may be associated with an increase in the formation of estrogen from testosterone. This often happens with chronic intoxications, when the metabolism of androgens in the liver is disturbed, and their transformation into estrogens increases (chronic alcoholism, drug use, professional contact with certain poisons, exposure to radiation).

Less commonly, male hormone deficiency can be caused by endocrine pathologies (hyperthyroidism), hormone-active tumors, severe liver and kidney damage that occurs with intoxication (uremia, liver failure).

Symptoms of hormonal failure in men

puberty

Premature sexual development (PPR) in boys is usually associated with neoplasms of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Also found constitutional early sexual development. With PPR, secondary sexual characteristics in boys appear before the age of 7-8 years, there is increased growth, which suddenly stops in adolescence due to premature ossification of bone growth zones.

There are also false PPR associated with the pathology of the adrenal cortex. In such cases, it is combined with obesity and other signs of metabolic disorders. A similar clinical picture develops when eating foods containing a large amount of hormones (milk and meat of animals stimulated with steroid drugs).

Sexual retardation (SPR) in boys is said to be when development is more than two years late compared to the average. Hormonal failure in such cases is most often associated with damage to the central nervous system (trauma, infection, intoxication, etc.), endocrine pathology (obesity, thyroid pathology) or severe chronic diseases that led to general exhaustion of the body.

When making a diagnosis of mental retardation, differential diagnosis with hypogonadism (primary or secondary) should be carried out, as well as the possibility of constitutional mental retardation (hereditary developmental features in healthy children) should be taken into account.

Symptoms of hormonal disruptions in men of reproductive age

• gynecomastia (breast enlargement);
• obesity;
• disorders of the nervous system;
• decreased libido, disorders in the sexual and reproductive sphere.

Signs of hormonal failure during menopause in men

With pathological menopause in men, as well as in women, symptoms of a violation of higher nervous activity come first:

• irritability;
• fast fatiguability;
• mood lability with a tendency to depression;
• tearfulness;
• low self-esteem;
• feeling of own uselessness;
• panic attacks;
• decrease in cognitive and creative abilities.

Hormonal failure is manifested by symptoms characteristic of relative hyperestrogenemia: the mammary glands enlarge, there is a rapid weight gain with fatty deposits according to the female type (on the abdomen, thighs, chest), often the type of pubic hair growth resembles a female, facial hair growth stops or weakens and on the body.

Dystrophic changes in the musculoskeletal system are rapidly growing: osteoporosis, muscle flabbiness and weakness develop, patients complain of pain in the joints and bones.

Violations of the cardiovascular system are very characteristic: pain in the region of the heart, palpitations, hypertension and atherosclerosis develop.

The skin becomes dry and atrophic, brittle nails appear, hair falls out.

Violations of the vegetative-vascular system resemble the symptoms of female menopause: hot flashes, excessive sweating are often found.

The development of pathological menopause in men is facilitated by diseases of the central nervous system (traumatic brain injury, neuroinfections, intoxication), pathologies of the endocrine system (obesity, thyroid disease), liver disease, unhealthy lifestyle (physical inactivity, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, smoking) .

To provoke a hormonal failure can be a strong prolonged nervous strain or a severe somatic disease. There is evidence of a hereditary predisposition to the occurrence of hormonal disruptions. In addition, men with a history of hormonal disruptions (delayed puberty, sexual dysfunction during the reproductive period) are at risk for the development of pathological menopause.

Diagnostics

In addition, it is necessary to exclude severe organic pathologies that often cause hormonal failure (hormone-producing tumors, severe lesions of the central nervous system, cirrhosis of the liver with gynecomastia, etc.).

Of course, differential diagnosis should be carried out between various neuroendocrine disorders (primary or secondary hypogonadism, hormonal deficiency or Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, etc.).

Treatment of hormonal failure

If the cause is unremovable (climacteric syndrome, primary hypogonadism), according to indications, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed.

Hormonal disruptions in women and men of the reproductive period can often be corrected by the course administration of hormonal drugs, in cases where they are not caused by a serious organic pathology.

Of great importance in the treatment and prevention of hormonal disruptions in women and men is a healthy lifestyle:

• correct daily routine;
• healthy eating;
• dosed physical activity;
• getting rid of bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug use);
• prevention of stress reactions.

16 Symptoms of Hormonal Failure Everyone Should Know to Take Action on Time - Video

Hormonal failure in women, the symptoms and signs of which are quite characteristic, is due to changes in the level of estrogen and progesterone.

These are the main hormones in a woman's body that regulate the work of many systems. They provide the appearance of menstruation, the growth of breasts and hair.

Thus, hormonal failure is a violation in the functioning of the endocrine system.

Hormonal disorders in women can occur for a number of reasons:

1. Adrenal or thyroid disease.
2. Diseases that are called organic lesions. This is encephalitis, brain injury, cancer.
3. Liver and kidney disorders.
4. Presence of sexually transmitted infections.
5. Wrong lifestyle: excess fatty and sweet foods, drinking alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise, stress.
6. Physiological changes: puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, abortion.
7. Heredity. This factor can be especially strong during menopause.

These are the main causes of hormonal imbalance in women, but there are others.

Several factors can affect the hormonal background at once.

Symptoms of a hormonal failure

What disorders can be associated with hormones?

Symptoms of hormonal failure in women can manifest themselves in violation of many systems in the body.

Among the main ones should be highlighted:

1. From the reproductive system: decrease or lack of attraction, development.
2. From the nervous system: irritability, irascibility, increased nervousness and tearfulness. A woman quickly gets tired, cannot concentrate, intellectual abilities decrease.
3. From the digestive system: metabolism is disturbed, a sharp weight gain can occur. Poor metabolism in a woman's body leads to the development of osteoporosis. This is due to a violation of calcium metabolism.

Often, hormonal imbalance in women leads to the development of serious diseases of the reproductive system - polycystic, uterine fibroids, malignant tumors of the ovaries or uterus, infertility, lack of sexual desire.

A number of pathologies appear that significantly reduce the quality of life: obesity, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis (the consequence is frequent fractures), the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Hormonal failure in women can cause chronic fatigue syndrome, which today is referred to as a disease.

Hormones affect a person's appearance: hair may begin to fall out (up to development), acne appears, the skin loses its smoothness and elasticity, swelling occurs.

Often a woman learns what a hormonal imbalance is during puberty. This happens around 12-16 years of age.

Signs of hormonal disorders at this age are as follows: absence or irregularity of menstruation, excessive hair growth, underdeveloped breasts.

A too painful premenstrual state should alert: the chest swells sharply, severe pain in the lower abdomen and in the head, poor health, mood swings, depression, irritability.

Rashes appear on the skin, weight jumps strongly, vision may be impaired. Hormonal imbalance in women can be characterized even by anemia and uterine bleeding.

A teenage girl who has experienced the influence of a hormonal imbalance has a “male” type of figure: she is tall, thin, with long arms and legs, and there is muscularity.

Puberty

It is characterized by too early onset of menstruation (even from the age of 4), a sharp jump in growth, breast enlargement.

The causes of hormonal failure in women at such a young age, most often, are the presence of ovarian tumors.

But early maturation can be a variant of the norm: for example, heredity has influenced. In this case, menstruation will come no earlier than 6 years.

Of course, it is always better to consult a doctor in order to exclude pathologies and hormonal disorders at the initial stage.

The reverse situation also occurs - delayed puberty. Its manifestations: small breasts and the absence of menstruation up to 15-16 years.

The hormonal system of a woman can fail. For example, the work of the pituitary gland can be disrupted or chromosomal damage can occur (Shereshevsky-Turner disease). In this case, we talk about pathology.

Late puberty may be a variant of the norm and is due to a genetic predisposition. Then menstruation occurs until the age of 18.

Today the problem of anorexia and bulimia is relevant. These are diseases caused by the desire of girls to be as thin as the models on the catwalk.

Because of this, they go on strict diets. These ailments are also the cause of delayed puberty.

Pathology in adolescence

One of the serious pathologies caused by hormonal imbalance in women at a young age is erased virilization.

In other words, this is the presence of male characteristics in girls. A hormonal disorder is expressed in the incorrect formation of the skeleton,.

Girls with hormonal changes may develop stretch marks, excess weight, and acne. The main causes of hormonal disorders that cause erased virilization:

• diseases of the adrenal cortex, ovaries;
• skull trauma;
• binge eating;
• viral infections;
• severe stress.

Even such a common phenomenon as chronic tonsillitis can lead to the disease. Outwardly, a girl who has problems with hormones looks healthy.

But she can be tormented by frequent headaches, jumps in blood pressure, and increased fatigue.

The second serious problem arising from hormonal disorders in women in adolescence is uterine bleeding.

Today it is a very topical disease: it accounts for 20% of all teenage pathologies.

Causes - viruses and bacteria, lack of vitamins, heavy loads (physical and intellectual), malnutrition. How to determine pathological discharge in a woman?

Often they manifest themselves as follows: there is a cycle delay (up to 2 months), and then heavy bleeding follows. It can last up to 2 weeks.

This is a very serious pathology, upon detection of which it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

He is engaged in the treatment of hormonal dysfunction in the female body.

Amenorrhea in reproductive age

One of the pathologies of the reproductive period is, in other words, the cessation of menstruation in women.

The fair sex is meant, in which the cycle should be physiological.

Excluded pregnant, breastfeeding, included in the period of menopause. There are 3 types of this disease in accordance with the cause of occurrence: malfunction of the ovaries, adrenal cortex or central genesis.

The first option usually happens to women who have recently given birth. They are at risk of occurrence.

Severe stress or the onset of sexual activity can also lead to such amenorrhea. In addition to the absence of menstruation, the disease can manifest itself as follows:

• overweight and stretch marks occur,
• the quality of hair and nails deteriorates,
• vegetation appears above the lip, on the chin, on the inner surface of the thigh.

This is a condition that leads to the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Nowadays, it is not difficult to cure polycystic ovaries. Modern medicine has a large arsenal of tools - these are hormonal pills, vitamins.

A woman is able to help herself by organizing a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, sports, good sleep.

Those women who turn to the attending physician in a timely manner manage to get rid of the disease and restore hormonal failure.

The cessation of menstruation, caused by a malfunction in the functioning of the adrenal cortex, is most often one of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.

It is characterized by obesity in certain areas - the neck, face, upper body. Associated symptoms are stretch marks, osteoporosis, high blood pressure.

The third type of amenorrhea is associated with the appearance of disorders of central origin. Symptoms of hormonal failure in women in this case are as follows:

Pathological bleeding in reproductive age

Another common pathology in women after 30 years is uterine bleeding. They can be expressed in two ways.

The first- Gradually increasing duration of discharge (up to a month). This type is called anovulatory.

Second option- the appearance of menstruation after a long delay (up to 2 months). The abundance of secretions at the same time alternates. This type of uterine bleeding is called ovulatory.

Treatment for hormonal failure in women after 30 years of age is carried out both by medical methods (hormonal drugs, vitamins) and surgically.

Nutrition needs to be adjusted. Examination of the endocrine system is carried out.

It occurs due to disturbances in the production of hormones by the hypothalamus. Specialists who study this phenomenon see the main reason in heredity.

But there are other factors: infections, abortions, diseases of the nervous system, stress, lack of physical activity.

If you play sports and get rid of bad habits, you can minimize the risk of diseases. Signs of premenstrual syndrome:

• the occurrence of swelling;
• insomnia;
• irritability and nervousness;
• fatigue;
• nausea and headache;
• digestive problems (heaviness, flatulence);
• jumps in blood pressure.

Violations during menopause

Menopause occurs after 40 years. This condition is characterized by the following symptoms: nervous system disorder, depressive mood, irritability, frequent headaches, increased fatigue.

The menstrual cycle first becomes irregular and then stops forever. Another manifestation is hot flashes, that is, the onset of heat.

Changes in women also occur in appearance: nails become brittle, hair dull, skin dry. But these are not the most serious problems.

In women after 40 years, it can be severely disturbed. This leads to diabetes, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis.

All of these changes are symptoms of a pathological menopause. At risk are women who have had abortions, miscarriages and problems during childbirth, various pathologies (infections, and nervous systems).

If you take a responsible approach to your health, play sports, eat right, you may not face such problems after 40 years.

According to doctors, lifestyle is of decisive importance. Therefore, go in for sports, provide yourself with a normal sleep, recuperation after a hard day's work, exclude junk food and alcohol, do not smoke.

This is necessary in order not to experience health problems by the age of forty, which greatly affect the quality of life.

Folk remedies for hormonal failure

Folk remedies for treating hormone-related diseases include herbs, tinctures, vitamins.

When starting to solve the problem at home, it is important to know that the treatment of folk remedies is not recognized as traditional medicine.

However, in the adult body, hormones play a very important role. Thus, the presence of a greater amount of the hormone estrogen than androgens indicates belonging to the female sex and determines the presence of corresponding sexual characteristics. Not only health, but also the mental state of a woman, her attractiveness and resistance to stress can depend on a lack or excess of one or another hormone. Mastopathy, various fibroids and cysts in the mammary glands, uterus and ovaries may indicate a serious hormonal imbalance in a woman. At the same time, the balance between the main female hormones - estrogen and progesterone - shifts in favor of one of them.

Symptoms of hormonal failure in women

The appearance of severe headaches for no apparent reason, insomnia, a sharp increase or decrease in pressure, frequent dizziness should alert any woman, because they may indicate a hormonal failure in the body. Hormone problems are also indicated by fatigue, excessive sweating, a jump in weight towards weight loss or fullness. Other signs of hormonal failure in women can be irritability, nervousness, or vice versa, indifference to everything and even depression. Serious problems with hair growth also speak of this problem. With a hormonal failure, both in girls and in mature women, such extremes as excess hair on the body or excessive hair loss on the head up to the formation of bald spots can occur.

Each hormone has its own distinct role in the female body. So, a decrease in estrogen production is manifested in general wilting and the onset of menopause. Symptoms of a hormonal failure in the form of its lack will be memory impairment, a sharp increase or loss in weight, loss of skin elasticity, the appearance of acne, inflammation, stretch marks, as well as swelling on the legs, body and face, painful periods. In addition, estrogen prepares a woman for becoming a mother in the future, influencing the proper development of the female genital organs. Under its action, already in adolescence, such sexual characteristics appear as hair in the armpits and in the groin, a wide shape of the pelvis, an increase in the size of the mammary glands, and a change in the size of the uterus. At the same time, fat cells are distributed according to the female type in the chest, hips and buttocks, which generally gives the figure a rounded shape. A sufficient amount of estrogen in women is manifested in regular periods, and one of the signs of a lack of this hormone can be infertility. In girls, start
starting from adolescence, its deficiency can cause a slow development of the mammary glands, genital organs, even the skeleton, a prolonged absence of menstruation.

Signs of hormonal failure in girls and women

Another important hormone for women is called progesterone. Often it can be called the hormone of pregnancy, because it is he who contributes to the good fixation of the egg in the uterus after fertilization and the successful bearing of the fetus. At other times in a woman's life, this hormone is responsible for maintaining psychological and emotional balance throughout the monthly cycle. Symptoms of hormonal failure in girls in the form of a lack or excess of progesterone can be sudden mood swings and inexplicable nervousness in her behavior. An imbalance of progesterone also manifests itself in excessive soreness of the breast during menstruation, mood swings, various menstrual irregularities, as well as vaginal bleeding, and during pregnancy it can be reflected in complications of its normal course and even lead to a breakdown.

Hormonal imbalance after childbirth

A special role is played by estrogen and progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman and after childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth are a big hormonal “shake-up” for the entire female body. At the same time, the level of both hormones seriously increases, and with it the mammary glands increase in size, the likelihood of frequent mood changes in a pregnant woman and various “whims” increases. In addition, a high level of progesterone also stimulates appetite and helps to accumulate fat and muscle mass. Interestingly, every woman feels a similar effect of progesterone not only during pregnancy. In the second phase of the menstrual cycle, when there is an increase in the amount of progesterone compared to estrogen, many notice an increase in appetite and some weight gain, although not as significant as during pregnancy. Immediately after conception and during the next almost 10 months of bearing a child, a lot changes in the body of the expectant mother. If conception has occurred, and there is a lack of progesterone in the body, the woman’s body, figuratively speaking, does not understand that it is necessary to prepare for pregnancy, then the egg will not be able to properly gain a foothold in the uterus, and after the onset of a new monthly cycle, the body will reject it.

For some time after childbirth, progesterone and estrogen continue to remain in an increased amount, in addition, the action of the hormones oxytocin, which is responsible for contraction of the uterus and returning it to normal, and also contributes to the normal course of breastfeeding, and prolactin, which is actually responsible for the production of breast milk, increase. milk. These female hormones will regulate milk production until the end of breastfeeding. Hormonal failure after childbirth, even with the right diet, can lead to serious weight problems, which manifests itself in severe weight loss or excessive weight gain. It is also worth thinking about hormonal problems if breastfeeding has already stopped, and the menstruation that has begun is too plentiful and painful or lasts more than 7 days.

Causes of hormonal failure

Since the female body works in a cyclic mode for a significant part of her life, during each such monthly cycle, estrogen and progesterone increase and decrease in their amount alternately every two weeks. Both an excessive amount and a lack of one of these hormones instantly manifest themselves externally and internally.

Hormonal disruptions often accompany the onset of menopause, when the formation of eggs in the body of women over 40 almost stops and estrogen production decreases. However, today there is the occurrence of hormonal disruptions in girls. An imbalance of hormones can occur due to the peculiarities of the ovaries, with a short interval (less than 10 days) between ovulation and the onset of menstruation. Chronic inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system, improper medication can also cause hormonal failure. An abortion can end with the most unpredictable consequences for the hormonal background. Subsequently, it can turn into a mass of gynecological diseases, and they will not always appear immediately after the intervention. Sometimes hormonal disruptions begin several years after an abortion.

In modern society, hormonal failure is often preceded by some kind of stressful situations and strong experiences, but in fact everything is interconnected in the body, and disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system can also lead to disruption in the production of hormones. A stressful lifestyle, chronic fatigue syndrome, and poor nutrition, such as overeating or gaining too much weight, all combine to cause severe hormonal imbalances.

Treatment of hormonal failure in women

In the treatment of mastopathy, uterine myomas and fibromas, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, one of the most important components is systemic diagnostics, including hormone analysis. Often, surgery will not be able to guarantee that these diseases will be cured completely if they are caused by disruptions in the balance of estrogen and progesterone. In such cases, the only way out will be complex treatment, when the root cause of the disease is eliminated.

For the prevention and treatment of hormonal failure, a variety of drugs are used that contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens, the structure of which is similar to human ones), or those that have a progesterone base, including some means of preventing pregnancy. However, it is recommended to take them only on the advice of a doctor. If some of the signs of a lack or excess of hormones have become noticeable, you should consult a doctor who will select an individual treatment regimen and tell you in detail how to treat such a hormonal failure. If the imbalance is not too significant, the doctor will most often suggest taking a course of vitamins E and A. As you know, vitamin E is not much like estrogen in its action and can to some extent relieve such symptoms of estrogen deficiency as dry mucous membranes, depression and apathy , hot flashes, increased sweating and mood swings characteristic of menopause. In addition, vitamins E and A prevent the occurrence of dry skin and improve the condition of hair and nails, play an important role in the nutrition of the skin and mucous membranes. Certain oral contraceptives, which will contain estrogen and progesterone in the right ratio, may also be prescribed in the treatment of hormonal imbalance. It must be remembered that the abuse or misuse of such contraceptives can manifest itself in a serious hormonal imbalance. For example, self-administration of contraceptives containing a large amount of progesterone and its analogues for therapeutic or contraceptive purposes will contribute to weight gain.

How to treat hormonal failure correctly?

Before prescribing this or that drug for the treatment of hormonal failure in women, a doctor may recommend taking a blood test for hormones. Any analysis must be taken correctly, since in the second half of the monthly cycle, the concentration of progesterone increases, and in the first half - of estrogen. When prescribing an analysis for progesterone, the doctor will definitely tell you on which day of the cycle it is best to take it. With a regular cycle, such an analysis is usually carried out a week before the onset of menstruation, and with an irregular cycle, measurements will have to be taken several times.

If we are talking about a lack of estrogen, then you can slightly increase its level with the help of certain foods, for example, soy and soy products, as well as other legumes, vegetables and fruits such as carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts, eggplant. It must be remembered that too large portions of these products can cause an increase in the amount of hormones, which again has negative consequences.

Today, many women in a rush to work and daily bustle do not pay due attention to their bodies and do not even pay attention to obvious signs of hormonal failure, such as irregular and too painful periods, bleeding between periods, swelling of the breast and the appearance of seals in it. It must be remembered that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat, and at the very beginning, even minimal treatment can completely solve the problem. At the same time, a delay in solving the problem of hormonal failure can lead to a number of diseases that may require serious intervention.