In the normal menstrual cycle, in the first phase, the ovaries produce estrogens for the development and release of the ovum from the ovaries, and the second for progesterone to regulate the thickness of the endometrium.
Causes of hormonal disorders in menopause
After 30 years in the ovaries, less estrogen is produced, and on the eve of menopause the level of progesterone decreases. Reducing the level of sex hormones can cause hormonal failure in the period of premenopause and with menopause.
The changed hormonal background in menopause can lead to the development of benign tumors of the uterus and ovaries, precancerous conditions, ovarian cysts and cancers, therefore any disorders should be treated very carefully, and female sex hormones can be prescribed for treatment only by studying the hormone levels. With menopause, not only the hormonal background changes, but also the woman's well-being, and treatment should take into account both the level of hormones and her general condition.
Hormonal changes with menopause - symptoms
First of all, with the climax, the interrelation between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus of the brain is broken, which causes disturbances in the work of the autonomic nervous system: night sweats, hot flashes, general weakness, palpitations.
Tides are accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, a sensation of heat and a rush of blood to the upper half of the body, noise and ringing in the ears. Sometimes these symptoms are combined with various psychological disorders: bouts of panic or anger, sudden changes in mood, increased irritability, sleep disturbances. Women can develop depression. In addition, during this period, all chronic diseases worsen, there are violations of the cardiovascular, endocrine system and internal organs, the musculoskeletal system (osteoporosis), which later become their diseases.
Diagnosis of hormonal disorders
The level of sex hormones with menopause decreases, and this is the norm for a woman. But female hormones during menopause disappear not immediately, and the imbalance caused by this decrease in the body can worsen the health and health of a woman. What hormones to take at a climax - will point in the direction of the doctor, usually determine the indices of such hormones in the blood with climax, as the ratio of LH / FSH: the less unity this ratio, the heavier the climax. Assign tests for these hormones with menopause, as their blood level rises, also determine the level of estrogens.
Treatment of hormonal disorders with menopause
After the doctor looks at the results of tests for hormones, with a severe course of menopause and various violations of work on the part of female genital organs, he can prescribe a substitution therapy for menopause. Usually prescribed female sex hormones: estrogens and progesterone. Specifically for menopause, combined drugs containing a low amount of sex hormones (up to 30-35 mg of estrogens and up to 50-150 mg of progestins) have been developed. Small doses of hormonal drugs can reduce the risk of side effects of hormone therapy.
In women who, according to the indications, the uterus has been removed, prescribe drugs that contain only estrogens, with the stored uterus hormones should be combined. But for the appointment of hormone therapy there should be no contraindications:
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism of veins now or in the anamnesis;
- oncological diseases not only of female genital organs, but also of any others;
- severe form of diabetes mellitus;
- severe violations of the liver and kidneys;
- bleeding of various etiologies;
- possible pregnancy.
It should be remembered that hormonal drugs have a number of side effects: edema, obesity, headaches, disruption of the liver and gall bladder, increased thrombogenesis.
If there are contraindications to hormone therapy or complications arise in the course of its application, then as a possible substitute for female sex hormones in menopause may use phytopreparations similar in their effect to sex hormones.