Female infertility today is an urgent problem, as it is being diagnosed more and more often. Among its main causes, doctors distinguish inflammatory and endocrine diseases, adhesive process in the small pelvis. The inability to conceive may be associated with ovarian failure syndrome. This is a disorder in which the sex glands stop producing eggs. It is not normal and requires medical attention.
Medical certificate
The ovaries are a paired organ that is an integral part of the female reproductive system. In them, the synthesis of sex hormones and the maturation of eggs occur. Their work largely determines the well-being of a woman, her appearance. The production of a certain amount of hormones occurs in the ovaries throughout life. Peak activity occurs during childbearing years.
Then comes menopause. It is accompanied by a natural decline in the reproductive function of the ovaries. Similar changes inbody occur quite naturally. Over time, not only the body ages, but also the genetic material itself. Age-related changes that occur in germ cells provoke numerous errors in DNA. Therefore, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome after the age of 40 increases exponentially.
Ovarian exhaustion syndrome is a pathology in which menopause occurs much earlier than the natural aging process of the body. It is usually diagnosed in women under 40 years of age. The syndrome is quite rare. According to statistics, an early involutionary process is found in one woman out of a hundred.
Why does the disorder develop?
Scientifically identified and practically confirmed some causes of ovarian failure syndrome. Pathology in most cases is detected in women who have a hereditary predisposition to it. Almost 25% of the fair sex who went to the doctor with a suspected illness have older relatives with a history of early menopause or later menarche.
Another and no less common cause of the syndrome is a congenital genetic anomaly. We are talking about the syndrome of three X chromosomes. Mutations at the gene level lead to it, the development of which begins in the prenatal period. If a woman abused alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, suffered serious illnesses, the likelihood of early menopause in her daughter increases several times.
Sometimes pathology is a consequenceautoimmune processes in the body. In this case, antibodies begin to attack the tissues of the ovaries, mistaking them for foreign bodies. We are talking about diseases such as lupus erythematosus and autoimmune generalized diathesis.
There may be other reasons for premature decline in reproductive function:
- chronic intoxication, including drugs;
- prolonged radiation exposure;
- previous infectious diseases (mumps, influenza, rubella);
- metabolic disorder;
- exhaustion of the body, anorexia;
- ovarian resection to remove a tumor or cyst.
Against the background of fading ovarian functions, the release of gonadotropins increases, creating the preconditions for the cessation of menstruation.
Clinical picture
Primary symptoms of the syndrome may appear as early as 37-38 years of age. At this age, the hypothalamic-pituitary system is still fully functioning, and the ovaries are no longer working properly.
The beginning of the pathological process can be recognized by the violation of the menstrual cycle. Allocations become scarce and gradually disappear altogether. If ovulation does not occur, then menstruation is also absent. However, a violation of the female cycle can be associated with pregnancy, hormonal failure or inflammation. Therefore, the final diagnosis should be made by a gynecologist from the antenatal clinic.
A few months after the cessation of menstruation, symptoms characteristic of menopause appear:
- Flashes of heat and sweating. Discomfortoccurs suddenly. Most often it is preceded by stress or a change in ambient temperature.
- Change in psycho-emotional background. The woman becomes excessively whiny and irritable. Libido also decreases, sleep is disturbed, and a tendency to depressive thoughts appears.
- Problems with the urogenital tract. Estrogen deficiency in the body leads to atrophy of the vaginal and vulvar mucosa. Sexual life becomes unpleasant due to constant dryness and itching in the intimate area. Exacerbation of chronic pathologies (colpitis, vulvitis, urethritis) is not excluded.
- Skin aging. The dermis very quickly loses its former elasticity, becomes thinner. Multiple wrinkles appear on the face and hands. Hair becomes dull and begins to fall out heavily.
- Metabolic disorders. In the blood, the concentration of not only sex hormones changes. Often, premature ovarian failure is accompanied by thyroid insufficiency. Sometimes type II diabetes develops. Some women have hyperandrogenism - a change in the body according to the male type due to an increased amount of testosterone in the body.
Without appropriate therapy, the symptoms of pathology progress rapidly, complicating a woman's life and her usual activities.
Being pregnant
Many women with ovarian failure syndrome are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant with such a diagnosis. It is definitely impossible to answer it, because everything depends on the cause of the pathology.
If the eggs remain in the ovaries, there is little chance of future conceptionare available. To do this, stimulate ovulation, and then resort to IVF. If the eggs are absent, it is not possible to become pregnant and give birth to a biologically native child. However, early menopause is not today an obstacle to conception. In this case, the woman is assigned an IVF procedure, but with a donor egg in the protocol.
Need for cryopreservation
Sometimes ovarian failure syndrome is diagnosed in young girls. Parents begin to sound the alarm, because the menstrual cycle is not established. As a result of examining the girl's body, the doctor may suspect this pathology or suggest its appearance in the future.
What to do in this case? Usually experts recommend cryopreservation of eggs. This procedure is the only way to give birth to a genetically native baby in the future. To date, methods have been developed for freezing and thawing eggs, which allow them to be stored for several years. The process itself does not damage the structure of biological material, does not affect its function.
Recommended medical examination
Diagnosis of the syndrome falls under the competence of a gynecologist. Therefore, if symptoms appear that indicate a disorder, you need to contact the antenatal clinic.
The standard examination scheme consists of the following activities:
- Interrogation and study of the woman's history. It is important for the doctor to know how menstruation proceeds, their rhythm and duration. Also taken into accountthe presence of childbirth and pregnancies in history.
- Inspection. Outwardly, a woman with a decline in reproductive function looks older than her age. She may have noticeable changes in her skin and hair. The gynecological chair usually reveals a decrease in the size of the uterus, vaginal dryness.
- A blood test for hormones. Usually, a decrease in the level of progesterone and estrogen is determined. At the same time, FSH, LH, and prolactin levels are elevated in ovarian failure syndrome.
- Ultrasound. In the course of an ultrasound examination, the syndrome is determined by the thinning of the endometrium, a decrease in the size of the ovaries, and the absence of follicles in them.
- Diagnostic laparoscopy. During this study, a specialist takes a biopsy of the ovary for subsequent study of its soft tissues in the laboratory.
Based on the results of the examination, the doctor confirms or refutes the preliminary diagnosis, if necessary, gives recommendations for treatment.
Features of therapy
Treatment of ovarian failure syndrome is carried out in only one way - hormonal drugs. Hormone replacement therapy is prescribed for all women under 50 years of age. At this age, menopause is already physiological in nature, so you can refuse to take medication.
All drugs and their dosage are selected by the doctor, taking into account the general he alth of the patient. Self-medication is strictly contraindicated. Most hormonal drugs have serious side effects.effects, which can only aggravate the course of the pathology. In addition, such treatment is not recommended for women with cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy involves taking drugs that contain estrogen. Today, doctors are increasingly prescribing natural remedies in minimal dosages. Therefore, the likelihood of side effects is reduced to zero. Examples of such medicines are the following: Divigel, Femoston and Proginova.
Additionally, the doctor may recommend symptomatic treatment. For example, phytoestrogens can normalize the emotional background. For the same purpose, sedatives are prescribed. Bisphosphonates can be taken to avoid osteoporosis.
Help of traditional medicine
Treatment of folk remedies for ovarian failure syndrome is chosen by many women. Properly selected herbal medicine allows you to gently restore the hormonal background through phytoestrogens. However, this method of treatment cannot be considered a panacea, and it should only be used after consulting a gynecologist.
When choosing prescriptions for therapy, it is recommended to pay attention to the following herbs: red brush, hogweed, sage. They contain natural phytoestrogens, which are so necessary for the female body in early menopause. To prepare a decoction, you need to pour a spoonful of dry raw materials with a glass of boiling water, strain. The drink should be consumed throughout the day with meals.
Traditional medicine can also be used inas a symptomatic treatment. For example, with frequent stress and nervous overexcitation, it is recommended to drink chamomile tea. At the same time, the amount of coffee or black tea should be reduced in the diet. No less useful beetroot juice with honey, rosehip broth. These remedies help to calm down and improve mood.
Other treatments
In addition to the generally accepted medical methods for the treatment of ovarian failure syndrome, a large role in the recovery process is played by:
- exercise therapy;
- acupuncture;
- relaxing massages.
Physiotherapy has a restorative and stimulating effect. After a course of treatment, metabolism in the whole body improves, blood circulation in the pelvic organs improves. Exercise relieves pain and invigorates.
Possible Complications
Neglect treatment for this pathology is not worth it. Otherwise, unpleasant consequences of the syndrome may appear. First of all, the body begins to age at a rapid pace. In young patients, the likelihood of myocardial infarction, arrhythmia increases. However, infertility is considered the most dangerous complication.
Against the background of ovarian failure syndrome, there is a violation of the process of calcium absorption. As a result, bone fragility increases. The development of early menopause adversely affects the sexual life of a woman.
Prevention Methods
Predict the onset of the syndromeovarian exhaustion is almost impossible. Some women experience this diagnosis at a young age (around 25-30 years old).
Pathology of a secondary nature most often develops against the background of diseases and exposure to negative factors that should be excluded:
- It is necessary to avoid exposure to the body of radiation and toxic substances.
- It is not recommended to take drugs uncontrollably, self-medicate.
- In case of irregular menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor and follow his therapeutic recommendations.
- It is strictly forbidden to diet and starve.
Women's he alth is largely subject to lifestyle. To prevent the development of early menopause, you need to reconsider nutrition. It is useful to play sports more often and have a good rest.
