How often a woman, when visiting a gynecologist or endocrinologist, especially if she has problems with her he alth, hears about the need to take hormonal tests. Where to run, how to hand over and what can you eventually find out with their help? You will receive a lot of information from the doctor based on the results obtained. Therefore, there is no need to spare time and money for such a thing.
What are hormones?
It is important to know that hormones are needed for the functioning of various cells and organs. They get there through the blood, lymph. They are also present outside the cells. These are, first of all, special substances that are produced by certain tissues and glands in each organism. Why are hormone tests for women so important? It's simple: their ability to bear children depends on it, namely the ability to become pregnant and bear a child. Remember that there are a large number of different hormones, each of which has the ability to change its indicator depending on any external and internal influences. Therefore, the doctor will tell you on which day of the menstrual cycle it is best to donate blood and how to do it (meaning,fasted or not). An analysis for hormones in women is taken from a vein.
How to properly prepare for a study?
Preparation for a blood test for hormones must be mandatory, since the reliability of the result directly depends on this. Laboratory research is carried out in the appropriate medical office, strictly on an empty stomach. After all, any meal, even drinking ordinary water, can significantly change the results. When you decide to take this test, remember what you need to do:
- At least a day before, do not have sexual intercourse, do not engage in active sports.
- Get rid of bad habits for a short time: do not drink alcoholic beverages (one day before the analysis) and do not smoke (about 1 hour).
- If you are taking or using topical preparations containing hormones, then be sure to coordinate this with the doctor prescribing this study for you. They can be canceled for a short time, or simply adjusted.
- Be sure to discuss the duration and regularity of your menstrual cycle with your doctor, as the analysis for female sex hormones is given on a certain day.
If these tips are not followed, the following situation may occur: the results of the study will be greatly distorted, the wrong drugs will be prescribed, and as a result, the treatment will be useless. And it will become insanely offensive for the wasted money and time.
Female sex hormones
There are many cases when you need to takefemale hormone tests:
- acne that worries many girls during puberty and after it, which does not disappear after applying even the latest skin care products;
- extra pounds often indicate a hormonal imbalance in a woman's body;
- a benign disease of the mammary glands, including such as fibrocystic mastopathy;
- unreasonable menstrual irregularity common in young girls;
- the inability to conceive and carry a baby, which has recently been exciting for the entire female population, i.e., the so-called infertility.
It is important to understand that the results of blood tests for hormones, in this case, sex, are always due to the correctness and literacy of their delivery. To do this, you need a doctor, you yourself cannot prescribe them. Let's designate some main types of female sex hormones:
1. Progesterone, estradiol: their delivery must be made either after the 22nd day of the cycle, or between the 5th and 9th day. Deviations in the level of this type of hormones leads to mastopathy, and in advanced cases, even to cancer.
2. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone: Your doctor will usually recommend checking your levels of these hormones, as too little or too much of them can lead to acne, excess weight and hairiness, menstrual irregularities, and eventually infertility. This hormone is recommended to be taken on the 8-10th day of the cycle.
3. Prolactin, luteinizing and follicle stimulatinghormones: in general, this group is responsible for the process of conceiving a child, i.e., the maturation of follicles in a woman’s ovaries, the appearance of ovulation, etc. This process is thought out to the smallest detail by nature, but any failure in the body of a future mother can disrupt her plans. You will try to pass them on the 5-9th day of the cycle, and some even several times. By the way, the FSH rate in women can vary significantly depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle:
- the stage when the girl is not yet capable of childbearing, i.e., menstruation has not begun (pre-reproductive age): the hormone value is in the range of 0.01-6.0 mIU / ml;
- menstrual phase (1-6th day): hormone value within 1.9-12.5 mIU/ml;
- follicular phase (3-14th day is the time when follicles mature in the ovaries): hormone value within 1.9-12.5 mIU/ml;
- ovulatory period (13-15th day, when the follicle enters the uterine cavity, and a mature egg leaves it after a certain time): the value of the hormone is in the range of 8, 7-76, 3 mIU / ml;
- luteal phase (time from the end of menstruation and the onset of a new one, on average about 15 days): the hormone value is in the range of 0.5-16.9 mIU / ml;
- stage of pregnancy: hormone value within 0.01-1.5 mIU/ml;
- postmenopausal phase, when a woman's menstruation ends: 15.9-54 mIU/ml.
Its level decreases in the presence of problems in the work of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, and increases during menopause, ovulation, and also in diseases of the ovaries. Note that FSH values often differ from each other if the testsconducted in different laboratories.
By the way, everything described above can serve as an example of how tests for certain hormones are decoded. It is quite difficult to describe this within the framework of one article, and, in principle, it is not necessary, because only a specialist can objectively assess the situation and correctly decipher the analysis. A woman only needs to strictly fulfill all his requirements and follow the recommendations of the doctor.
Male sex hormones
Above were the main types of female sex hormones. It is important to know that they are formed with the help of male counterparts of the same name (androgens), precisely due to the presence of such a hormone as testosterone in women. An analysis for it is also prescribed, first of all, by an endocrinologist. This can be due to numerous reasons: the inability to bear and give birth to a child, overweight and the presence of secondary sexual characteristics, such as hairiness in places uncharacteristic for a woman and acne. An analysis of hormones in women, in this case male, will show either a decrease or an increase. The first option will indicate poor kidney function, and the second - the presence of a tumor or deterioration in the functioning of the ovaries.
Thyroid hormones
Here the situation is clearer. Thyroid hormones are given in the event that there are problems in the work of the organ of the same name. Usually, the thyroid gland can disrupt its functioning in two directions: an increase - hyperthyroidism, or a decrease - hypothyroidism. Most often, the latter is replenishedtaking appropriate medications. Therefore, before taking the test, remind the doctor about the dose of the drug, which he will definitely correct. There are several main indicators that characterize the functioning of the thyroid gland:
- The amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): this hormone controls the overall functioning of the thyroid gland.
- The main hormone is thyroxine, which is further synthesized into free thyroid hormones T3 and T4. For those who closely monitor their he alth, it is important to note that the level of thyroxine in the human body depends on the amount of iodine that has entered it. Therefore, foods and vitamins containing this element should always be in your diet.
Pregnancy and hormones
Before the long-awaited baby is born, every woman has to go through three important stages: planning, pregnancy and childbirth. At all these stages, the hormonal background undergoes significant changes. In fact, all those mood swings familiar to us and weight gain in women in position are connected precisely with this. Let's analyze each stage separately:
1. Planning. Most often, they ask here to take an analysis for hormones in women who cannot become pregnant for a long time, have already had several miscarriages or missed pregnancies. Also, doctors recommend paying attention to this study to those women who want to have a baby, but are overweight or have excess body hair. After all, this indicates the presence of a large number of male hormones. Of course,it is better if a doctor prescribes them, he will carefully study your medical history, calculate the favorable days of the menstrual cycle for research, and perform such an action as deciphering the results of a blood test. Hormones in this case will be compared with the relevant standards in medicine.
Although hormones play an important role in the problem of conception, there is no need to dwell only on them. Of course, if there are deviations, it is necessary to drink those homeopathic or synthetic preparations that an experienced doctor will prescribe for you. And then look for other reasons and try to get pregnant again.
2. Pregnancy is a special state of the female body, because thanks to it you can soon experience the incomparable happiness of motherhood. In general, for those who have these wonderful nine months without problems and complaints, doctors do not prescribe such a study as an analysis of hormones in pregnant women. In other cases, it will have to be handed over. I would like to immediately note that the level of female sex hormones during pregnancy is significantly overestimated, and this is a completely normal condition. And what will be the deviation?
- A decrease in estriol will indicate problems in the growth and development of the fetus.
- Lack of progesterone in a woman's body often leads to her inability to bear a child on her own.
- Prolactin: the hormone that should be increased during pregnancy and after it, during breastfeeding, as it is directly responsible for this natural process. However, the rest of the time it should be normal, because an increase in itindicators will indicate signs of a pituitary tumor or infertility.
3. Childbirth and breastfeeding. Of course, after childbirth, a hormonal failure occurs in the body of every woman, as he was able to withstand the strongest emotional shock and no less difficult physical exertion. Therefore, during the first months of a baby's life, few mothers pay attention to their condition. Later, after the completion of breastfeeding, in the presence of such ailments as depression, overweight, brittle hair and nails, painful sensations during menstruation and much more, it is urgent to seek highly qualified help. It is a competent specialist who will offer you to pass hormonal tests. Types, principles of conducting them will be the same as in planning and pregnancy. But your further condition and he alth depends on the result and proper treatment.
Infertility - a sentence or a treatable disease
Probably, earlier this concept would have been deciphered precisely as a verdict for a woman who wants to become pregnant and give birth to a he althy baby. Now, in the context of developing modern medicine, aimed at improving demographics around the world, this problem has become easily solved. When a woman turns to a gynecologist with such a question, he first of all sends her to be tested for hormones in case of infertility. Often, it is the imbalance of the content of these special substances in the body that disrupts the entire reproductive function of a woman. Of course, more attention should be paid to those types that interfere with fertilization (LH, FSH, estradiol, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, DEA sulfate and all thyroid hormones). Do not forget that everyone gives up on a certain day of the menstrual cycle, the gynecologist will definitely remind you of this. As a result, the doctor will actually have in his hands a diagram of the work of your reproductive system, that is, all the genital organs. He can easily determine whether ovulation occurs, what are the most favorable days for conception. And if the cause is not hormonal imbalance, then the doctor will advise what to do next.
How to correctly use the results of the analysis of hormones?
It is important to understand that when we take hormonal tests, we need to do this under the strict guidance of an experienced specialist (endocrinologist), who can use their result in your favor, namely to improve he alth. There are a few unspoken rules for doing this research:
1. It is best to take this analysis several times, within 2-3 menstrual cycles. This is done, firstly, to eliminate the error of the laboratory that conducted the tests, and secondly, to identify patterns or an isolated case of hormonal failure in the body.
2. Based on the results of the study, do not just try to improve hormone levels, try, of course, together with your doctor, to find the cause that led to such consequences.
3. It is important that any deviations, even in the hormonal background, do not indicate the presence of some terrible diseases in the body.or dysfunction. There was just a failure, which is easy to eliminate if there is a competent doctor and the medicines that he will prescribe. For example, many women who have been unable to conceive for several years have had to take just one course of hormonal drugs, and everything turned out in a completely natural way.
Manifestations of hormonal failure
Along with other diseases, the process of excessive increase or decrease in hormonal levels may simply not be noticed.
Therefore, it is important to know, in order to react in time, the most basic symptoms of this imbalance in women:
- impossibility to get pregnant for a long time (after all, if a little time has passed, then you should not think that there are any problems with he alth) and bear a child;
- a sharp decrease or increase in body weight with an unchanged daily routine, schedule and diet;
- too much hair on a woman's body, especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe beard and mustache, where they should not be at all;
- prolonged state of depression and depression for no reason;
- painful and irregular menstruation, as well as their complete absence at the end of puberty in girls;
- underdevelopment of the mammary glands and uterus (which can be determined by ultrasound of the small pelvis when visiting a competent gynecologist);
- a state of apathy towards the outside world and a feeling of drowsiness that does not pass;
- excessive sweating of hands and feet;
- any acne that does not go away with usemodern cosmetics, and much more.
Girls, pay attention to the fact that an abortion at least once in your life can lead to severe hormonal failure. And this condition cannot be corrected by any doctor, even with the use of the best drugs. As a result, you will never have to get pregnant and feel the joy of motherhood.
Causes causing hormonal disorders
Of course, in the modern world, in conditions of disgusting ecology and constant stress, it is difficult for any woman to maintain her he alth in its original form. Therefore, it will be important to know about the existence of a number of reasons that can be easily avoided to normalize your hormonal levels:
1. Any infections that your body carries, especially sexual ones, leave a hidden indelible mark on its further work.
2. Excessive physical activity, including heavy sports, can lead, especially for the female body, to very sad consequences. For example, neglecting safety rules while playing sports during menstruation usually ends for a woman with uterine pathology, namely endometriosis.
3. Naturally, the previously noted unfavorable environmental situation in large cities does not bring any benefit to the he alth of the body.
4. Genetic predisposition, i.e., the transmission of problems with the hormonal background by inheritance. Then it is difficult for doctors to quickly correct the situation, they just have toprovide a supportive function.
5. Any protozoa, or so-called parasites, due to the waste products of their vital activity, negatively affect the body as a whole.
6. Diet-induced weight loss. When women force themselves to lose weight, their body's fat stores are reduced first. Therefore, they are provided with an imbalance of estrogen, because it is produced there.
7. Self-medication always ends badly. Remember that any hormonal drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor in accordance with your state of he alth.
8. One of the most common causes of all diseases in the human body is stress. Women who are accustomed to work, and to give birth to children, and to manage the household, have forgotten how to simply feel sorry for themselves.
9. Phytohormones, which are found in most harmful products, have the most negative effect on he alth. For example, a woman drinking beer will increase the amount of male hormones in her body.
10. Night shifts, as well as the lifestyle of the same name, lead to lack of sleep, depression and stress, and this, in turn, leads to hormonal disruptions.
Concluding, we can say that the analysis of hormones in women is quite informative. Thanks to the results obtained and well-conducted therapy, many of the fair sex once and for all get rid of he alth problems that could not be cured for several years. Therefore, trust the doctor, he will definitely help you.
