Hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism

Neuroendocrine disorders in women, leading to infertility, are the actual problem of modern medicine. The problem is not only medical but also social, including demographic importance. Infertility of neuroendocrine origin, according to the World Health Organization, is 35-40% (of all cases of infertility). Androgens - a male sex hormones, which are developed testicles in men and ovaries in women. In addition, both men and women, they produced the adrenal cortex.

Androgens influence the development of secondary sexual characteristics, but also regulate the growth and development of male sexual organs. They affect the metabolic processes, causing the so-called anabolic effect (stimulating effect on protein synthesis in the body). In the women's body androgens used as raw materials for the formation of female sex hormones estrogen, as well as the facilitation of ovulation (release an egg from the ovary for fertilization). In a large number of androgens on the contrary, delaying ovulation, so as not give the egg is fully mature. In addition, an excess of androgens inhibits the production of progesterone (the second female sex hormone, which plays an important role during pregnancy) that affect pregnancy and may cause miscarriage.

The normal number of primary androgen - testosterone in women is 0,2-1,0 ng / ml.

Causes of hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism or virilism - is the appearance in a woman's masculine traits. This happens as a result of excessive production of androgens. Excess androgens can produce both adrenals, and ovaries. In addition, an excess of androgens can result from metabolic disorders.

Adrenal hyperandrogenism may be congenital in nature, occur in diseases (including in tumors), pituitary gland (the main endocrine glands, which is located in the brain), with adrenal tumors. Ovaries allocate increased amount of androgens in the presence of polycystic them or tumor.

Some signs of hyperandrogenism may be the norm, for example, some people (including many of the Caucasian peoples). This is explained by the fact that they have an innate sensitivity of the skin to androgens.

As evident hyperandrogenism

Manifestations of hyperandrogenism - a male pattern body hair, baldness, changes in voice and physique, changing the properties of the skin.

Body hair or male pattern hair growth called hirsutism on the face and body in women: the hair may grow on the chest, back, arms and legs, as well as on the face. The growth of hair on the body combined with male-pattern baldness: from the temples and forehead. The voice also virilescent: it becomes lower. The skin becomes greasy, porous, and shows the acne. Changes the structure of the body due to the redistribution of fat: hips become more narrow, shoulder belt - wide. Mammary glands are reduced.

Menstrual function is broken, until the complete absence of menstruation (amenorrhea). Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism can lead to obesity and diabetes, such phenomena tend to occur when changes in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus (area of the brain that is responsible for regulating the activity of all glands).

Particularly fast these symptoms appear and grow in the presence of tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands.

In the development of hyperandrogenism in childhood begin an intensive growth of bone and skeletal growth of children ahead of their peers, but then the growth zone in the bones close, and the growth stops, as a result of such children are distinguished by low growth.

Diagnosis of hyperandrogenism

Diagnosis is based on determining the degree of hyperandrogenism, its source (the adrenals or ovaries) and the nature of the process (what kind of disease it caused).

A study of hormonal background of women, as well as ultrasound and X-ray examinations of the adrenals and ovaries. To clarify the nature of the process used a computer and magnetic resonance imaging, and in some cases, a laparoscopy (an introduction through a small skin incision in the body of a special apparatus - laparoscopy, which allows you to consider organ inside and take a piece of tissue for examination).

Treatment of hyperandrogenism

If hyperandrogenism caused a tumor, then it is removed. In other forms of conservative treatment is carried out: appointed by the drugs that suppress the production of androgens (eg, bisekurin, Diana). If the disease of "blame" the adrenal glands, for the regulation of their activities prescribed glucocorticoid hormones. Also effective therapy, which stimulates ovulation. In the absence of the effect of conservative treatment, surgical treatment is carried out, for example, removing part of the ovary with polycystic.

Forecast hyperandrogenism

Weather is usually favorable. Timely treatment can normalize all the functions. Worst of all body hair is treatable, but this is now possible to handle. Tumors that contribute to hyperandrogenism, usually benign and occur rarely recur after removal.

Remember: the most important time to see a doctor and in no case shall engage in self-medicate. Hormonal disorders, women - it is a separate very complex science, engaged in by specially trained doctors, gynecologists, endocrinologists.