Reveals the causes of infertility and disorders with the menstrual cycle
Gynecological endocrinology includes the analysis of a woman’s hormonal status in order to diagnose and treat endocrinological disorders that occur as a result of hormonal imbalance.
Hormones affect a large number of processes that take place in our body. We can call them chemical messengers in the body because they transmit instructions for dealing with the organs of our body.
Through the bloodstream, nerve endings or direct cell-to-cell contact, hormones reach various cells and tissues where they affect numerous metabolic processes, growth and development, sexual functioning, reproduction, mood, and the like.
Gynecological endocrinology includes the analysis of a woman’s hormonal status in order to diagnose and treat endocrinological disorders that occur as a result of hormonal imbalance.
The conditions and diseases that gynecological endocrinology deals with are:
In the treatment and treatment of various diseases and conditions, an analysis of sex hormones, hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal gland, ovaries, etc., is performed.
When hormones are in balance, physically, mentally and emotionally, we can function at full capacity. Hormonal balance contributes to well-being, vitality, health and even good looks.
Otherwise, if we are in a hormonal imbalance, it can have a negative impact on our overall health.
Many modern studies on the influence of hormones with regard to gender show that women are particularly sensitive to changes in hormonal balance.
Hormonal imbalance in women can cause changes in the menstrual cycle, difficulty achieving pregnancy, decreased libido, sudden weight changes, mood problems.
Understanding sex hormones and the phases of the menstrual cycle is crucial in detecting menstrual cycle disorders that can result in difficult pregnancy.
The menstrual cycle lasts between a minimum of 21 days to a maximum of 35 days, an average of 28 days.
In the first part of the menstrual cycle, from the first day of bleeding to ovulation, the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is increased, and just before ovulation, the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) increases.
Follicle-stimulating hormone acts on the secretion of estradiol (E2), the main hormone of the menstrual cycle.
Luteinizing hormone plays a key role in the ovulation process, releasing mature eggs from the ovaries into the fallopian tube.
LH also stimulates the secretion of progesterone, the concentration of which is highest immediately after ovulation.
If conception is absent, the uterine wall peels off and is excreted from the body in the form of menstrual bleeding.
If conception occurs, the level of progesterone rises and it plays a key role in stabilizing the implantation of the fertilized egg.
The most important role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle is played by estrogen and progesterone. In case of too high or too low concentration of any, disorders in the menstrual cycle occur.
Estrogen deficiency can cause:
Progesterone, in addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, plays a significant role during pregnancy. Progesterone concentration measurement is done to assess ovarian function and prove ovulation.
Progesterone deficiency can cause:
Conditions such as irregular menstruation, absence of menstruation, and difficulty conceiving fall within the realm of gynecological endocrinology research.
Most of the mentioned conditions are reversible, that is, by making the right diagnosis and starting treatment in a timely manner, it is possible to normalize the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
The level of sex hormones is determined by taking a blood sample. Before the test, it is necessary to follow all the usual instructions for blood collection.
The day before giving a blood sample, avoid heavy physical activity and intense exercise. Given that certain foods can affect hormonal values, it is necessary to be on an empty stomach before taking blood.
If you are taking regular therapy, you can normally take it on the day of blood collection, unless our doctor has advised you otherwise.
A blood sample to determine the level of sex hormones is taken with respect to the day of the menstrual cycle. In case of an irregular menstrual cycle, it is necessary to consult a gynecological endocrinology specialist about the period of blood collection beforehand.
The recommended blood sample for sex hormone analysis is:
Gynecological endocrinology involves analyzing hormone levels to control and regulate irregular menstrual cycles.
Menstrual cycle disorders can be frequent and heavy menstruation, absence of menstruation or bleeding between periods.
Sex hormones affect the development of the reproductive system in women and men. Female sex hormones are involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and fertility.
Women also have low concentrations of male sex hormones, or androgen hormones. Androgenic hormones are secreted by the adrenal gland and, to a lesser extent, by the ovaries.
The concentration of female sex hormones changes depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. In this sense, the imbalance of sex hormones causes disorders in the menstrual cycle.
The endocrinological system is very complex and diverse. Gynecological endocrinology is a complex field that requires a high level of expertise.
Given that hormones interact with each other, it is not enough to do an analysis of only a single hormone to find the cause of the disorder.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we apply a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach in order to make the right diagnosis and choose the best therapeutic method.
If ovulation is absent due to an imbalance of sex hormones, i.e. anovulation, then we can talk about the impossibility of conception. Ovulation disorders are among the most common causes of infertility.
Lack of ovulation is the cause of infertility in more than a quarter of women.
Chronic anovulation can be the result of a number of disorders in the body, from those that can only be changed by changing lifestyle habits to those that require serious hospital treatment.
As part of gynecological endocrinology, in addition to the concentration of sex hormones, it is necessary to check the levels of other hormones of the endocrine glands, not only the ovaries or pituitary gland, which may require additional gynecological tests.
Disorders in the secretion of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH), their imbalance, and the like. They can be the cause of a violation of the integrity and regularity of the menstrual cycle.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of female infertility.
About 1 in every 15 women worldwide suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome. This disease is characterized by a disturbed hormonal balance that causes chronic absence of ovulation.
Another hormone involved in conception and pregnancy is prolactin, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. In pregnancy, it affects the metabolism of the fetus and the mother, and after pregnancy it stimulates the secretion of milk.
Excessive levels of prolactin can cause infertility in both women and men. Chronically elevated prolactin values can prevent pregnancy.
Given that the levels of this hormone vary depending on external influences such as stress, prolactin values are most often monitored over a longer period.
An excessive amount of testosterone is also one of the causes of the inability to conceive, and can also indicate polycystic ovary syndrome.
Gynecological endocrinology takes into account the patient’s overall state of health, and in particular her hormonal status.
By analyzing the level of sex and other hormones of the body, a gynecological endocrinologist is able to detect possible causes of infertility , which affects an increasing number of couples today.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
