How often a woman, when visiting a gynecologist or endocrinologist, especially if there are problems with her health, hears about the need to pass hormonal tests. Where to run, how to take it and what in the end can you find out with their help? You will get a lot of information from the doctor based on the results. Therefore, you do not need to spare time and money for such a thing.
What are hormones?
It is important to know that hormones are needed for the work of various cells and organs. They get there through the blood, lymph. They also exist outside the cells. These are, first of all, special substances that are produced by certain tissues and glands in every organism. Why are hormone tests for women so important? Everything is simple: their ability to bear children depends on it, namely the ability to get 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, on an empty stomach or not). A hormone test for women is taken from a vein.
How to prepare for the study?
Preparation for a blood test for hormones must necessarily be, 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 analysis, remember what you need to do:
- At least a day before this, do not engage in sexual relations, 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 topically hormone-containing drugs, be sure to check with the doctor prescribing this study. They can be canceled for a short time, or their reception is simply adjusted.
- Be sure to discuss with the doctor the duration and regularity of your menstrual cycle, since 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, treatment will be useless. And it will be insanely insulting for the uselessly spent money and time.
Female sex hormones
There are many cases when you need to take tests for female hormones:
- harassing many girls during puberty and after it acne, which does not disappear after applying even the latest skin care products;
- extra pounds often talk about hormonal failure in a woman’s body;
- benign disease of the mammary glands, including such as fibrocystic mastopathy;
- common in young girls causeless menstrual irregularities;
- The recent inability of the entire female population to be able to conceive and bear a baby, i.e., the so-called infertility.
It is important to understand that the results of blood tests for hormones, in this case sexual, are always due to the correctness and literacy of their delivery. To do this, you need a doctor, you yourself cannot prescribe them. We outline some of the main types of female sex hormones:
1. Progesterone, estradiol: their delivery should be made either after 22 days of the cycle, or between 5 and 9 days. Deviations in the level of this type of hormone leads to mastopathy, and in advanced cases, even to cancer.
2. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone: usually the doctor recommends checking the level of these hormones, since a lack or excess of them can lead to acne, excess weight and hairiness, irregular menstruation, and later on to infertility. This hormone is recommended to be taken on the 8-10th day of the cycle.
3. Prolactin, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones: in general, this group is responsible for the process of conception of a child, that is, maturation of the follicles in the woman’s ovaries, the appearance of ovulation, etc. This process is thought out to the smallest detail by nature, but any malfunction in the body of the future mother able to 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 norm in women can vary significantly depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle :
- stage when the girl is not yet capable of childbearing, that is, menstruation has not begun (pre-reproductive age): the value of the hormone is in the range of 0.01-6.0 mIU / ml;
- menstrual phase (1-6th day): the value of the hormone in the range of 1.9-12.5 mIU / ml;
- follicular phase (3-14th day - this is the time when follicles mature in the ovaries): the value of the hormone is in the range of 1.9-12.5 mIU / ml;
- ovulatory period (day 13-15, when the follicle enters the uterine cavity, and a mature egg leaves it after a certain time): the hormone value 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 value of the hormone is in the range of 0.5-16.9 mIU / ml;
- stage of pregnancy: the value of the hormone in the range of 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 pituitary and hypothalamus, and increases during menopause, ovulation, as well as in diseases of the ovaries. Please note that FSH values often differ from each other if tests are performed in different laboratories.
By the way, everything described above can serve as an example of how the decoding of analyzes for certain hormones is carried out. It is rather difficult to describe this within the framework of one article, and, in principle, it is not necessary, because only an expert is able to objectively assess the situation and correctly decipher the analysis. A woman just needs to strictly fulfill all his requirements and follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Male sex hormones
The main types of female sex hormones were indicated above. It is important to know that they are formed using the same male counterparts (androgens), precisely due to the presence of such a hormone as testosterone in women. The analysis for it is also prescribed, first of all, by the endocrinologist. This may be due to numerous reasons: 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 impaired ovarian function.
Thyroid hormones
Here the situation is more clear. Hormones of the thyroid gland are given in case there are problems in the work of the organ of the same name. Typically, the thyroid gland can disrupt its functioning in two directions: increase - hyperthyroidism, or decrease - hypothyroidism. Most often, the latter is made up for by taking appropriate medications. Therefore, before taking the test, remind the doctor about the dose of the drug, which he will necessarily correct. There are several main indicators that characterize the functioning of the thyroid gland:
- The amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): it is this hormone that controls the overall functioning of the thyroid gland.
- The main hormone is thyroxine, which is subsequently synthesized into the free thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Those who carefully monitor their health, it is important to note that the level of thyroxine in the human body depends on the amount of iodine received in 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 that we are familiar with and gaining excess weight in women in position are connected with this. We will analyze each stage separately:
1. Planning. Most often, they are asked to take a hormone test for women who have not been able to get pregnant for a long time, have already had several miscarriages or missed pregnancies. Doctors also recommend paying attention to this study to those representatives of the fair sex who want to have a baby, but are overweight or excess hair on the body. After all, this indicates the presence of a large number of male hormones. Of course, it is better if a doctor prescribes them, he carefully examines your medical history, calculates the favorable days of the menstrual cycle for research, and performs an action such as decoding the results of a blood test. Hormones in this case will be compared with the relevant standards in medicine.
Although hormones play a significant role in the problem of conception, you don’t need to focus only on them. Of course, if there are deviations, it is necessary to drink those homeopathic or synthetic drugs that an experienced doctor will prescribe 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 had these wonderful nine months without problems and complaints, doctors do not prescribe a study such as a hormone test in pregnant women. In other cases, it will have to be passed. I would like to immediately note that the level of female sex hormones during pregnancy is significantly overstated, and this is a completely normal condition. And what will be a deviation?
- Decreased estriol will talk about 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.
- Prolactin: the hormone that must be increased during and after pregnancy, 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 its indicators will indicate signs of a pituitary tumor or infertility.
3. Childbirth and breastfeeding. Of course, after childbirth in the body of every woman there is a hormonal malfunction, since he was able to withstand the strongest emotional shock and no less difficult physical activity. 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, pain 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. The types, principles of their conduct will be the same as with planning and pregnancy. But on the result and proper treatment depends on your further condition and health.
Infertility - a sentence or a curable disease
Probably, earlier this concept would be deciphered precisely as a verdict for a woman who wants to become pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby. Now, in the conditions of developing modern medicine aimed at improving demography throughout the world, this problem has become easily solved. When a woman turns to a gynecologist with such a question, he first sends her to take hormone tests for infertility. Often, it is the imbalance in the content of these special substances in the body that violates the entire reproductive function of women. Of course, more attention should be paid to those species that interfere with fertilization (LH, FSH, estradiol, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, DEA sulfate and all thyroid hormones). Do not forget that everyone surrenders on a certain day of the menstrual cycle, a gynecologist will definitely remind you of this. As a result, the doctor in his arms will actually have a scheme of the work of your reproductive system, i.e., of all the genitals. He will be able to easily determine whether ovulation occurs, which 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 for 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 results in your favor, namely to improve health. There are several unspoken rules for this study:
1. It is best to take this analysis several times, during 2-3 menstrual cycles. This is done, firstly, to eliminate the error of the laboratory that conducted the tests, and secondly, to identify the patterns or singularities of the case of hormonal failure in the body.
2. According to 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. The fact that any deviations, even in the hormonal background, does not indicate the presence of some terrible diseases or dysfunctions in the body is fundamental. It just happened a failure, which is easy to eliminate with a competent doctor and those medications that he will prescribe. For example, many women who could not become pregnant for several years should have taken only 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:
- the inability to become pregnant for a long time (because if little time has passed, then you should not think that there are any problems with your health) and bear a child;
- a sharp decrease or increase in body weight with an unchanged daily regimen, schedule and diet;
- too much hair on the woman’s body, especially in the area of the beard and mustache, where they should not be at all;
- A prolonged state of depression and depression without any available reasons;
- 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 pelvis when visiting a competent gynecologist);
- a state of apathy to the outside world and a passing feeling of drowsiness;
- excessive sweating of the arms and legs;
- any acne that does not go away when using modern cosmetics, and much more.
Girls, pay attention to the fact that at least once an abortion made in your life can lead to a 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 of hormonal imbalance
Of course, in the modern world, in the conditions of disgusting ecology and constant tension, it is difficult for any woman to maintain her health in its original form. Therefore, it will be fundamentally aware of the existence of a number of reasons that can be easily avoided to normalize your hormonal background:
1. Any infections that your body suffers, especially genital infections, leave a hidden indelible mark on its future work.
2. Excessive physical exertion, including heavy sports, can lead to very sad consequences, especially for the female body. For example, neglect of safety rules during sports during menstruation usually ends for a woman with a pathology of the uterus, namely endometriosis.
3. Naturally, the previously noted unfavorable environmental conditions in large cities do not have any health benefits.
4. Genetic predisposition, ie, the transmission of hormonal problems by inheritance. Then it is difficult for doctors to quickly correct the situation, you just have to provide a supporting function.
5. Any protozoa, or so-called parasites, due to the waste of their life, adversely affect the body as a whole.
6. Weight loss caused by diets.When women forcibly force themselves to lose weight, the fat reserves of their body are primarily reduced. Therefore, an imbalance of estrogen is provided to them, 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 the state of your health.
8. One of the most common causes of all diseases in the human body is stress. Women who are used to working and giving birth to children and running a house have forgotten how to simply feel sorry for themselves.
9. Phytohormones, which are found in most harmful foods, have the most negative effect on health. For example, a woman drunk 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 and well-conducted therapy, many women will once and for all get rid of health problems that could not be cured for several years. Therefore, trust the doctor, he will definitely help you.