Sex hormones affect not only reproductive health, but also the condition of the whole organism. Determination of their level in the blood is mandatory for cycle disorders, miscarriage, infertility and many other pathologies of the reproductive system.
These substances are very sensitive to various factors, therefore it is necessary to follow the rules of delivery. The day before, you need to exclude sex, alcohol, smoking, strong physical activity.
Stress influences a blood test for sex hormones, so he should give up in a state of complete emotional rest. The result may distort the use of certain drugs. Therefore, if a person takes any medications, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Sex hormones are given on an empty stomach in the morning. In women, their level depends on the day of the cycle, so the time of the study must be agreed with the doctor. If there are no special instructions, then the standard scheme is used.
Follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland. The first one is responsible for the development and growth of follicles. LH promotes the release of estrogen by acting on the ovaries. It also affects the yield of a mature egg and the appearance of the corpus luteum.
FSH increases in the following cases:
- insufficient ovarian function;
This leads to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. FSH decreases with obesity and PCOS (polycystic ovaries), against this background, menstruation may be absent.
LH rises in the following situations:
LH decreases in obesity, pregnancy, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, and genetic diseases. Its lack leads to the absence of ovulation and, accordingly, infertility.
Progesterone is produced mainly in the ovaries, a small amount is secreted by the adrenal glands. Until 16 weeks of pregnancy, it is synthesized in the corpus luteum, and then in the placenta.
Progesterone prepares the uterine mucosa for implantation of the embryo, and further prevents its rejection. It also stimulates its growth and affects the nervous system, preparing it for gestation and childbirth.
An insufficient amount of progesterone can cause infertility, miscarriages, and cycle disorders. Menstruation is sometimes completely absent. Progesterone is not enough in the following situations:
- chronic inflammation in the reproductive system;
- inferiority of the corpus luteum.
It rises during pregnancy, adrenal or ovarian tumors. In this case, cycle disorders and uterine bleeding may occur.
Prolactin is synthesized by the pituitary gland. Its main task is the development and growth of mammary glands, as well as lactation. At high prolactin concentrations, FSH release is inhibited.
Prolactin rises in the following conditions:
- impaired function or pituitary tumor;
- hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function);
- autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis);
This leads to the release of colostrum or milk from the chest, the cycle is disrupted, menstruation and ovulation may be absent, infertility may occur. Low prolactin levels may be due to pituitary insufficiency.
Sex hormone binding globulin is responsible for transporting progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone to target organs. With its decrease, the effects of these substances are enhanced due to an increase in their freely circulating shares at normal reference values. In this case, the effect of androgens increases more.
It is generally recommended that all sex hormones be determined. Because they are interconnected. Deviation from the norm of one hormone entails changes in the concentration of others. Therefore, only a qualified gynecologist-endocrinologist can detect the true cause of the disorders and prescribe treatment.
So, sex hormones primarily affect reproductive function and the reproductive system. They are interconnected, therefore it is desirable to determine the amount of all at once. Only a competent specialist can understand the results.