Hyperandrogenism in women develops against a background of disturbed hormonal balance. In particular, due to one hormone. Moreover, it is not enough to know its name. Is it much more important to understand what it is - DHEA-S hormone? Let's try to figure it out. Simply put, this is a male sex hormone that can provoke both internal and external changes. However, this can be combated, and there are also certain signs of increasing the hormone DHEA-S in women.
Dehydroepiandrosterone in the beautiful half
A substance from a number of steroidal substances, most of which are produced by the adrenal glands, and the rest are taken by the ovaries. A serious excess of the concentration of this androgen in human blood may indicate that inflammatory processes occur in the adrenal glands. As a rule, a tumor gains momentum in the endocrine glands.
DHEA-S hormone, what is it? Sulfate is a chemical reaction gap. For the norm of the DHEA hormone and its formation, sufficient cholesterol is required. During the transition from the steroid species, estrogens are formed, in particular estradiol.
Depending on the norm of DHEA-S hormone, the basis for the release of the regulator changes. That is, with a low level, it is produced in the ovaries, and with an increased level in the adrenal cortex. The only way.
When DHEA-S hormone is elevated in a girl, this negatively affects the course of physiological processes. And also on adrenal function, general fertility, stability of the total mass and the state of the epidermis. If there are visible signs, you should immediately look for a woman in the cause of the increase in the hormone DHEA-S.
It is important to conduct an urgent scan of the adrenal gland in order to detect the presence of a tumor or other processes, if any.
DHEA synthesis
Since Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a multifunctional steroid hormone, it has an effect on androgen receptors. Its international name in the field of commerce is presteron.
DHEA-S hormone, what is it? Its synthesis in our body is carried out with the participation of the enzyme 17-alpha-hydroxylase. Pregnenolone, which appears earlier from cholesterol, is converted by this enzyme into 17-hydroxypregnenolone, which is formed in DHEA by the same enzyme.
The latter is influenced by other enzymes - steroidogens, and becomes androstenediol, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.
Value in the body
The rate of DHEA-S hormone affects many processes, including:
strengthening the immune system;
creating favorable conditions for normal accumulation of estrogen;
reduction of accumulations of bad cholesterol;
prevention of obesity;
regulation of libido;
maintaining the norm of the cycle of menstruation;
optimization of the functions of the sebaceous glands;
reduced risk of depression;
keeping the epidermis supple.
Women often believe that the release of male hormones is so insignificant that an increase in testosterone concentration has almost no effect. Although in reality an overabundance of steroid hormones leads to increased androgenism. And with all the negative consequences.
DHEA hormone norm
From nine to fifteen years old, the lower limit is 1, and the upper limit is 9.7. Further, the limits increase, and from fifteen to thirty the lower one is 2.4, and the upper one is 14.5. When a woman reaches the age of thirty years, androgen production begins to decrease, and from thirty to forty years the values are as follows: 1.8 to 9.7. And from forty to fifty: from 0.6 to 7.2.
In the future, the content of the substance decreases more and more and from fifty to sixty the norm varies from 0.9 to 3.3. All norm values were shown in µmol / L. It is better to check with your doctor in more detail.
During pregnancy, the rate of DHEA-S hormones in women is higher. During the first trimester, it is from 3.12 to 12.48, and in the second from 1.7 to 7. During the approach of childbirth, the level goes down: 0.09 and 3.7.
Causes and symptoms
When DHEA-S hormone is elevated in women, the causes are usually found in the gynecologist and endocrinologist's office. Typically, increased concentration occurs for the following reasons:
The lack of enzymes that inhibit the normal secretion of hormones, including steroid ones.
Syndrome and Cushing's disease. Tumor formation.
In the period from the twelfth to the fifteenth week of pregnancy, the placenta functions poorly.
Amenorrhea and Galactorrhea syndromes.
Polycystic ovary.
The development of a hormone-active tumor in the adrenal cortex, which produces the male hormone.
Addison's disease.
Oncological diseases affecting the balance of hormones.
Osteoporosis in a progressive stage.
Pathology in the pituitary gland.
Changes are usually noticeable with an increase in DHEA hormone in women. What it is is already clear. But it’s worthwhile to clarify that when it is elevated, excessive irritability occurs and nerves “play pranks”, physical strength and endurance increase, body hair grows where they should not be, tendrils above the upper lip also appear, acne and rash appear due to the worsened condition of the epidermis, the secretion of the sebaceous glands increases, the disturbed course of pregnancy, miscarriages or childbirth are possible before the deadline, optimal menstrual periods are violated, infertility may develop.
Deviation detection
After the patient talks with the doctor and the last one reveals signs of increased androgeny, there comes a time of problems with the DHEA-S hormone, when it is already necessary to take tests. An individual should also undergo research, including ultrasound and MRI.
The most important step for the doctor will be to determine the lifestyle, whether there are chronic diseases, an analysis of the time period during which the girl complains about the increased fatness of her skin, irregular menstruation, hirsutism, severe irritability and panic attacks, as well as problems with conception.
For an accurate assessment of the latter, it is necessary to refine the concentration of various hormones, that is: progesterone, dihydrotestosterone, thyroxine, free testosterone, FSH, LH, TSH and triiodothyronine.
Prepare for all this as follows: they take blood from a vein from the fifth to the seventh day of the menstrual cycle, it is mandatory on an empty stomach, drinking water is also not worth it for a more accurate analysis. Other procedures cannot be performed before analysis.
Sexual contacts, visits to the gym must be stopped a couple of days before visiting the laboratory. Nervousness must be prevented. Before the blood test for DHEA-S, the hormone must be removed from the diet smoked and fried foods, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol and strong coffee.
In case of a tumor
Normalization of androgen levels is now not possible without removing the cause of what caused the failure at the hormonal level. Using the results of tests on Dhea-so4, the endocrinologist selects the most appropriate treatment regimen.
With the development of the brain tumor process, the intervention of a neurosurgeon is necessary. Intervention with the removal of tumors in the brain and adrenal glands with a developed neoplasm is necessary, because the isolation of DHEA-S will not return to normal when the tumor is present in the body, since it produces additional production of steroids.
Very high levels of DHEA sulfate (over 800 μg / dl) can indicate the presence of such a neoplasm. In the event that the process is malignant, the patient undergoes a course of preventive chemotherapy in order to prevent metastases from forming. All this, of course, only after the neoplasm is removed.
Hormone therapy
This method of treatment is suitable for women of more mature age who do not want to have a child. Prescribe hormonal drugs in the event that the patient has contraindications to the treatment of the disease with the help of radial therapy.
After a complete course of hormone therapy, the concentration of steroid hormones returns to normal for a while, however, after a while it may again begin to increase.
The greatest effectiveness in terms of hormone therapy at the moment has been demonstrated by the Diana drug, since it contains the optimal concentration of antiandrogens. Moreover, a more pronounced effect is noticeable with the combination of Androkur and oral contraceptives.
Methods of struggle
In women after fifty years, the release of dehydroepiandrosterone decreases, and after a certain amount of time a natural decrease in the concentration of DHEA-S is likely. In the case of a benign or malignant tumor process, in no case should you delay the operation to remove the formation or hormonal treatment, especially when the process is malignant.
If the adrenal form of the hyperandrogenism disease has been identified, then the use of glucocorticoids (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone) in small doses will bring a good enough result. This will help stabilize hormone production. In the case of hirsutism in women, doctors detect adrenogenital syndrome in 2-4% of cases.
In order to normalize the level of hormones, the endocrinologist will advise the patient to stop eating fatty and fried foods in large quantities, as well as lower the level of smoked, red meat, leaves of greens, pickles and seafood in the diet.
Sports and hormones
Reducing the number of stressful situations and finding time for a good rest and proper sleep at night, as well as the rejection of serious physical exertion on the body and the abolition of anabolic steroids during sports, are all required when undergoing treatment for increased androgeny.
Optimization of your exercise regimen is another important factor that will certainly have an impact on androgenic indicators. Too much attention paid to the increase in muscle mass can lead to an increase in the level of testosterone in the blood, and this is the most active male androgen.
Too much thinning of the layer of fat to the minimum acceptable level can also lead to a lack of estrogen and infertility at the hormonal level. Even in the case of the correct functioning of the adrenal system, androgenital syndrome can appear, with increased release of steroids.
Hormone in the USA
With a Senate bill introduced in March 2009, an attempt was made to classify the hormone DHEA as a controlled substance in the category of anabolic steroids.
The customer was Iowa Republican Senator Gressley Charles. In turn, the co-customers at that time were the Illinois Democrats Senator and another Arizona Republican Senator, Richard Durbin and John McCain, respectively. This bill was sent to the Legislative Committee of the Senate.
In December 2007, Gressley Charles introduced his bill S. 2470 - The DHEA Abuse Reduction Act 2007, the essence of which was to amend the List of Controlled Substances. This would lead to the fact that products containing dihydroepiandrosterone could not, on the basis of the law, be sold consciously or create conditions for the sale of these products to persons who have not reached the age of 18, all this includes sales via the Internet.
However, with a prescription, such products would, of course, be sold. As a punishment, an exclusively non-criminal (civil) penalty system would be provided. This bill was read twice, and was also mentioned in the Legislative Committee of the Senate.
But it was never accepted, and today the sale of products containing dihydroepiandrosterone is legal, and such products are prohibited for use by participants in various athletic disciplines. But in Canada, you still need a recipe for the purchase of DHEA-products.
In other species
DHEA-S hormone, what is it? It is worth noting another curious fact. It is that both hormone and sulfate are produced by the adrenal glands only in representatives of the primates, that is, in lower and higher monkeys, as well as in humans. The order of this production is as follows: Cholesterol, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and DHEA.
The adrenal glands of other animal species, including mice and rats, are not able to synthesize this hormone. Moreover, some brain structures not only of lower and higher monkeys, but also of humans, but also of other animals are capable of synthesizing de novo DHEA and its precursors, which are defined as neurosteroids.
The fact is proved that Purkinje cells, which play a crucial role in the process of memory formation and learning, are the most important place of work in mammals and other vertebral neurosteroids.
In order to find out the age-related dynamics of circulating dihydroepiandrosterone, as well as other steroids in humans, studies of its concentration were carried out in various periods of postnatal formation. It was concluded that the peak of its concentration is the age of twenty-five to thirty years. After he goes down.
The cortisol level in the blood does not change with age, and this leads to an imbalance in the ratio of Dhea / cortisol. The crucial role of the hormone as a precursor to bioactive sex steroids such as testosterone, estrone and estradiol in peripheral tissues has been proven.