Heavy age: hormones and adolescent behavior. What to do for women with hormonal imbalance Hormonal imbalance in a 14-year-old girl

In the female body, besides many others, two sex hormones are produced: progesterone and estrogen. When the amount in the blood is in balance, then women's health is in order.

But if the production of the female hormone progesterone decreases, the production of the male hormone estrogen increases accordingly. This fact has a destructive effect on all body functions. This can manifest itself not only in excess weight and bad skin, but also in the development of serious diseases.

Hormonal disruption can most often occur as a result of physiological processes in the female body:

• puberty;
• menopause;
• pregnancy;
• childbirth;
• abortion.

But there are other factors in the development of hormone imbalances.

Causes of hormonal disruption

1. Diseases of the reproductive organs. If the ovaries do not produce enough progesterone, then this leads not only to infertility, but also to disruption of all functions.
2. Diets, irregular meals, lack of nutrients. If the female body does not get enough vitamins and minerals, but this destructively affects all functions. This can happen due to poor nutrition and strict diets. Instead of the desired weight loss, a woman may gain excess weight due to impaired metabolism.
3. Heredity. Imperfection of the hormonal system can be congenital. In this case, it is necessary to contact a specialist and begin serious treatment.
4. Excess weight. An excess of subcutaneous tissue provokes metabolic disorders.
5. Frequent colds and chronic diseases. Infectious diseases transferred in childhood can be reflected in the life of an adult girl by metabolic disorders. This item includes not only acute respiratory infections, but also serious sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
6. Heavy physical activity. If a woman is engaged in power sports or works hard physical labor, then all this negatively affects the hormonal background. If, at the same time, a woman is also malnourished, then her periods may stop and serious illnesses develop.
7. Endocrine Disorders: diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas.
8. Stress and nervous tension. With frequent stress, the work of the central nervous system is disrupted, which controls all functions, including hormonal ones.
9. Operations and complications after surgery.
10. Taking hormonal drugs. Long-term use of contraceptives can disrupt the natural production of hormones. Such drugs are found not only in birth control pills, but also in other medicines. You should carefully study the instructions and consult your doctor.
11. Wrong way of life. These include: irregular daily routine, lack of sleep (less than 8 hours), chronic fatigue, lack of fresh air, alcohol and smoking.

How to recognize this serious ailment in order to start treatment on time?

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women

Typical signs in women:

1. Violation of menstruation. These can be delays for a long period or a sharp change in the amount of discharge.
2. Weight gain. If a woman does not radically change her diet, but at the same time begins to recover rapidly, then the alarm should be sounded.
3. Mood swings. Irritability, tearfulness, unreasonable aggression, anger, depression are signs of hormonal imbalance.
4. Decreased libido. If a girl loses interest in sex life, this is a serious reason to think about her hormonal background.
5. Headaches, migraines.
6. Chronic fatigue: rapid fatigability, as well as sleep disturbance.
7. Hair loss, brittle nails and problem skin. Intense hair loss can be caused not only by stress and poor nutrition, but also by hormonal imbalance. Acne, oily skin is typical for teenagers. During this period, the formation of the hormonal system occurs, which manifests itself in small imperfections on the face.
8. Other symptoms of an individual nature: early aging, breast tumors, diseases of the genital organs. If a woman has found at least 2-3 symptoms listed above, then she should contact a gynecologist and endocrinologist for a detailed examination of her health.

Critical periods of the female body

As already noted, hormonal imbalance can most often happen at certain times. To prevent this phenomenon and minimize its manifestation, it is necessary to consider in more detail each period in a woman's life.

Hormonal disruption in adolescent girls

For the first time, a woman encounters such a disorder during puberty. This is usually 11-14 years old. At this time, the girl "turns" into a girl. She begins to form mammary glands, the first menstruation begins.

During this period, hormonal disruption in girls can occur. This can manifest itself in premature maturation or vice versa - delayed sexual formation.

With a delay in puberty, menstruation can occur at 15-16 years old. The reason for this may be improper diet, stress, frequent infectious diseases.

The main "side factor" accompanying hormonal imbalance in adolescence is acne. If the girl is generally healthy, then acne can be quickly cured in the beauty parlor with the help of drying masks, liquid nitrogen and other procedures.

But if irritability, aggressiveness, lack of sleep and menstrual irregularities are added to the problem skin, then this is a serious reason to contact the doctor with the child.

In a healthy teenager, minor manifestations of hormonal imbalance can be adjusted by the correct daily regimen, balanced nutrition, good sleep, and taking vitamin complexes.

At this age, parents should be considerate of their daughter. Very often girls need a warm family environment, close communication with their mother, understanding. You should be patient and become your child's best friend. A warm attitude towards your daughter will be rewarded many times over. After all, happy is the person who was able to raise good and worthy children!

Hormonal disruption after childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth is the most important period in a woman's life. During this time, she releases many different hormones. If a girl before pregnancy did not have serious illnesses and led a correct lifestyle, then after childbirth she recovers very quickly without side effects within 2-3 months.

However, childbirth and pregnancy can often disrupt the functioning of various systems. Childbirth is a great stress for the body and the endocrine system "suffers" from this most of all.

Symptoms of hormone imbalance appear as follows:

• unstable mental background;
• weight gain;
• pressure surges;
• decreased libido;
• problems with lactation.

If the recovery period has lasted more than six months, then you should contact an endocrinologist. The doctor must order the delivery of tests, and then prescribe the appropriate drugs.

Gaining weight after pregnancy is normal. With a healthy lifestyle, the weight will return to normal very quickly. Losing weight with hormonal imbalance can be done with the help of fitness and the correct diet. Sports and diet can be started no earlier than 6 months after childbirth. After all, intense exercise and eating restrictions can destructively affect milk production.

You need to lose weight after giving birth only by consulting a doctor so as not to harm yourself or your baby!

Hormonal disruption after abortion

In the overwhelming majority of cases, after an abortion, a woman experiences a hormonal imbalance. This can be explained as follows: for the development of the fetus, various hormones are actively released into the blood of a woman, which ensure the vital activity of both the future baby and the mother. But the abrupt termination of this physiological process gives rise to a failure in the hormonal system.

This is manifested by the following symptoms:

• sharp weight gain;
• hypertension;
• sweating;
• hair loss;
• problems with skin, nails;
• frequent headaches, depression, nervous breakdowns.

Abortion is always a threat to women's health. The earlier it is made, the less negative consequences. If the surgery went well, then a month later the woman has her period again and she has a chance to become a mother again. Unfortunately, in many cases, after an abortion, you have to recover for a long time, taking hormonal drugs.

Abortion is especially dangerous for girls who have not given birth. He threatens the most terrible consequence for a woman - infertility.

Climax - attenuation of reproductive function

Attenuation of reproductive function begins after 45 years. Menstruation becomes irregular and all sexual functions gradually fade away.

In most cases, menopause is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

• disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• insomnia;
• sweating;
• mood swings;
• pressure surges;
• headaches and migraines.

All these symptoms indicate a lack of estrogen production. It is possible to reduce the manifestation of all the "delights" of menopause by healthy eating, good rest, and a good psychological atmosphere. In difficult cases, hormonal imbalance has to be treated with special drugs. All this should be prescribed by a doctor and a medicine, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

How to repair hormonal disruption

Starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the imbalance of hormones. To do this, the doctor prescribes the delivery of blood tests to identify their quantity produced by the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and ovaries.

After receiving the results, treatment is carried out with drugs that contain natural and artificial hormones:

• Mastodion;
• Cyclodinone;
• Climactoplane;
• Yarina;
• Regulon;
• Novinet;
• Lindineth.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe antipsychotics, homeopathic preparations and vitamin complexes.

What to do in case of hormonal disruption? If the failure of hormones is accompanied by an increase in body weight, then it is imperative to work in the appropriate direction. It is necessary to revise your diet and, under the supervision of a doctor, start eating right. Exercise is an essential part of weight loss. Thus, everything in the complex: medicines, diet and sports will give good long-term results.

Diet for hormonal imbalance

An imbalance in hormones is very often accompanied by weight gain. This may be due to the following reasons:

• increased appetite;
• metabolic disease;
• fluid retention in tissues.

Nutrition for hormonal imbalance should include a variety of fresh and quality foods. The diet must include:

• vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• fish;
• poultry and beef;
• cereals;
• honey, nuts, dried fruits.

Vegetable foods containing fiber should make up 50% of the daily diet. Be sure to cut back on sweet, spicy, smoked, salty foods that retain fluid in the cells.

You should get rid of bad habits: smoking, as well as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages contain a large number of calories, and also destructively affect the hormonal background of a woman.

To always be in good weight, you must adhere to simple rules:

1. Eat in small portions 5-6 times a day.
2. Once a week, arrange a fasting day - drink kefir, and also eat apples.
3. You must regularly weigh yourself and control your "ideal" weight.
4. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily.
5. Do any kind of sports: fitness, tennis, morning jogging, exercise on simulators.

Exercise not only burns calories, but also gives you a boost of positive energy.

Is it possible to get pregnant with hormonal imbalance

A woman may have impaired reproductive functions, which threatens with menstrual disorders and infertility. If she cannot get pregnant, then the doctor usually prescribes a diagnosis:

• examination of the thyroid gland;
• ovarian check;
• donating blood for hormone tests.

After receiving the results, the doctor prescribes one of the treatment methods:

• hormonal drugs;
• treatment of genital infections;
• a diet based on a balanced diet;
• surgical intervention.

Thus, pregnancy with hormonal imbalance is possible if early treatment is started.

Treatment of hormonal imbalance in women with folk remedies is possible with the help of medicinal herbs that contain natural phytohormones. These include:

• sage;
• linseed oil;
• boron uterus;
• valerian root;
• mint;
• oregano;
• sagebrush.

Taking herbal infusions containing hormones - has advantages over artificial hormonal drugs, which have side effects.

Herbal decoctions should be taken according to a clear scheme, taking into account the individual tolerance of the organism. Herbal medicine should be carried out after consulting a doctor so as not to harm the body.

Prevention for women:

1. The development of a hormonal disorder can very often take place for no apparent reason. Therefore, in order to recognize the "first bells", it is necessary to undergo a regular medical examination and take the appropriate tests.
2. Lead a healthy lifestyle: eat well, sleep enough time, walk more and not exhaust yourself with heavy physical exertion.
3. At the first symptoms, you must consult a doctor and begin treatment.

Untimely treatment of hormone imbalance can lead to the following consequences:

• obesity;
• infertility;
• breast cancer, cervix;
• excess body hair growth;
• tooth loss and early aging.

Hormonal disruption is, first of all, self-loathing, as well as insufficient attention to one's body. If you prevent the first symptoms of the disease in time, as well as lead a healthy lifestyle, then the production of hormones will very quickly return to normal.

Hormonal imbalance - what is it?

Hormonal imbalance is called a disorder of the endocrine system. This system, consisting of many glands, produces hormones (substances that literally affect all processes in the body).

The activity of the glands that make up the endocrine system, and all hormones synthesized by these glands, is in a healthy person in a state of equilibrium, balance. But this balance is fragile: as soon as the synthesis of just one (any) hormone is disturbed, a disorder of the work of the entire endocrine system arises, i.e. hormonal imbalance, manifested by a deterioration in human health.

Hormonal imbalance can occur in the following cases:

when the gland synthesizes too much hormone;

with the synthesis of an insufficient amount of the hormone;

in case of violations in the synthesis process that cause a change in the chemical composition of the hormone;

in case of violations in the process of transporting the hormone through the body;

with a simultaneous failure in the work of several endocrine glands at once.

Symptoms hormonal disorders are very diverse, and in most cases it is very difficult to recognize a disease of the endocrine system.

Hormonal imbalance is more common in women, but both men and children of any age can suffer from it.

Causes of hormonal disorders

Reasons for insufficient hormone production:

infectious or inflammatory diseases of the endocrine glands;

congenital anomalies in the form of underdevelopment of the endocrine glands;

operations on the endocrine glands (with trauma or with the development of a tumor);

hemorrhage in the gland tissue;

violation of blood flow and insufficient blood supply to the gland;

lack of intake of vitamins and minerals with food;

immunodeficiency states.

Causes of excess hormone production:

trauma to the head and abdominal organs;

inflammatory diseases;

taking hormonal drugs.

The balanced activity of the endocrine system can also be disrupted under the influence of factors such as:

stress;

chronic lack of sleep;

sedentary lifestyle;

bad habits;

too early sexual intercourse - or, on the contrary, the absence of sexual contacts in an adult.

How do hormonal disorders manifest?

There are practically no specific symptoms of hormonal disorders, and it is not easy to diagnose endocrine disease. The manifestations of hormonal imbalance are similar to those of various other diseases. However, there are several symptoms that might suggest a hormonal imbalance:

1. Increased appetite combined with progressive weight loss is most often a sign increased thyroid function... At the same time, the patient complains of irritability, nervousness, insomnia, sweating, trembling of the fingers, irregular heartbeat, a slight (but prolonged) increase in temperature.

2. Lack of thyroid function characterized by the development of obesity with an even distribution of fat throughout the body; general weakness, drowsiness; dry skin and brittle hair; chilliness; a decrease in body temperature below normal; hoarseness of voice.

3. Disorder of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland is also manifested by obesity, but fat is deposited mainly in the upper half of the body; the legs remain thin. On the inner surface of the thighs, on the abdomen, on the mammary glands, striae appear - purple stretch marks. Against the background of such changes in appearance, the patient often has hypertensive crises. when blood pressure rises strongly and sharply.

4. Excessive production of growth hormone by the hypothalamus (growth hormone) is accompanied by characteristic changes in appearance: the patient has an increase in the lower jaw, lips, tongue, cheekbones, eyebrows. Feet and hands grow rapidly. The voice changes: it becomes hoarse, rough. Hair growth is enhanced. Joint pains appear.

5. For pituitary tumors characterized by a rapid deterioration of vision in combination with constant headaches.

6. Lack of pancreatic function - diabetes mellitus - manifested by itchy skin. constant thirst, frequent urination. Small wounds, scratches do not heal well; boils often appear on the skin. Patients complain of general weakness, fatigue.

7. Excessive synthesis of male hormones (testosterone) in women is characterized by menstrual irregularities, and often by infertility. At the same time, there is a male-pattern hairiness of the face and body; the skin becomes rough, oily; acne often occurs.

Hormonal disorders in women

Causes

Common causes of hormonal disorders also apply to women, but they are supplemented by frequent abortions and haphazard use of hormonal contraceptives.

In addition, there are periods of physiological hormonal disorders in a woman's life:

1. Puberty.

2. Pregnancy.

3. Childbirth and the postpartum period.

4. Climax.

Signs

These signs include:

failure of the regularity of the menstrual cycle;

changes in the psycho-emotional sphere (irritability, irascibility, tearfulness, sudden changes in mood, insomnia);

the appearance of excess weight with an unchanged appetite;

frequent headaches;

dryness of the vaginal mucosa;

male-pattern facial hair growth (upper lip and chin);

dry skin and mucous membranes (including the vaginal mucosa);

thinning and hair loss on the head.

Hormonal Disorders and Pregnancy

From the moment of pregnancy, hormonal reorganization begins in the female body. New hormones begin to be synthesized, ensuring the normal course of pregnancy. These include:

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);

human beta-chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). It is this hormone that is a marker of pregnancy, its presence is determined by the test strip;

alpha-fetoprotein (AFP);

estriol;

PAPP-A (papp-hey) is not really a hormone, but a protein (protein A), very important in pregnancy.

The level of production by the ovaries of common female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) at the beginning of pregnancy increases, and then, when the placenta begins to synthesize estriol, decreases. This happens at the beginning of the second trimester.

Hormonal disturbances after childbirth

After childbirth, the hormonal background of the female body changes again. The synthesis of pregnancy hormones stops, the hormone prolactin is produced. stimulating the secretion of breast milk. And when the period of breastfeeding ends, the prolactin level goes down. This is a signal for the resumption of the synthesis of normal female hormones - estrogen and progesterone - in the usual volume. The menstrual cycle is restored: the woman's body is again ready to perform the reproductive function.

How to determine if the process of postpartum hormonal changes is proceeding correctly? Signs of a possible hormonal imbalance are "surges" in blood pressure. the appearance of edema. frequent dizziness, insomnia. Rapid weight loss or, conversely, excessive weight gain with a normal diet are also warning signs.

Hormonal imbalance after abortion

Abortion dramatically disrupts the hormonal balance of the body: a violent termination of pregnancy causes the termination of the synthesis of a whole group of hormones. The endocrine system is plunged into a state of stress and responds to this by increasing the production of female sex hormones and adrenal hormones.

At this time, the woman's body is extremely vulnerable. Concomitant diseases, physical overload can cause changes in the ovaries - polycystic. tekomatosis (proliferation of ovarian tissue with the possible development of a tumor).

In order to regulate the restoration of the menstrual cycle and prevent unwanted pregnancies, hormonal contraception is recommended in the post-abortion period.

Hormonal imbalance in girls

In young girls, the correct menstrual cycle is usually not established immediately, but within several months: the intervals between menstruation are either too long or too short; menstrual bleeding that is scanty, then profuse. If these phenomena are observed for 2 - 3 months, there is no cause for concern.

Alarming symptoms of hormonal distress in girls are excessively abundant, prolonged (longer than 7 days), extremely painful menstruation. In these cases, you must contact a gynecologist.

Hormonal disorders in women - video

Hormonal imbalance in men

Hormonal disruptions also occur in men. The reason for their occurrence is most often the insufficient production of testosterone in the body - the main male hormone. Impaired production of this substance can be associated with trauma or disease of the testicles (inflammation of the testicles, diabetes. HIV. Ischemic heart disease. Renal failure). Testosterone synthesis is also reduced with alcoholism. drug use. frequent stressful situations.

Signs:

decreased libido (sexual desire), erection;

decrease in testicles in volume;

the development of female obesity, breast enlargement;

decrease in muscle mass;

reduction of hair on the face, in the armpits, in the groin;

change of voice (becomes higher);

emotional disorders (depression, depression).

Hormonal disorders in adolescents

Girls

The period of puberty is the period of the formation of the female hormonal background in the girl's body. The restructuring of the hormonal status is reflected, first of all, in the psychoemotional sphere: girls become capricious, "uncontrollable", their mood often changes. Acne may appear on the face. This is a normal phenomenon, and the transitional age ends in due time.

It is possible to suspect the presence of hormonal disorders in girls in the following cases:

1. If at the age of 14-16 the girl does not have menstruation yet, or they are rare and irregular. At the same time, secondary sexual characteristics are poorly expressed (the mammary glands are underdeveloped, hair growth in the armpits and in the groin is insufficient). Such symptoms are characteristic of a deficiency of female sex hormones in the girl's body.

2. Another variant of the same pathology is when the girl's growth period is delayed. She continues to grow when her peers have already stopped growing. The appearance of such adolescent girls is peculiar: they are distinguished by noticeable thinness, high growth, overly long arms and legs. The menstrual cycle is irregular.

Boys

Hormonal disorders in adolescent boys are associated with an imbalance in male and female sex hormones. If during puberty in the boy's body the male hormone testosterone is not produced in sufficient quantities, then the teenager does not develop secondary sexual characteristics, there is no breaking of the voice, growth remains low.

Gynecomastia - an enlargement of the mammary glands in boys during puberty - can be a physiological, harmless phenomenon (as a result of an unstable balance between male and female sex hormones). But pathological gynecomastia is also possible - caused by hormonal disorders, for example, with tumors of the testicles or adrenal glands.

An increase in the synthesis of male sex hormones in transitional age causes in many boys the appearance of so-called adolescent acne on the skin of the face. After a few years, when the hormonal background becomes stable, acne disappears.

Hormonal disorders in children

Children may develop a wide variety of hormonal disorders. The most common disorders are growth retardation and hypothyroidism.

Growth retardation in children associated with hormonal deficiency can be caused by a disease of any of the endocrine glands. But the most striking example is pituitary dwarfism, caused by any damage to the pituitary gland (growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland - somatotropin - and many other hormones). In pituitary dwarfs, in addition to small stature, there is a delay in sexual development, insufficient thyroid function and other hormonal changes.

Hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones) affects the mental and physical development of the child. Children with this pathology are characterized by short stature, general lethargy, slowness, and lack of interest in their surroundings. They often suffer from cardiovascular and other diseases.

If you have the slightest suspicion that a child has hormonal disorders, you should contact an endocrinologist.

Age-related hormonal disorders

Female menopause

When a woman reaches a certain age (individual for each), her ovaries stop producing estrogen and producing eggs. Menses stop. The woman becomes incapable of conceiving children. This period is called menopause. It is accompanied by another restructuring of the hormonal background in the female body. In our time, the menopause is "younger", and can begin as early as 40 years.

A sharp cessation of the synthesis of sex hormones during menopause causes an increase in the production of hormones of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus. adrenal glands and thyroid gland. This is manifested by a mass of subjectively unpleasant symptoms.

Signs of female menopause:

Vegeto-vascular disorders (rises in blood pressure, pain in the heart area, heartbeat attacks, hand tremors, sweating, hot flashes to the face and neck).

Emotional disturbances (irritability, fits of anger or depressed mood, tearfulness, anxiety, depression).

Metabolic disorders (osteoporosis - increased bone fragility, facial hair growth in the upper lip and chin, decreased hair growth in the groin and armpits).

Male menopause

Male menopause, like female, is associated with a decrease in the synthesis of sex hormones and hormonal imbalance. The age of the onset of menopause is different for each man. It is believed that male menopause can occur from the age of 45, although many men retain the ability to conceive children into old age.

Signs of male menopause:

Deterioration in the quality of sexual life (decreased libido and erection, difficulty in reaching orgasm).

Emotional disturbances (depressed mood, depression, anxiety).

Neurological disorders (impairment of memory and mental performance, daytime sleepiness and nighttime insomnia, frequent headaches, dizziness).

Vegeto-vascular disorders (rises in blood pressure, pain in the heart, palpitations, sweating, hot flushes to the face and neck).

Metabolic disorders (decreased physical performance, decreased muscle strength and muscle mass, increased body fat, osteoporosis, hair loss, decreased hair growth in the groin and armpits).

How to treat hormonal disorders

Medication

The drugs for the treatment of hormonal disruptions are hormones - more precisely, their synthetic analogues. Hormone therapy for endocrine diseases can be carried out according to three schemes:

1. Substitutional (when this or that endocrine gland does not fulfill its functions for the production of hormones).

2. Stimulating (when, with the help of hormonal drugs, the reduced function of the endocrine gland is activated).

3. Inhibitory (hormonal drugs are used to curb the overactive activity of the endocrine gland).

The drugs and their doses are selected by the doctor individually for each patient with hormonal disorders. Hormone therapy is performed under the supervision of medical tests.

Sometimes (for example, when a tumor of one or another endocrine gland develops), hormonal therapy is only an adjunct to surgical treatment.

Homeopathy

Properly selected homeopathic remedies can provide fast and effective care for patients with hormonal disruptions. Homeopathic medicines made from natural raw materials have a stronger effect on the body than hormones. However, they do not have side effects.

The patient should be aware that complex homeopathic remedies sold in pharmacies without a prescription will not help him to restore hormonal balance. Only preparations selected individually for a specific person by a homeopathic physician will have a therapeutic effect and eliminate the cause of hormonal disease.

The selection of homeopathic remedies can be difficult and time-consuming (several weeks). But when the right remedy is chosen, the therapeutic effect will surpass all expectations. Within 1-3 months, the hormonal balance will be fully restored.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine for the treatment of hormonal disorders primarily uses medicinal plants. The list of these plants includes angelica angelica, calendula. sage. may nettle. meadow clover. veronica, borovaya uterus, licorice. motherwort. lemon balm and many others (depending on the specific endocrine disease).

Decoctions of medicinal herbs help to stabilize the disturbed hormonal background. A phytotherapist should prescribe treatment.

Eastern folk medicine uses acupuncture for hormonal imbalances. acupressure and aromatherapy (scent treatment). These methods of treatment normalize the work of many internal organs, including the endocrine glands.

There is such a branch of traditional medicine as lithotherapy (stone treatment). The influence of stones on the human body can rather be attributed to energy effects. The stones are divided into male and female. Wearing jewelry made of "female" stones (hematite, tiger's eye, beryl, etc.) on the body helps with female hormonal disruptions, stimulating the production of female hormones in the body. The "male" stones include jasper, carnelian, rock crystal, etc. These stones should be worn by men in case of hormonal disorders. However, lithotherapy is such a delicate "matter" that is effective only in the hands of a specialist.

Starvation

Therapeutic fasting for hormonal disorders helps only in a number of cases:

with female and male menopause;

with amenorrhea (absence of menstruation);

with obesity associated with hormonal disruption;

with diseases of the thyroid and pancreas.

In all these cases, fasting lasting more than one day must be carried out with the permission of a doctor and under his supervision.

Diet

With various hormonal disorders, different types of diets are prescribed. The following points are common to them:

low calorie intake;

restriction of fats and carbohydrates with a sufficient content of proteins, vitamins, microelements;

the indispensable presence of fruits and vegetables in the daily menu;

exclusion from the diet of foods such as fatty meat, sausages, sausages, sugar, honey. chocolate. baked goods, potatoes;

exclusion of fatty, spicy, fried foods.

The diet for a specific endocrine disease will be prescribed by a nutritionist.

How to lose weight with hormonal disorders?

If hormonal disorders are accompanied by weight gain, it is necessary to lose weight! This should be done under the supervision of an endocrinologist. Weight loss is facilitated by competently prescribed hormone therapy.

There is also a so-called hormonal diet that will help you lose those extra pounds. Despite some restrictions, it provides a fairly varied diet.

The consequences of hormonal disruptions

Hormonal imbalances can have different consequences, depending on which endocrine gland is most affected. The most serious consequences are:

1. The emergence of benign and malignant tumors.

2. Infertility in women and men.

Before use, you must consult a specialist.

Disorders of sexual development in boys.

Five stages of sexual development.

The period from birth to the onset of puberty is considered to be the first stage development - infantile, in other words, childhood. From the point of view of physiology, no radical changes occur in the reproductive system at this time. Together with the general growth of the child, the genitals also slightly increase (up to about 4-5 cm), the volume of the testicles can range from 0.7 to 3 cubic meters. cm, by 6-7 years, as a rule, physiological phimosis disappears and the head of the penis has the opportunity to “see the light”. No secondary sexual characteristics are observed. This stage in boys ends by the age of 10-13. At the same time, some of them begin a period of rapid growth.

Stage two as if preparing the boy's body for the sudden changes that await him. It is called the pituitary, and it is the beginning of puberty, or puberty (from Latin pubertas - puberty). At this time, the pituitary gland is activated and the secretion of hormones of growth hormones and follitropin increases, which are responsible for the appearance of the initial signs of puberty.
First, the subcutaneous fat in the scrotum disappears, it increases in size, its pigmentation and many small folds appear. The testicles also increase in size and sink to the bottom of the scrotum. Penis growth begins, although its enlargement is not yet so noticeable. General growth continues, the outlines of the body begin to change.

Third stage - the stage of activation of the sex glands (gonads). The gonads begin to produce male and female hormones (androgens and estrogens), the development of genitals and secondary sexual characteristics continues. At the age of 12-13, pubic hair sometimes begins - the first hairs appear at the base of the penis. At the age of 13-14, pubic hair darkens, becomes coarser, spreads towards the legs. The penis lengthens, the scrotum and testicles continue to grow.

Fourth stage - the stage of the greatest activity of the sex glands. In boys, it begins on average at 12-14 years old. During this period, the outlines of the body and face become more and more mature. The penis begins to grow not only in length, but also in thickness, the growth of the scrotum and testicles continues. "Vegetation" appears over the upper lip and in the armpits, as well as around the anus.

At the same age, under the influence of testosterone, due to the development of the muscles of the larynx and lengthening of the vocal cords, the boy's voice begins to "break": it becomes coarser, deeper. The thyroid cartilage of the larynx, the so-called "Adam's apple", begins to grow. The appearance of pain in the nipple area in a child is also an indicator of normal sexual development. Some breast enlargement is also possible - this is the so-called physiological gynecomastia, which is also not a pathology.

By the age of 15, many young men are already producing mature spermatozoa, which mature continuously. At the same age, the appearance of the first emissions is possible - spontaneous, as a rule, nocturnal, ejaculations.

Fifth stage characterized by the final formation of the reproductive system. By this time, the genitals reach "adult" sizes, the secondary sexual characteristics are also fully expressed - the hair growth of the pubis, lower abdomen and face ends, the physique and facial features finally acquire a masculine appearance. Around the same time, body growth generally ends, although in some young people it continues until the age of 20-22. The puberty period in young men ends by the age of 17-18, while significant fluctuations in 2-3 years are possible. Physiologically, they are already ready for procreation, but psychological maturity will come later.

This is a congenital absence of testicles in a child with genotype 46, XY. Anorchia occurs in 3-5% of boys with no testicles in the scrotum.

Causes and clinical picture.

Most often, anorchia is caused by agenesis of the testicles due to a violation of testosterone synthesis at 9-11 weeks of intrauterine development. In such cases, the child's phenotype is female (since the male external genitals do not develop in the absence of testosterone).

Classification and clinical picture.

False cryptorchidism due to increased cremasteric reflex. Normally, this reflex is absent in newborns. Among all cases of cryptorchidism, false cryptorchidism accounts for 25-50%. Characteristic features of false cryptorchidism: the scrotum is symmetrical, developed normally; The testicle is found in the area of \u200b\u200bthe external inguinal ring or in the lower third of the inguinal canal and is easily brought down by palpation. Palpation and bringing down is carried out in a warm room; hands are smeared with soap, cream or sprinkled with talcum powder. Treatment for false cryptorchidism is not required.

True cryptorchidism. The testicles can be located in the abdominal cavity (10%), in the inguinal canal (20%), or in the depression under the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen in the area of \u200b\u200bthe external inguinal ring (40%). In other cases, a connective tissue cord between the external inguinal ring and the entrance to the scrotum prevents the testicle from descending. Even if the testicle is located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe external inguinal ring, it cannot be brought down into the scrotum (unlike false cryptorchidism). True cryptorchidism can be unilateral and bilateral.

Testicular ectopia. The testicle passes through the inguinal canal, but is not located in the scrotum, but in the perineum, on the inner thigh, the anterior abdominal wall, or the dorsal surface of the penis (rarely). The treatment is always surgical. Most patients are infertile even after treatment. Cryptorchidism is caused by a deficiency of LH or testosterone in the fetus or newborn, or insufficient intake of CG from the placenta. Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system can be hereditary and acquired. In some newborns and young children with cryptorchidism, as well as in their mothers, autoantibodies to the gonadotropic cells of the adenohypophysis are found. On this basis, it is assumed that the cause of cryptorchidism can be autoimmune damage to gonadotropic cells. ... open

Definition. Micropenia is an abnormality of the penis in which its length is less than the average length of the penis of healthy boys of the corresponding age. Micropenia can be isolated or combined with other disorders of sexual development, such as cryptorchidism.

Causes.

Penile growth in a fetus depends on testosterone levels. The main regulator of testosterone secretion after the 13th week of intrauterine development is LH, and FSH stimulates the growth and differentiation of Leydig cells. Therefore, micropenia can be observed in children with an isolated deficiency of gonadotropic hormones (for example, with Kalman's syndrome) and idiopathic hypopituitarism.

Micropenia occurs in congenital anomalies of the central nervous system, in particular with defects in the median structures of the brain and skull, septooptic dysplasia and pituitary aplasia.

Micropenia can be due to primary or secondary hypogonadism in many syndromes.

Primary hypogonadism is observed in the syndromes of Klinefelter, Noonan, Cornelia De Lange, Robinov, Down,

and the secondary - with Prader-Willi and Lawrence-Moon-Biedl syndromes.

• Taking hydantoins (such as phenytoin) to a pregnant woman may cause micropenia in the newborn.
• Micropenia, due to incomplete reduced sensitivity to androgens, can be isolated or combined with disorders of sexual differentiation, for example, with the external genital organs of the intermediate type.
• Idiopathic micropenia. In some cases, the cause of micropenia cannot be determined. ... open

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the mammary glands in men. Gynecomastia can be physiological and pathological, bilateral (symmetric or asymmetric) and unilateral. Pseudogynecomastia is an enlargement of the mammary glands caused by the proliferation of adipose tissue in the mammary glands or by a tumor.

Classification.

• Physiological gynecomastia observed in newborns and healthy boys in puberty.

  Gynecomastia of newborns is due to the action of maternal and placental estrogens and disappears after a few weeks.

  Gynecomastia pubertal develops in 50-70% of boys during puberty and usually resolves in 1 to 2 years.

  Adolescent gynecomastia is often bilateral (symmetric or asymmetric), but it can also be unilateral. The reason has not been determined exactly; suggest that the ratio of estrogens / androgens in serum increases at the beginning of puberty.

• Pathological gynecomastia. It may be due to impaired synthesis, secretion or action of male sex hormones, excessive secretion of female sex hormones and the effects of drugs.
• Androgen deficiency. Most often, gynecomastia develops with congenital insufficiency of the gonads, in particular, with Klinefelter's syndrome, anorchia, congenital disorders of testosterone synthesis and acquired insufficient testicular function.
  Occasionally, gynecomastia is noted with secondary hypogonadism, such as Kalman's syndrome.
• Gynecomastia occurs when decreased sensitivity to male sex hormones (for example, with Reifenstein syndrome).
• Gynecomastia is caused tumors testicles and adrenal glands, secreting female sex hormones, and HCG-secreting tumors of the liver, central nervous system and testicles.
• Medicinal gynecomastia most often due to the accidental intake of estrogens (for example, oral contraceptives) or drugs that stimulate estrogen synthesis. Recently, gynecomastia has often been observed in adolescents and young men who use estrogen ointments. Another common cause of gynecomastia is the consumption of milk from cows receiving estrogen.
• Idiopathic gynecomastia. Such a diagnosis is made in adolescent boys with gynecomastia, if even the most careful examination failed to identify its cause. When taking an anamnesis, it is clarified whether the child has taken estrogens or androgen antagonists.
• Transient gynecomastia may occur after trauma... during the recovery period after serious diseases... accompanied by weight loss, as well as when resuming nutrition after prolonged fasting. ... open

We can talk about delayed puberty in a boy if, after 14 years, he has no signs of puberty. Of course, this delay does not necessarily indicate any deviation: it is possible that late development is characteristic of this family. In this case, we will talk about the so-called constitutional delay in puberty and physical maturation, which occurs in more than half of the cases. These adolescents usually have a completely normal growth rate before puberty. A growth spurt and puberty can begin after 15 years.

But sexual development can also be delayed or disrupted by various diseases. Some of them are accompanied by a violation of the production of hormones. For example, in the presence of a tumor that damages the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls puberty), the content of gonadotropins, hormones that stimulate the growth of genitals, may decrease in the child's body (or the production of these hormones stops altogether). Certain chronic diseases (such as diabetes, kidney disease, and others) can also delay puberty.

Signs that cause suspicion of delayed sexual development of a teenager are as follows: the physique is "frail", the limbs are relatively long, the waist is high, and often the hips are wider than the shoulders. The deposition of subcutaneous fat on the chest, waist, and lower abdomen is also typical. The genitals are not developed - the penis is less than 5 cm, there is no folding and sagging of the scrotum, hair does not grow on the pubis and armpits, there are no emissions. If you note at least some of these signs, the guy must be shown to the doctor, and at the same time it is necessary to show persistence and tact at the same time (he is very shy about his shortcomings!).

Treatment for late puberty depends on the underlying cause. As a rule, this is a complex of procedures, including (after examination) the use of medicines, biologically active agents, physiotherapy exercises and medical and psychological correction. Parents of a future man must definitely bear in mind that a late diagnosis of delayed puberty can lead to infertility, not to mention a violation of the psycho-emotional state of a teenager. Treatment started in adolescence gives a great chance of success, although it takes at least 2-3 months.

Too early sexual development is also a reason to visit a doctor! Puberty in boys is considered premature if it begins before the age of 9. Signs of this disorder are: an increase in the size of the testicles, growth of hair on the face, pubis and armpits, the appearance of acne, breaking and coarsening of the voice, rapid body growth.

The causes of premature puberty can be abnormalities of the reproductive system, thyroid diseases, brain tumors, changes caused by head injuries, the consequences of infectious diseases (such as meningitis, encephalitis) and other structural disorders of the brain. After all, it is from there, from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, that commands to the peripheral sex glands to release hormones go. There may be a number of genetic factors as well. It has been noticed that early sexual development is more common in overweight children.

The main complication of premature sexual development is growth arrest. The fact is that the production of sex hormones contributes to the "closure" of those parts of the bone, due to which it grows in length, i.e. growth zones. Thus, growing up, an early "ripe" young man turns out to be much lower than his peers. They jokingly say about such people "went to the root", but in fact, small stature is a reason for serious psychological experiences, and not only for young men, but also for adult men.

Timely identification of signs of premature puberty allows the doctor to choose the necessary treatment methods. This can be the elimination of the tumor, or the treatment of the underlying disease, or the use of special drugs that inhibit the release of sex hormones until the end of the growth process. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the moment and contact a specialist in time.

1. Constitutional retardation of growth and sexual development Is a variant of the norm. It is caused by a delay in the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system. Due to low levels of LH, FSH and testosterone, sexual development begins at 15 years of age or later.

2. Any chronic systemic diseases can cause growth retardation, skeletal maturation and sexual development. These diseases include primarily chronic renal failure, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, bronchial asthma, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and severe hypothyroidism. Delayed sexual development in anorexia nervosa is explained by a violation of the impulse secretion of gonadoliberin.

3. Secondary hypogonadism (secondary testicular failure). In secondary hypogonadism, sexual development begins with a great delay and proceeds slowly or begins but does not end. Patients are at high risk of infertility.

• Isolated deficiency of gonadotropic hormones almost always caused by chronic insufficiency of gonadoliberin and only in rare cases - by insufficiency of gonadotropic cells of the adenohypophysis. The child grows normally until adolescence, then growth slows down, and signs of sexual development do not appear.

  Adolescents with this pathology have a eunuchoid physique. Isolated deficiency of gonadotropic hormones as a separate disease is rare and in about half of cases is inherited autosomal recessively. More often, an isolated deficiency of gonadotropic hormones is combined with other developmental anomalies: loss or decreased sense of smell (with Kalman's syndrome), defects in the median structures of the brain and skull, micropenia, cryptorchidism, color blindness, abnormalities of the kidneys and metacarpal bones.

• Kalman's syndrome. The main components are secondary hypogonadism and loss or impairment of smell. Some patients have color blindness and severe abnormalities of the brain and skull in the midline. The cause of abnormalities in Kalman's syndrome is a violation of the impulse secretion of gonadoliberin in the hypothalamus.
• Pasqualini's syndrome (fertile eunuch syndrome) is a very rare disease characterized by isolated LH deficiency... Patients have eunuchoid physique; testes are of normal size, differentiated Leydig cells are absent or very few of them, but spermatogenesis is not impaired. It is assumed that Pasqualini's syndrome is due to a partial deficiency of gonadoliberin.
• Idiopathic hypopituitarism. Several sporadic and hereditary diseases are combined under this name. Congenital idiopathic hypopituitarism manifests itself in newborns with severe hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and liver lesions resembling hepatitis. Micropenia is almost always observed. Idiopathic hypopituitarism in older boys in 50-60% of cases is a consequence of birth trauma and hypoxia.
• Diseases of the central nervous system... violating the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland:
• Tumors (craniopharyngioma, suprasellar astrocytoma, optic nerve glioma, dysgerminoma, teratoma, histiocytosis X and other granulomatosis).
• Developmental anomalies (defects in the midline structures of the brain and skull, septooptic dysplasia, hydrocephalus).
• Infections (meningitis, encephalitis).
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Underdevelopment of the optic nerves with a normal or absent transparent septum - an example of holoproencephaly of unknown origin; more common in the first child of a young mother. Pituitary dysfunction in such cases manifests itself in different ways and can progress, so children with this anomaly need regular examinations.
• Aplasia or hypoplasia of the pituitary gland can be combined with congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex.
• Radiation therapy for leukemia and brain tumors often damage the hypothalamic-pituitary system. First of all, the secretion of growth hormone is disrupted, then gonadotropic hormones and ACTH.

4. Primary hypogonadism (primary testicular failure). Primary hypogonadism can be congenital (with some hereditary syndromes) and acquired. In both cases, testosterone deficiency leads to an increase in LH and FSH levels, but this increase is usually only detected in adolescence.

• Klinefelter's syndrome occurs in 1 in 500 boys. Patients with the classic variant of the syndrome have a karyotype of 47, XXY. Other karyotypes are also possible, and mosaicism 46, XY / 47, XXY is detected in 10% of patients. The syndrome usually manifests itself in adolescence as a delay in puberty. The penis and testicles are reduced, the physique is eunuchoid, there is gynecomastia and moderate mental retardation. Patients are prone to diabetes, thyroid disease, and breast cancer.
• Noonan syndrome occurs in 1 in 8,000 newborns (in 1 in 16,000 boys); the karyotype is normal. Inheritance is autosomal dominant. In terms of the main clinical manifestations (pterygoid folds in the neck, hallux valgus, short stature, lymphatic edema of the hands and feet), Noonan's syndrome is very similar to Turner's syndrome. Other signs of Noonan syndrome include ptosis, a sunken chest, right heart defects (pulmonary stenosis), a triangular face, and mental retardation. Boys have cryptorchidism or micropenia.
• Acquired primary hypogonadism (acquired testicular insufficiency). The most common reasons:
• Viral orchitis (the most common pathogens are mumps virus, Coxsackie B virus and ECHO viruses).
• Antineoplastic agents... especially alkylating agents and methylhydrazines, damage Leydig cells and spermatogenic cells. At prepubertal age, these cells are dormant, so they are less sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of anticancer drugs. On the contrary, in puberty and especially in the post-pubertal period, these drugs can cause irreversible changes in the spermatogenic epithelium.
• Directed irradiation also damages the spermatogenic epithelium.
• Testicular function is impaired after high doses of cyclophosphamide and full body radiation in preparation for bone marrow transplantation.

Causes and classification.

1. True premature sexual development due to hyperfunction of the central link of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system. Causes: early activation of impulse secretion of gonadoliberin, hypersecretion of gonadoliberin, autonomous hypersecretion of gonadotropic hormones, dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary system. True premature sexual development is always complete (that is, it includes both virilization and stimulation of spermatogenesis).

• True premature sexual development is considered idiopathic... if it is not possible to identify its cause. The diagnosis of idiopathic true premature sexual development in boys is established in 10-20% of cases. It is believed that idiopathic true premature sexual development is due to the early activation of impulse secretion of gonadoliberin.
• Diseases of the central nervous system - the most common cause of true premature sexual development.

  Tumors in the area of \u200b\u200bthe posterior parts of the hypothalamus, gray tubercle, third ventricle or pineal gland, they infiltrate or squeeze the hypothalamic tissue or interrupt neural connections, disrupting the regulatory mechanisms. There are also hypothalamic hamartomas secreting gonadoliberin.

  Infections may cause cerebral edema or abscess, or hydrocephalus.

  Other reasons:

  traumatic brain injury ,

  anomalies in the development of the skull and brain (for example, septooptic dysplasia).

• Primary hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function) is a rare cause of premature sexual development. The pathogenesis is unknown; it is assumed that with a deficiency of thyroid hormones, the secretion of not only thyroliberin, but also gonadoliberin is stimulated. Therefore, an increase in TSH secretion is accompanied by an increase in the secretion of gonadotropic hormones and prolactin.
• Any a disease accompanied by androgen hypersecretion, can prematurely activate the hypothalamic-pituitary system. As a rule, in such cases the maturation of the skeleton is accelerated (the bone age is ahead of the passport age). True premature sexual development can also be caused by late treatment of virilizing forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

2. False premature sexual development due to autonomous hypersecretion of androgens or hCG. Unlike true premature sexual development, false premature sexual development is incomplete, that is, it is not accompanied by stimulation of spermatogenesis (with the exception of familial testosterone toxicosis).

• Virilizing forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia Is the most common cause of false premature sexual development. The most common virilizing forms: enzyme deficiency. 21-hydroxylase and 11beta-hydroxylase.
• Virilizing adrenal tumors are rare in children. As a rule, these are malignant neoplasms.
• Cushing's syndrome Is also a rare cause of premature sexual development.
• Androgen-secreting testicular tumors (androblastomas). are rare. Usually these are leydigomas secreting exclusively testosterone. Leydigoma is a benign tumor and is localized in one testicle. The affected testicle is enlarged, painful on palpation.
• Also meet arrhenoblastomas and sertoliomas... They are able to secrete not only androgens, but also estrogens, so patients may have gynecomastia and female pubic hair.
• Another rare cause of false premature sexual development is ectopic adrenal tissue in the testicle. Adrenal tissue can give rise to tumors and undergo hyperplasia during adrenarch or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In such cases, the testicle also enlarges.
• HCG-secreting tumors (hepatoblastoma, retroperitoneal and germ cell tumors) are detected in 4% of boys with premature sexual development. Germ cell tumors are often located in the brain.
• Isolated premature adrenarche - This is the appearance of pubic or axillary hair growth in a 5-6 year old boy. Acne, a pungent smell of sweat, and a coarsening of the voice may occur. There is no acceleration of growth and maturation of the skeleton and no enlargement of the penis. Isolated premature adrenarche is caused by an early increase in the secretion of adrenal androgens. The forecast is favorable, but it is necessary to exclude the tumor testes or adrenal glands and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. If there is no other pathology, sexual development is completed at normal times.
• Familial testosterone toxicosis (gonadotropin-independent premature sexual development) is caused by excessive unregulated secretion of testosterone due to hyperplasia of Leydig cells. Hyperplasia is caused by a point mutation in the LH and hCG receptor gene. Familial testosterone toxicosis is an autosomal dominant disorder with incomplete penetrance that occurs only in males. Secondary sexual characteristics usually appear at 3-5 years old, and the first symptoms of masculinity can be observed as early as 2 years. In many patients, spermatogenesis is activated. According to the clinical picture, familial testosterone toxicosis is similar to true premature sexual development. In most men with familial testosterone toxicosis, fertility is not impaired.

Until now, insufficient attention has been paid to violations of the sexual development of boys, despite, unfortunately, the widespread occurrence of the type of disorders in question. This is largely due to the lack of awareness of parents and their inattention to such an important aspect of the formation of a boy into a healthy man. Often, defects in sexual development, unnoticed at an early age, are found only in adolescence, when the consequences are irreversible and the young man cannot become a full-fledged man, create a family and have children. The latter often leads to difficult life tragedies.

What should be alarming for parents? First of all, visible defects of the external genital organs, for example, the absence of testicles in the scrotum, untimely development of sexual characteristics, their inappropriateness to the age of the child, as well as behavior uncharacteristic for their gender, obesity, disproportionately long legs, poor development of the muscular system, lack of interest in girls in puberty, etc.

The discovery of one or more of the listed signs in a child is a reason to visit a pediatric urologist or endocrinologist to identify or exclude defects in sexual development. If the type of violation is established in time and treatment is started or harmful factors are eliminated, nutrition is adjusted, then the pathology of the reproductive sphere can be avoided.

Question answer.

The questions are answered by the urologist-andrologist, Ph.D. Radzievsky Anatoly Vasilievich. open

Sources: http://www.venerologia.ru/; http://5ballov.qip.ru/referats/part/10019/parent/0/; http://www.eurolab.ua/; http://referat.ru/referats/by/category/Medicine; http://www.med-life.ru/; http://www.herpes.ru/

Birth control pills for teens

Birth control pills for teenagers. Until recently, this question was not acute. What is sharp there, he did not stand at all. What birth control pills can be for children? Teenagers, after all, they are those who study diligently (or not very diligently), obey their parents, they have a sweet tooth, they are fond of different hobbies there, such as riding bicycles or rollerblades, well, they get busted sometimes, but what can you do, transitional age ...

But no. Teenagers are, of course, not yet adults, but they are no longer children. These are growing children. And growing up is accompanied not only by self-affirmation in the form of various obscure (and often unpleasant) things for their parents, but also by such an event as falling in love. For teenagers, of course, this is love for life - you did not love, you cannot understand! Love itself is wonderful. It is completely safe if the girl sighs for some inaccessible mass media idol. It also happens. However, more often she falls in love with a quite tangible boy and from this "touch" sometimes a big problem in the form of an unwanted pregnancy results.

Indeed, premarital sexual intercourse now does not surprise anyone.

Some statistics. The level of sexual experience of young people varies from region to region, but it is about the same in the region itself. Studies conducted among women in various countries of the world have shown that 2-11% of Asian women start sex before the age of 18, 12-44% of Latin American women - up to 16 years old, 45-52% of African women in the sub-Saharan region - up to 19 years. In developed countries, most women begin sexual activity before the age of 18: 79% in the UK, 71% in the United States, 68% in Ukraine, 67% in France, 65% in Russia.

For men, these numbers are higher: Asia - 24-75% under 18, Latin America - 44-46% under 16, sub-Saharan region - 45-73% under 17, UK - 85%, France - 83%, USA - 81%, Russia - 82% start sexual activity before the age of 18.

It is what it is.

You can talk for a long time about upbringing, decent behavior, refer to examples of the past, give the right books to read - of course, all this can and should be done. But leaving teenagers in deep ignorance about contraception is simply unacceptable. Adolescents need (I'm not afraid of this word) to be armed with basic information about contraception. sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), emergency contraception. the dangers and consequences of early abortion and childbirth.

And it is not at all necessary that a girl (or a boy), armed with knowledge on this topic, will immediately run to apply it in practice in order to test the quality of this knowledge.

Therefore, we will not moralize. Unwanted pregnancies and abortions in adolescents are something that shouldn't happen. And it is not discussed! General information on contraceptives can be first presented to adolescents at the age of 13-14, and more detailed information - at 15-16 years. Even if this information does not seem relevant to some adolescents, the first knowledge and skills on contraception should be obtained from a gynecologist in advance.

Often teenagers have sexual intercourse in a completely non-romantic environment: in a basement, in a country house, in a car, in companies, at home next to their parents, in a state of alcohol and / or drug intoxication, with elements of violence, etc.

The contraceptive behavior of adolescent girls differs from that of older age groups and has the following characteristics:

• irregular sex life;
• irregular menstruation;
• insufficient sexuality education;
• short-term use of contraception;
• the use of ineffective methods of contraception;
• fear of parents and doctor;
• using the advice of friends in choosing a method of contraception;
• high risk of STDs;
• many sexual partners.

Therefore, contraceptives for adolescents must be highly effective, acceptable and safe.

For most adolescents, the most appropriate choice is barrier... that is, a condom. It prevents conception and protects against infection with sexually transmitted diseases, and under certain parameters (made of latex with nonxilon coating: DUREX, RFSU) - against AIDS. This is especially important if the girl has a relationship with several or one casual partner. But condoms often break, slip off, put on improperly, lubricate with ointments and fat-based creams, stored for a long time in a crumpled state or in high humidity, and are exposed to direct sunlight.

Therefore, adolescents are advised to use the so-called double Dutch method (simultaneous use of a hormonal oral contraceptive with a condom), when the high efficacy of an oral agent is complemented by the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) provided by a condom.

Due to a lack of money and a lack of awareness of the quality of condoms, adolescents often use cheap condoms, which increases their risk of contracting STDs. In such cases, help chemical protection methods (spermicides) used together with a condom. These drugs are available in the form of suppositories, tablets, creams, sponges, films, aerosols. They have a spermicidal, and some of them bactericidal effect (suppress the causative agents of gonorrhea and syphilis, inhibit the growth of fungi, chlamydia and Trichomonas, are destructive for herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus) and are inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse. However, the use of spermicidal agents alone in adolescence is ineffective and impractical, since their contraceptive effect is low, and the use of them requires high motivation of behavior.

Concerning hormonal contraception (or oral contraception - not from the word yell, but from the Latin or, that is, mouth), then it is suitable for those who live a regular sex life and have sufficient knowledge about the application of this method. Currently, adolescents have a high incidence of unplanned pregnancies, which is a difficult mental test for them, as well as an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases, and therefore the problem of contraception in adolescents deserves special attention.

In Russia, COCs (combined oral contraceptives) are used by approximately 9-15% of adolescents and young women. The most preferred are combined low-dose (containing 30-35 μg ethinyl estradiol), highly selective progestogens (third generation) with low androgenic activity, monophasic drugs. It is undesirable to use pure gestagens (“mini-pills”), injectable contraceptives for adolescents because of the long-term restoration of the ability to fertilize after their cancellation. The exception is young nursing mothers, for them pure gestagens are an excellent means of protection. which can be combined with breastfeeding.

The so-called "hormonal injections" are a modern method of long-term contraception with pure gestagens. The injection of the drug contains the hormone levonorgestrel, which is gradually released and maintains constant blood concentrations of the drug. The degree of reliability of hormonal injections is the same as that of conventional hormonal pills.

The main advantage of this method is that it does not need to be and also time to take hormone pills. The main thing is not to forget to visit a doctor once every 2-3 months and give injections. The maximum concentration of the hormone in the blood is reached 20 days after the first injection. Therefore, during the first month after the first injection, you must additionally protect yourself with a condom.

Due to the suppression of ovarian function, this method of contraception can only be used by women who have given birth or women in adulthood. Also, the drug should be used with caution in women suffering from diseases of the circulatory system. In other cases, this method of contraception is reliable and very convenient.

However, this method has unpleasant side effects. the possibility of the appearance of periodic bloody intermenstrual discharge, as well as suppression of menstrual function. Unfortunately, the effect of hormonal injections cannot be neutralized in any way. If side effects appear, you have to endure them until the end of the injection. Therefore, before giving a "hormonal injection", it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Physiological methods (rhythmic method, temperature method) is ineffective for adolescents, since the menstrual cycle is not always established and stabilized in girls by the beginning of sexual activity. During this period of life, natural methods of contraception (calculating dangerous days by basal temperature, measuring the quality of cervical mucus, calendar method, symptothermal method) are not recommended to be used due to their low effectiveness (10-30 pregnancies per 100 users per year).

The choice of contraceptive method can be influenced by factors such as irregular sex life and the need to hide sexual relations and the use of contraception. For example, the needs of sexually active unmarried adolescents differ significantly from those of married adolescents who want to delay pregnancy, take a break, or limit the number of pregnancies.

The use of COCs in adolescents allows:

- avoid unwanted pregnancy and, accordingly, abortion and early birth;

- avoid sexually transmitted diseases;

- use the possibilities of COCs for the treatment of menstrual irregularities and other conditions requiring hormonal correction.

The mechanism of the contraceptive effect of hormonal contraceptives consists of several factors and includes: suppression of ovulation due to inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system, thickening of the cervical mucus of the cervical canal of the uterus and thereby reducing the possibility of sperm penetration into the uterine cavity, as well as changes in the state of the endometrium and decrease in the contractile activity of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Now let's take a look at the hormonal contraceptive regimen. It would seem that everything is simple: at the appointment, the doctor explained, there is an annotation, and arrows are drawn on the packaging, but sometimes difficulties arise with this.

So, the standard reception mode. For 21 days we take one tablet once a day, preferably at the same time, take a break for 7 days, at this time, free from taking pills, menstruation pass. On the 8th day after taking the last pill (after a seven-day period during which the contraceptive was not taken), we take a new package and start taking the pills from the next package, even if the bleeding has not ended yet, and everything is repeated. If taking the drug is just starting (before that you were not protected by hormonal contraceptives) and this is the first package, then the intake should be started on the first day of the cycle (the first day of menstruation). Recently, drugs have appeared in which the mode of administration is somewhat different, for example 26 + 2, 28 without interruption, etc. then we follow this regimen, which the doctor will explain to you upon appointment. This means that you should not decide on your own which pills to drink. Hormones (and indeed any medication) are too serious.

All hormonal pills are taken according to a certain scheme, which cannot be changed, otherwise the menstrual cycle may be disrupted or an unplanned pregnancy may occur. As already mentioned, the pills should be taken daily at the same time.

Full protection against unwanted pregnancy is achieved only with the second package of the drug. During the first month, the body is adapting to new hormones and the probability of conception is not yet zero. Therefore, when taking the first pack of hormonal pills, it is imperative to use additional contraceptives.

If you feel unwell (nausea, headache, increased blood pressure, depression, sudden weight gain), it is necessary to change the drug to another from the same group or containing a lower dose of the hormone. Several types of birth control pills must be tried before a suitable type is found. But no matter how strong the side effects are, hormonal pills should always be drunk to the end of the package and only then switch to another drug or cancel the intake.

The medication for hormonal contraception should be selected by a doctor based on the results of hormonal tests. Only in such a situation can all side effects be minimized.

Often uninformed girls will arbitrarily interrupt the use of contraceptive pills, discovering one or another side effects... Adolescents, whether married or unmarried, are less likely to tolerate the side effects of contraceptives and therefore interrupt their use more often.

Indeed, in addition to the contraceptive effect, hormonal drugs can cause side effects - temporary conditions that, as the body adapts to the drug, disappear without any consequences and usually do not require its cancellation. In adolescence, the lack of sex hormones occurs three times more often than their excess. Some negative side reactions are caused not by excess, but by a lack of estrogen (hot flashes, intermenstrual bleeding at the beginning and middle of the cycle, decreased libido, irritability, vaginal dryness, decrease in the size of the mammary glands) or progesterone deficiency (heavy periods with clots, intermenstrual spotting at the end of the cycle , delayed menstrual reaction after taking the drug Adverse reactions usually disappear after 1-3 months or a little later.

The positive side effects or non-contraceptive benefits of taking COCs include a decrease in anxiety about a possible pregnancy, a decrease in the risk of ectopic pregnancy, as well as the frequency of inflammatory diseases of the genitals; prevention of the development of benign and malignant tumors of the ovary and uterus, mammary glands; harmonization of metabolic processes; normalization of the menstrual cycle; relief of ovulatory pain and symptoms of premenstrual tension. The big advantage of oral forms of combined contraception is the rapid return of the ability to conceive after stopping them and the possibility of rapid discontinuation of the drug in the event of complications or unacceptable adverse reactions.

Currently, adolescents' independent purchase and intake of various medications (analgesics, hypnotics), as well as a number of antibiotics, sulfonamides, antiepileptic drugs, antipsychotics, and others used as prescribed by a doctor, contribute to weakening the effect of COCs used. Among adolescent girls taking COCs, factors that weaken their contraceptive effect are also smoking and drug use, weight loss with induction of vomiting or diarrhea after eating.

Contraindications to the appointment of combined oral contraceptives are considered: severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, thrombo-embolic diseases, liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, hepatitis, malignant tumors of the reproductive system, severe diabetes mellitus, individual intolerance, pregnancy or suspicion of it, bleeding from genital paths of unclear etiology. There are a number of relative contraindications that are assessed by the doctor individually.

Girls receiving hormonal contraceptives should be under the dispensary supervision of a gynecologist or family planning specialist and come to an appointment once a month for the first 3 months, and then quarterly.

But what to do if there was unprotected intercourse, the condom slipped or burst? For such cases, there is emergency (postcoital) contraception.

This method should be viewed as urgent precaution from unwanted pregnancy and mainly to recommend to adolescent girls if there is any doubt about the integrity of the use of a condom, with unprotected sexual intercourse or when contraceptive methods cannot be used for one reason or another. It should be warned against the frequent use of postcoital contraception, the essence of which is the use of hormonal drugs in the first 24-72 hours after sexual intercourse. There is no need to get carried away with this method, its use is justified only in case of a truly emergency situation. It is impossible to make it a permanent method of protection due to frequent menstrual irregularities that sometimes occur even after a single dose. It should be emphasized that emergency contraception is a one-time contraception and should not be used all the time. Therefore, after the use of emergency means, some other long-term method of contraception should be prescribed, selected individually.

Patch.

A contraceptive patch is a very thin and smooth adhesive plaster (20 cm 2) that is used to prevent pregnancy. The contraceptive patch contains the same substances as most oral contraceptives (a combination of progestogen and estrogen). The patch is applied once every seven days and provides a reliable effect with a minimum of effort.

The advantage of this method is that it eliminates the "forgetting effect", which is a lot of hassle when using oral contraceptive pills.

The contraceptive patch is very simple and comfortable to use - it is securely attached to the skin, does not come off either during water procedures or under the influence of the sun. It can be worn discreetly on one of four areas of the body: buttocks, abdomen, scapula, outer surface of the shoulder.

The patch has medicinal properties: when it is used, there is practically no intermenstrual bleeding, menstrual pains occur much less often, and PMS develops less often.

You can start using the patch on the first day of your menstrual cycle, that is, the first patch should be applied on the first day of your period. In this case, additional contraceptives are not required.

The side effects of the patch are the same as with other forms of micro-dosage hormonal contraception. Most of them are expressed in a mild to moderate degree, which does not limit the use of the patch. In addition, side effects often subside within 2–3 months after starting.

The contraceptive patch does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, a prerequisite for its use is the presence of one permanent sexual partner and the absence of genital infections in both.

You should not use a contraceptive patch during pregnancy, use is contraindicated in women over 35 years old, as well as smokers.

Intrauterine devices.

The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) among young people is very limited. For young people who have an irregular sex life, with frequent changes of sexual partners, the use of the IUD according to the WHO recommendations is relatively contraindicated, which is associated with an increased risk of infection. Can an IUD be used at all in young nulliparous women? It is possible, but only in the form of "mini-forms" of spirals and in young women who have one sexual partner, provided that long-term contraception is needed (for 1-2 years), with the simultaneous use of prophylactic agents that reduce the percentage of possible complications.

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO (2nd edition, 2000) developed medical criteria for choosing a method of contraception... which have been divided into 4 categories:

1. A condition in which there are no restrictions on the use of a method of contraception.
2. A condition in which the benefits of a contraceptive method outweigh the theoretical and proven risks of using it.
3. A condition in which the theoretical and proven risk outweighs the benefits of the method of contraception.
4. A condition in which a method of contraception is unacceptable because it poses a health risk.

Absolute contraindications to the use of low-dose combined oral contraceptives (category 4):

lactation (less than 6 weeks after childbirth)

arterial hypertension (blood pressure - BP -160/100 and above, angiopathy)

diabetes mellitus (lasting more than 20 years, nephropathy, retinopathy)

deep vein thrombosis, history of pulmonary embolism

large volume of surgical intervention, long-term immobilization

ischemic heart disease, history of stroke

heart valve disease with complications (pulmonary hypertension, history of subacute bacterial endocarditis)

age over 35 and smoking (more than 15 cigarettes per day)

migraine with focal neurological symptoms

current breast cancer

Conditions and diseases related to the III category of acceptability of low-dose combined oral contraceptives:

breastfeeding (6 weeks to 6 months after childbirth)

postpartum period (less than 21 days) without lactation

smoking over the age of 35 (up to 15 cigarettes)

arterial hypertension (blood pressure 140-159 / 90-99 mm Hg with blood pressure control)

history of breast cancer, no manifestations within the last 5 years

diseases of the biliary tract at present

taking rifampicin and griseofulvin, taking anticonvulsants (phenytoin, barbiturates)

combined risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension)

Conditions and diseases related to the II category of acceptability of low-dose combined oral contraceptives:

breastfeeding (more than 6 months after childbirth)

age over 40

arterial hypertension during pregnancy

smoking under the age of 35

diabetes mellitus without vascular complications

large volume of surgical intervention without long-term immobilization

vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology

thrombophlebitis of superficial veins

uncomplicated heart valve disease

severe frequent headaches, including migraines, without focal neurological symptoms

cervical cancer (before treatment)

asymptomatic course of diseases of the biliary tract, cholecystectomy in history, cholestasis in history associated with pregnancy

obesity (body mass index over 30 kg / m2)

burdened family history of deep vein thrombosis / PE (pulmonary embolism)

Conditions and diseases related to the I category of acceptability of low-dose combined oral contraceptives:

postpartum period without lactation (more than 21 days), after abortion

age up to 40 years

gestational diabetes

phlebeurysm

uterine fibroids

endometriosis

benign breast diseases

benign ovarian disease

endometrial and ovarian cancer

a history of ectopic pregnancy

trophoblastic disease

inactive viral hepatitis

pathology of the thyroid gland (DNTZ, hypo- and hyperthyroidism)

iron-deficiency anemia

epilepsy

Categories I and IV are clear. Category II indicates that a contraceptive method can be used, but close supervision is required. The decision to prescribe a contraceptive method for category III requires serious clinical discussion: the severity of the disease and the acceptability of an alternative method of contraception must be taken into account. Constant supervision is required.

Thus, correctly and in a timely manner, contraception is an opportunity to preserve the reproductive health of a teenager and an expectant mother. Oral contraception helps to reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, has a regulating effect on the menstrual cycle, reduces the incidence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, functional ovarian cysts, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, acne, and is the prevention of first abortion and unplanned first birth. The opportunity given to a young woman to have only the children she wants, and exactly when she is ready for this morally and socially, will ultimately have a beneficial effect on future generations.

Adolescence is a time when physical changes and development of social status occur in the body. This is the period when children are between childhood and adulthood. It occurs between the ages of 12 and 20. Major changes come in the first few years.

But if we consider the changes associated with behavior and attitude with other people, they occur throughout adolescence.

There is such a term as puberty. Translated from Latin, it means "covered with hair." This period marks a time of intense change in early adolescence.

The course of the process of hormonal changes

The main role in this period is played by the hypothalamus. It increases the secretion of substances that produce a large amount of hormones from 8 to 14 years old. They are called gonadotropins. The gonadotropins are the same in both boys and girls. For men, these hormones increase testosterone, and for girls, tarragon.

In most adolescents, the first symptoms of intense physiological changes are the enlargement of the testicles (for boys), mammary glands (for girls). This happens closer to 14 years old. External symptoms of maturation are the response signs to an increase in hormones. As a result, all this is called additional sexual characteristics.

Intensive hair growth (this applies to both boys and girls) and, separately in girls, swelling of the mammary glands are the very first signs of physiological changes. After that, the child begins to grow rapidly and the level of sex hormones rises. Along with this, the growth of hormones also grows. Upon their signal, bone growth stops.

Girls mature 2 years faster than boys. Therefore, they are higher than their peers. In addition, the genitals also grow.

Physiological changes have one difference between girls and boys - this is height.

Estrogen stimulates growth hormone in girls more than testosterone in boys. Many girls start their menstrual cycle at age 12. In boys, during the period of changes, the prostate gland increases.

After 2 years, after the appearance of hair in the pubic area, their growth begins in the armpit area. I have an opportunity . This is due to increased sebaceous glands.

Endocrine Disorders

In the modern world, children have become much shorter in stature than before, but much fatter. This happens for several reasons:

• improper nutrition;
• high aggressiveness;
• weak immunity (get sick regularly).

If we talk about the endocrine system, then in most children it is disrupted. The reasons for this are obesity and the onset of type I and II diabetes. All of these reasons appeared due to ecology and nutrition.

It seems that the children eat well, but to a greater extent the food that is harmful to health, namely: fast food and sugary carbonated drinks. The lifestyle has become immobile, which leads to dysfunction.

The most important risk factor is heredity. If someone has diabetes in the child's family, he should be examined by an endocrinologist 2 times a year, and also eat foods that are useful for the body. Modern children suffer from both the first and. This is known to lead to diabetes.

Parents' mistakes are as follows:

• intensive feeding of the baby - if the baby is not gaining weight and is poorly fed, it should not be force-fed. In this case, you need to contact a gastroenterologist or neurologist. The child may develop gastroenterological diseases;
• lack of constant check of body mass index;
• feeding babies at night when they wake up. In this case, the baby gets used to constantly drinking and eating. Fat cells are laid up to 2 years.

Symptoms

Hormonal disorders have characteristic manifestations:

• long recovery of the child after a viral infection and childhood diseases;
• the need for abundant and frequent drinking;
• frequent urination;
• lethargy and irritability for quite a long time;
• intense weight loss.

All these symptoms can be associated with the onset of diabetes; the appearance of any manifestation is obliged to push the parents to undergo an examination.

Child development and hormones

Hormones play an important role in the functioning and development of the body. It is necessary to know which hormones are very important in children and how to determine the disorders.

Normal growth and development of children is directly dependent on hormones. This requires the correct performance of the endocrine system. If thyroid hormone disorders are not treated in time, there may be undesirable consequences in development over time.

The resulting violations of sex hormones will lead to problems with puberty. When a child's body begins to grow rapidly, diseases should not be ignored, otherwise they will reappear in adulthood.

Thyroid hormones

The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 affect many developmental factors. If these hormones are not enough, then this can lead to hypothyroidism, and subsequently to a violation of the musculoskeletal system, etc.

Signs of a lack of thyroid hormones:

• swelling of the body and face, swelling of the neck and tongue;
• lethargy and inactivity;
• dry skin that causes irritation;
• poor appetite and constipation;
• developmental delay.

In children at school age, hypothyroidism can occur in the form of constipation, regular fatigue, facial swelling and poor concentration.

Thyroid hormones interact with both growth hormones and sex hormones. If there is a lack of them, there may be impaired weight or growth retardation. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies, pass tests, and also check the TSH hormone.

Growth hormones

This hormone is essential for the normal growth of a child. It is responsible for the elongation of bones. Girls stretch much faster, intensive growth begins at the age of 10, and for boys at the age of 12. The growth period ends in boys at the age of 19–20, so they are often taller than girls of their own age.

If growth hormone is produced normally, the baby's body can stretch 10 cm in 1 year. In addition to the hormone, heredity greatly affects growth.

Childhood diseases associated with hormones

If in the child's body there is a huge, which is called insulin, this contributes to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes. This is a rather serious disease and if you start treating it, there can be serious consequences: stroke, heart attack or death.

Diabetes Symptoms:

• weight gain or loss;
• vomiting or pain in the abdomen;
• constant thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dizziness and irritability.

Hormonal problems in adolescents

In adolescence, there is a rather rapid growth and reformation of the body. At this time, the endocrine system begins to work intensively, in particular, the active load is on the adrenal glands. Due to hormones, physical and psychological changes occur in the body of a teenager. Hormonal failure during this period can provoke:

• improper nutritional correction;
• excessive physical fatigue;
• irregular sleep patterns;
• avitaminosis.

In most cases, hormonal changes in adolescents are invisible, there is no specific treatment, since the body itself can normalize the condition after a certain time. But there are also situations when the child needs to be shown to a specialist.

Causes of hormonal disruptions in boys

The balance of hormones is a very fragile mechanism, but there are many reasons why it is quite easily disturbed:

• thyroid disease;
• irregular meals;
• strong stressful situations;
• genetic diseases;
• diseases in the genital area;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• bad ecology;
• drug abuse.

Crash symptoms

As for the characteristic symptoms of a failure, they are as follows:

• Acne is youthful acne. They are more common among children of this age. The appearance of acne is associated with a violation of adolescent hormones. The balance between estrogens and androgens is disturbed, where male hormones prevail over female. The sebaceous glands perceive this process negatively. This symptom usually does not require special treatment and goes away on its own without complications. In rare cases, it is necessary to take antibacterial drugs in the form of tablets or ointments.
• Excessive sweating - in this case, a disease such as hyperhidrosis may occur. Its norms can be considered if no other symptoms are observed. Its appearance is associated with very frequent hormonal disorders in children. These disorders affect the sympathetic system. She, in turn, controls the performance of the sweat glands. In some cases, sweating is a sign of the onset of very dangerous diseases such as thyroid intensity, diabetes and heart disease.

• Growth dysfunction - bone tissue grows due to growth hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland. If there is not enough growth hormone in the body, then a person's growth will slow down significantly, and also there is a retardation of physical development. If this hormone is in excess in the body, then there is a danger of appearance.
• Aggression and irritability - changes in the psyche of a teenager appear due to the fact that sex hormones begin to affect the central nervous system. There is a decrease in the threshold of excitability, variability of the autonomic nervous system. In such a situation, emotional disturbances can very often be observed (sudden mood swings, increased feelings and emotions, as well as alienation from the world around).
• Changes in body weight - the intensive working capacity of the adrenal glands, which produce glucocorticoids, contribute to weight gain or weight loss with normal or high appetite.

Pathological processes

The arrest of sexual development occurs due to the wrong similarity of hormones, that is, a lack of testosterone in boys. In this case, voice breaking does not occur, and growth remains low. In rare cases, boys have enlarged mammary glands. This phenomenon passes after a while. Sometimes the cause of this process is a tumor of the testicles or adrenal glands.

If testosterone rises rapidly, then puberty occurs faster. The musculoskeletal system develops intensively, hair appears in the groin area, but the testicles remain of a standard size. The boy's physical development is absolutely inconsistent with his psycho-emotional development.

Hormonal failure of girls

A symptom of hormonal imbalance is menstrual irregularities. Early puberty appears in connection with a malfunction of the hypothalamus and the onset of menstruation before the age of 10 years.

In addition, the breasts begin to enlarge, hair appears in the groin and armpits. necessary if menstruation is not observed at the age of 15 years. This is not always a symptom of disorders in the performance of the ovaries and pituitary gland, it depends on the physiological characteristics of the girl.

The hormonal background in girls fluctuates at the beginning of hormonal changes. For this reason, the menstrual cycle is not stable. If the progesterone level is quite low, then the uterus cannot reject blood in time. The cycle of menstruation is normalized for 2 years. To diagnose a serious malfunction of the glands, it is necessary to see a doctor in the absence of menstruation for a long time.

Hormonal imbalance treatment

After the child has passed all the necessary examinations, the doctor must prescribe individual treatment. Most often, drugs are prescribed homeopathic or synthetic similarity of hormones. Constant stress or nervous disorders can lead to the appearance of hormonal disorders in children.

If the situation is neglected, then surgical intervention is required, and after that hormonal treatment is carried out. The main thing is the correct daily regimen and nutrition, rest and necessary physical exercises.

It is worth contacting a doctor if a child has the following disorders:

• the child does not perceive information well;
• forgets a lot from what he heard or learned in the lesson;
• unable to read, write or be in class for a long time.

Hormonal balance means a lot to the full development of a teenager. The prosperous future of a child depends on the normal functioning of adolescent hormones. Any disorder in the production of hormones leads to pathologies.

Hormones play an important role in the proper maturation of the body. They are responsible for the growth of the body, mental development, puberty. Therefore, endocrine disorders in childhood lead not only to various diseases, but also to developmental delays, which in adulthood simply cannot be compensated for. IllnessNews will tell you what symptoms should alert parents and become a reason for an examination with an endocrinologist.

Growth hormone (somatotropin) is responsible for the growth of bones in length - it is under its action that children "stretch" in literally a matter of months. Of course, growth is due not only to hormonal influences, but also to heredity. But still, parents should take a closer look at the child's health, if during certain periods of active growth is not observed.

The main parameters of the increase:

• 1st year of life - body length increases by 25-30 cm.
• 2nd year - up to 12 cm.
• 3rd year - approximately 6 cm.
• 10-14 years old (for girls) - about 8-12 cm.
• 12-16 years old (for boys) - 10-14 cm.

The activation of growth hormone and sex hormones during adolescence is called pubertal leap, in which the body length can increase by 20%. Such a sharp increase in the length of the bones is possible only when they still have "growth zones" - a specific cartilaginous tissue at the ends. After it is completely ossified, the activation of somatotropin can lead to the expansion of the bones in breadth, their deformation, but can no longer significantly affect the growth of the child. Therefore, if body length does not increase properly, you need to contact an endocrinologist as soon as possible.

Diabetes risk in children

Doctors distinguish 2 types of diabetes mellitus. The first (insulin-dependent, complete lack of the hormone insulin) most often manifests itself in childhood, as it is associated with the pathology of the pancreas. The second (insulin resistance - the insensitivity of cells to the hormone), on the contrary, is considered an acquired disease and often develops in adults who are obese and malnourished. However, doctors note that in recent years, type 2 diabetes has become significantly younger and now occurs even in schoolchildren.

Risks of developing the disease:

• Type 1 diabetes: 2-5% - if the mother is sick, 5-6% - if the father is sick, 15-20% - if both parents are sick.
• Type 2 diabetes: the onset of insulin resistance after 40 years in 50%, if one of the parents was sick. Moreover, the key factor is not so much heredity as eating habits and lifestyle.

Therefore, if there are diabetics in the family, it is important to pay maximum attention to the healthy diet of the child and his sports activities. An endocrinologist's consultation is necessary for the following symptoms:

• Sudden weight loss or gain.
• Constant feeling of thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Itching, poorly healing wounds.
• Slow recovery from acute respiratory viral infections or other infectious diseases.
• Changes in character: fatigue, drowsiness, or, conversely, irritability.

Thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine T3 and thyroxine T4) significantly affect the growth and development of the child. It is with them, in particular, that mental development is associated, they also interact with growth hormone and sex hormones. In fact, disruptions in the synthesis of T3 and T4 affect the health of the child as a whole, moreover, it is these endocrine disorders that are most common. For example, congenital hypothyroidism (lack of hormones) is observed in 1 out of 4000 newborns in the Russian Federation. Thyrotoxicosis (hyperfunction of the thyroid gland) is more often diagnosed in adolescents.

These endocrine disruptions may initially manifest as general symptoms of deteriorating health. With hypothyroidism, a child is characterized by:

• Fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness.
• Learning problems, poor assimilation of information, difficulty remembering.
• Weight gain.
• Growth retardation (thyroid-stimulating hormones affect growth hormone).
• Brittle, thinning hair.
• Puffiness (especially the face swells).

With thyrotoxicosis:

• Irritability, tearfulness, often aggressiveness.
• Neck enlargement (goiter).
• Bulging eyes.
• Unhealthy thinness, weight loss with normal appetite.
• Dry thin skin.

Signs of a violation of the synthesis of sex hormones

Sex hormones are activated starting from 8-10 years old, and already by 12-14 years old their influence is clearly noticeable on the development of the child. Moreover, in boys, puberty occurs several years later than in girls. Sex hormones are very important not only for fertile function, but also for the proper development of the body. Their lack can even affect the mental abilities of the child, often children with such endocrine disorders have developmental delays. At the same time, the synthesis of estrogens and androgens is closely related to the production of thyroid hormones, the functioning of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands and other organs of the endocrine system. Therefore, such hormonal disruptions are often a sign of serious illness. Delayed sexual development can be a consequence of hypothyroidism, and excessive hormone production - generally speaking about the presence of tumors.

Alarming symptoms that parents should pay attention to:

• Secondary sexual characteristics appear before 8 years (in girls) and up to 9 years (in boys).
• Secondary sexual characteristics do not appear until the age of 14-15. For example, a boy’s voice doesn’t get rough and a girl’s menstruation doesn’t start.
• Severe growth retardation from peers of the same sex.
• Only part of the secondary sexual characteristics is observed. For example, in girls, only pubic hair appears (it may be a symptom of an adrenal tumor), but the figure does not change, the mammary glands do not enlarge, and menstruation does not begin.

The listed symptoms should be the reason for a complete examination of the child by an endocrinologist. The doctor conducts a physical examination: hormonal disruptions are reflected in the appearance, so often at this stage the specialist may suspect possible violations. But to confirm the diagnosis, laboratory examinations are required. Among the standard diagnostic procedures, the following are carried out:

• Blood tests for hormones (sex hormones, the hormone TSH, which is responsible for the synthesis of T3 and T4).
• X-ray of the hands and wrist joints (the size of the bone growth zones is checked). Important research when choosing a treatment for growth hormone deficiency.
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
• Additional examinations of the endocrine system organs. They are carried out with excessive production of hormones to identify possible tumors.

Hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the thyroid gland is a congenital pathology. During the period of intrauterine growth, it did not have time to form to a normal state and remained small in size. Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland in adolescents does not allow the weak organ to adequately perform its functions.

The thyroid gland, which has not had time to develop to the desired state, deprives an almost adult child of a full-fledged existence. The young patient lacks the metabolic processes of the body, the construction and growth of almost all tissues slows down, and chronic depression of the central nervous system develops. The most important part of the organs of internal secretion is not able to provide the growing organism with a sufficient volume of thyroid hormones, which leads to a slowdown in the mental and physical development of the patient.

Causes of occurrence

Why, at some point in the intrauterine development of the fetus, does the thyroid gland stop growing? Medicine claims that the main reason for the onset of pathology is chronic iodine deficiency in the body of the expectant mother. Iodine is an essential building material for a healthy thyroid gland. Its deficiency leads to inhibition of the maturation of this important organ.

The second cause of congenital disease is maternal hypothyroidism, which has not been treated. Hypothyroidism is expressed in the suppression of the functions of the thyroid gland of the expectant mother, as a result of which there is a stop in the development of the fetal thyroid gland.

An equally important cause of the disease is genetic inheritance. A weak thyroid gland in older generations does not allow this organ to develop normally in children.

Disease symptoms

A teenager, whose thyroid gland is in an underdeveloped state, is always in a depressed state. This comes from a general psychological and physical deficiency, which the child is "rewarded" by hypoplasia. The main symptoms with a small thyroid gland:

• chronic lethargy;
• fast fatiguability;
• weak memory;
• low academic performance;
• lack of appetite;
• a tendency to edema;
• frequent constipation;
• constantly low body temperature.

The nervous system of the child suffers most from the disease. Therefore, in childhood, the child begins to walk later and later pronounces the first words of his peers. In the future, there is a slower development of the growing organism and by adolescence, the child often lags behind the norm at the physical and mental level.

Hypoplasia treatment

Pathology diagnosed at an early stage can be effectively treated and prevented from possible complications.

Due to the constant lack of hormones produced by a weak gland, the treatment of hypoplasia in traditional medicine is reduced to the constant intake of hormonal agents. The course of thyroid hormones stretches for the rest of a teenager's life. Most often, endocrinologists prescribe the patient to take L-thyroxine for life.
In some cases, the use of thyrostatic drugs in conjunction with beta-blockers (for example, mercazolil, lithium carbonate and anaprilin) \u200b\u200bgives a positive trend already in the first week of treatment.

Hormone replacement therapy can be supplemented by periodic intake of iodine-containing drugs. The need for their use is assessed by the doctor under whose supervision the teenager is.

In addition to therapy, the patient is offered to adjust his lifestyle. This is necessary in order to minimize the load on the thyroid gland. Correction consists in developing proper nutrition, changing the daytime regimen, and regular rest in sanatorium-resort areas.

Is prevention possible

Since hypoplasia of the thyroid gland in adolescents is a congenital disease, it is difficult to talk about effective prevention. Bearing in mind that pathology arises from acute iodine deficiency in the body of the mother and fetus, it is worth paying special attention to nutrition during pregnancy.

An equally important factor is the climatic conditions in which a teenager is born and develops. A growing body must receive a sufficient amount of a complex of vitamins and minerals not only from food, but also from the environment.

Already at the stage of pregnancy, the mother should take care of good nutrition, fresh air and clean water. For example, residents of the Far North, due to their geographical location, experience chronic lack of sunlight and vitamin-rich products. This leads to disruptions during pregnancy, which is fraught with the emergence of complex pathologies. In such conditions, the treatment of hypoplasia in a teenager is complicated, and endocrinologists often advise parents to change the climate.

Hormonal balance in a teenager's body

But if we consider the changes associated with behavior and attitude with other people, they occur throughout adolescence.

There is such a term as puberty. Translated from Latin, it means "covered with hair." This period marks a time of intense change in early adolescence.

The course of the process of hormonal changes

The main role in this period is played by the hypothalamus. It increases the secretion of substances that produce a large amount of hormones from 8 to 14 years old. They are called gonadotropins. The gonadotropins are the same in both boys and girls. For men, these hormones increase testosterone, and for girls, tarragon.

In most adolescents, the first symptoms of intense physiological changes are the enlargement of the testicles (for boys), mammary glands (for girls). This happens closer to 14 years old. External symptoms of maturation are the response signs to an increase in hormones. As a result, all this is called additional sexual characteristics.

Intensive hair growth (this applies to both boys and girls) and, separately in girls, swelling of the mammary glands are the very first signs of physiological changes. After that, the child begins to grow rapidly and the level of sex hormones rises. Together with this, insulin-like growth factor I and the growth of hormones grow. Upon their signal, bone growth stops.

Girls mature 2 years faster than boys. Therefore, they are higher than their peers. In addition, the genitals also grow.

Physiological changes have one difference between girls and boys - this is height.

Estrogen stimulates growth hormone in girls more than testosterone in boys. Many girls start their menstrual cycle at age 12. In boys, during the period of changes, the prostate gland increases.

After 2 years, after the appearance of hair in the pubic area, their growth begins in the armpit area. There is a possibility of acne on the face. This is due to increased sebaceous glands.

Endocrine Disorders

In the modern world, children have become much shorter in stature than before, but much fatter. This happens for several reasons:

• improper nutrition;
• high aggressiveness;
• weak immunity (get sick regularly).

If we talk about the endocrine system, then in most children it is disrupted. The reasons for this are obesity and the onset of type I and II diabetes. All of these reasons appeared due to ecology and nutrition.

It seems that the children eat well, but to a greater extent the food that is harmful to health, namely: fast food and sugary carbonated drinks. The lifestyle has become immobile, which leads to dysfunction.

The most important risk factor is heredity. If someone has diabetes in the child's family, he should be examined by an endocrinologist 2 times a year, and also eat foods that are useful for the body. Modern children suffer from both first and second degree obesity. This is known to lead to diabetes.

Parents' mistakes are as follows:

• intensive feeding of the baby - if the baby is not gaining weight and is poorly fed, it should not be force-fed. In this case, you need to contact a gastroenterologist or neurologist. The child may develop gastroenterological diseases;
• lack of constant check of body mass index;
• feeding babies at night when they wake up. In this case, the baby gets used to constantly drinking and eating. Fat cells are laid up to 2 years.

Symptoms

Hormonal disorders have characteristic manifestations:

• long recovery of the child after a viral infection and childhood diseases;
• the need for abundant and frequent drinking;
• frequent urination;
• lethargy and irritability for quite a long time;
• intense weight loss.

All these symptoms can be associated with the onset of diabetes; the appearance of any manifestation is obliged to push the parents to undergo an examination.

Child development and hormones

Hormones play an important role in the functioning and development of the body. It is necessary to know which hormones are very important in children and how to determine the disorders.

Normal growth and development of children is directly dependent on hormones. This requires the correct performance of the endocrine system. If thyroid hormone disorders are not treated in time, there may be undesirable consequences in development over time.

The resulting violations of sex hormones will lead to problems with puberty. When a child's body begins to grow rapidly, diseases should not be ignored, otherwise they will reappear in adulthood.

Thyroid hormones

The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 affect many developmental factors. If these hormones are not enough, then this can lead to hypothyroidism, and subsequently to a violation of the musculoskeletal system and cretinism.

Signs of a lack of thyroid hormones:

• swelling of the body and face, swelling of the neck and tongue;
• lethargy and inactivity;
• dry skin that causes irritation;
• poor appetite and constipation;
• developmental delay.

In children at school age, hypothyroidism can occur in the form of constipation, regular fatigue, facial swelling and poor concentration.

Thyroid hormones interact with both growth hormones and sex hormones. If there is a lack of them, there may be impaired weight or growth retardation. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies, pass tests, and also check the TSH hormone.

Growth hormones

This hormone is essential for the normal growth of a child. It is responsible for the elongation of bones. Girls stretch much faster, intensive growth begins at the age of 10, and for boys at the age of 12. The growth period ends in boys at the age of 19–20, so they are often taller than girls of their own age.

If growth hormone is produced normally, the baby's body can stretch 10 cm in 1 year. In addition to the hormone, heredity greatly affects growth.

Childhood diseases associated with hormones

If there is a huge shortage of a hormone called insulin in a child's body, this contributes to the onset of type 1 diabetes. This is a rather serious disease and if you start treating it, there can be serious consequences: stroke, heart attack or death.

Diabetes Symptoms:

• weight gain or loss;
• vomiting or pain in the abdomen;
• constant thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dizziness and irritability.

Hormonal problems in adolescents

In adolescence, there is a rather rapid growth and reformation of the body. At this time, the endocrine system begins to work intensively, in particular, the active load is on the adrenal glands. Due to hormones, physical and psychological changes occur in the body of a teenager. Hormonal failure during this period can provoke:

• improper nutritional correction;
• excessive physical fatigue;
• irregular sleep patterns;
• avitaminosis.

In most cases, hormonal changes in adolescents are invisible, there is no specific treatment, since the body itself can normalize the condition after a certain time. But there are also situations when the child needs to be shown to a specialist.

Causes of hormonal disruptions in boys

The balance of hormones is a very fragile mechanism, but there are many reasons why it is quite easily disturbed:

• thyroid disease;
• irregular meals;
• strong stressful situations;
• genetic diseases;
• diseases in the genital area;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• bad ecology;
• drug abuse.

Crash symptoms

As for the characteristic symptoms of a failure, they are as follows:

• Acne is youthful acne. They are more common among children of this age. The appearance of acne is associated with a violation of adolescent hormones. The balance between estrogens and androgens is disturbed, where male hormones prevail over female. The sebaceous glands perceive this process negatively. This symptom usually does not require special treatment and goes away on its own without complications. In rare cases, it is necessary to take antibacterial drugs in the form of tablets or ointments.
• Excessive sweating - in this case, a disease such as hyperhidrosis may occur. Its norms can be considered if no other symptoms are observed. Its appearance is associated with very frequent hormonal disorders in children. These disorders affect the sympathetic system. She, in turn, controls the performance of the sweat glands. In some cases, sweating is a sign of the onset of very dangerous diseases such as thyroid intensity, diabetes and heart disease.

• Growth dysfunction - bone tissue grows due to growth hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland. If there is not enough growth hormone in the body, then a person's growth will slow down significantly, and also there is a retardation of physical development. If this hormone is in excess in the body, then there is a danger of the appearance of gigantism.
• Aggression and irritability - changes in the psyche of a teenager appear due to the fact that sex hormones begin to affect the central nervous system. There is a decrease in the threshold of excitability, variability of the autonomic nervous system. In such a situation, emotional disturbances can very often be observed (sudden mood swings, increased feelings and emotions, as well as alienation from the world around).
• Changes in body weight - the intensive working capacity of the adrenal glands, which produce glucocorticoids, contribute to weight gain or weight loss with normal or high appetite.

Pathological processes

The arrest of sexual development occurs due to the wrong similarity of hormones, that is, a lack of testosterone in boys. In this case, voice breaking does not occur, and growth remains low. In rare cases, boys have enlarged mammary glands. This phenomenon passes after a while. Sometimes the cause of this process is a tumor of the testicles or adrenal glands.

If testosterone rises rapidly, then puberty occurs faster. The musculoskeletal system develops intensively, hair appears in the groin area, but the testicles remain of a standard size. The boy's physical development is absolutely inconsistent with his psycho-emotional development.

Hormonal failure of girls

A symptom of hormonal imbalance is menstrual irregularities. Early puberty appears in connection with a malfunction of the hypothalamus and the onset of menstruation before the age of 10 years.

In addition, the breasts begin to enlarge, hair appears in the groin and armpits. It is necessary to consult an endocrinologist if menstruation is not observed at the age of 15 years. This is not always a symptom of disorders in the performance of the ovaries and pituitary gland, it depends on the physiological characteristics of the girl.

The hormonal background in girls fluctuates at the beginning of hormonal changes. For this reason, the menstrual cycle is not stable. If the progesterone level is quite low, then the uterus cannot reject blood in time. The cycle of menstruation is normalized for 2 years. To diagnose a serious malfunction of the glands, it is necessary to see a doctor in the absence of menstruation for a long time.

Hormonal imbalance treatment

After the child has passed all the necessary examinations, the doctor must prescribe individual treatment. Most often, drugs are prescribed homeopathic or synthetic similarity of hormones. Constant stress or nervous disorders can lead to the appearance of hormonal disorders in children.

If the situation is neglected, then surgical intervention is required, and after that hormonal treatment is carried out. The main thing is the correct daily regimen and nutrition, rest and necessary physical exercises.

It is worth contacting a doctor if a child has the following disorders:

• the child does not perceive information well;
• forgets a lot from what he heard or learned in the lesson;
• unable to read, write or be in class for a long time.

Hormonal balance means a lot to the full development of a teenager. The prosperous future of a child depends on the normal functioning of adolescent hormones. Any disorder in the production of hormones leads to pathologies.

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FSH blood test

In men and women, the work of the reproductive system is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary region of the brain. It is in the central endocrine glands that gonadotropic hormones are produced that stimulate the ovaries or testes.

Reproductive system

The human reproductive system functions according to the principle of feedback (positive and negative). Its three levels (hypothalamus, pituitary gland, sex glands) have a constant influence on each other.

Tropic hormones of the pituitary gland are produced under control:

• inhibin;
• gonadoliberin;
• androgens and estrogens.

Sex steroids are secreted by the ovaries or testes. If the concentration of these substances in the blood falls, then the synthesis of tropic hormones in the brain increases. Conversely, when there are a lot of estrogens or androgens, the formation of gonadotropins in the pituitary gland is suppressed. The hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH via gonadoliberin. Suppresses the synthesis of follicle-stimulating hormone and inhibin (a product of the seminiferous tubules of the testicle or ovarian cells).

Tropic hormones of the reproductive system

Tropic hormones of the pituitary gland for the reproductive system:

• follicle stimulating (FSH);
• luteinizing (LH).

Each of these hormones has a different task in the body of men and women.

Biological action of FSH:

• supports the growth of follicles in the ovaries;
• triggers the proliferation of granulosa cells in the follicles;
• increases the synthesis of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogens;
• increases the production of estradiol;
• helps to improve the sensitivity of the maturing egg to LH;
• acts on Sertoli cells in the testes;
• starts the process of spermatogenesis in men.

The function of LH is to increase the concentration of testosterone in the blood in men. In women, this hormone is responsible for ovulation and an increase in progesterone levels during phase 2 of the menstrual cycle.

Gonadotropins are produced in the anterior pituitary gland. FSH is released into the blood in a pulse mode. The pause between concentration peaks reaches 2-4 hours. The FSH level during the impulse ejection is 1.5-2 times higher than the average. The peak lasts about 15-20 minutes.

Gonadotropins in adult men are synthesized in a stable rhythm. Their concentration in the blood of FSH and LH is always approximately equal. There are small seasonal fluctuations in concentration. In the summer months, the level of FSH in men is higher than in the spring, autumn and winter.

In women of reproductive age, the hormones LH and FSH are released into the blood cyclically. It is their uneven secretion that allows you to maintain fertility. Due to the decrease and increase in the concentration of LH and FSH, the maturation of the egg occurs and the phases of the menstrual cycle change.

When to donate blood for FSH

The study of gonadotropic hormones is indicated for women:

• with primary and secondary infertility;
• in the absence of ovulation by tests and ultrasound;
• when choosing oral contraceptives;
• to control hormonal treatment of gynecological problems;
• to determine the ovarian reserve;
• for the diagnosis of menopause;
• when diagnostics of the cycle phase is needed;
• with menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea;
• with habitual miscarriage;
• in girls with premature sexual development;
• in girls with delayed puberty;
• with delayed physical development;
• patients with polycystic and / or endometriosis;
• with dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
• patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages.

Men can also be assigned this test.

• decreased sex drive;
• erectile disfunction;
• male factor of infertility;
• growth retardation and impaired sexual development.

Blood for FSH is usually donated in a comprehensive analysis for sex steroids and gonadotropins. To see the whole picture, the doctor needs to know the level of FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, etc. If necessary, the examination is supplemented with instrumental techniques: ultrasound, tomography, etc.

Preparation for analysis

In women, the day of the menstrual cycle is of great importance for the FSH level. If the doctor has not recommended otherwise, then blood should be donated at the very beginning of the first phase. It is permissible to carry out the analysis from 2 to 7 days of the cycle, but preferably from 2 to 4.

If a woman has menopause, amenorrhea during reproductive age, or an irregular cycle, the study can be done any day.

In men, FSH is determined on any day.

To prepare you need:

• exclude heavy physical activity for 3 days;
• quit smoking 1 hour before blood sampling.

The analysis must be taken on an empty stomach (8-14 hours after dinner). The preferred time for blood collection is from 8 am to 11 am.

FSH rate

The analysis is interpreted by the doctor. FSH is measured in international units (mU / ml).

The norm for FSH in boys of the first year of life is considered to be a value of up to 3.5. From 1 to 5 years, this figure should be less than 1.5. At the age of a boy from 6 to 10 years old with physiological development of FSH is less than 3. In adolescents 11-14 years old, the hormone should be in the range from 0.4 to 6.3. In young men 15-20 years old, FSH is considered normal from 0.5 to 10. Adult men have a hormone level from 1 to 12.

In girls, FSH is on average higher. In the first year of life, it can be up to 20.3, then up to 5 years - up to 6.1 and further up to 10 years - no more than 4.6. In older girls prior to menarche, FSH can range from 0.2 to 8.8.

In girls with the onset of menstruation and in adult women, the hormone is most dependent on the phase of the cycle.

FSH rate:

• first phase 1.37-9.9;
• ovulation 6.17-17.2;
• second phase 1.1-9.2.

In women, after the termination of the menstrual cycle, there is a sharp increase in the level of FSH in the blood. The hormone during this period of life is in the range from 19 to 101.

For women, not only the level of FSH itself is of great importance, but also its ratio with LH.

So, the LH / FSH ratio:

• equal to 1 to menarche;
• equal to 1-1.5 after 12 months from the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
• equal to 1.5-2 for a woman of childbearing age.

The ratio is disturbed when ovarian function is impaired.

Interpretation of analysis results

Elevated and insufficient FSH levels occur in different clinical situations.

A high indicator indicates:

• primary hypogonadism;
• true depletion of ovarian reserves;
• genetic syndromes (Svaer, Shereshevsky-Turner);
• testicular feminization;
• follicle persistence;
• endomethyroid ovarian cyst;
• glandular tumor of the pituitary gland, etc.

Low FSH occurs when:

• the central form of hypogonadism;
• pituitary dwarfism;
• congenital and acquired syndromes (for example, Sheehan);
• high concentration of prolactin;
• obesity, etc.

Only a doctor can decipher the analyzes and prescribe treatment. For medical help, you can contact the staff of antenatal clinics, perinatal centers, reproductive clinics, etc.