Today there is an increase in the number of diseases that are associated with the malfunctioning of the human endocrine system. Contributes to this unfavorable ecological situation, a large number of genetically modified products and hereditary factors. In women, disruptions in the endocrine system often provoke various gynecological diseases. In such cases, hormone tests allow you to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment. Therefore it is very important to know when and which ones to take correctly in order to get the most reliable results. In addition, today, studies on sex hormones are very much in demand when planning pregnancy.
Causes of hormonal failures and when tests are prescribed
Female hormones are responsible for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. Therefore, most often the blood test for the amount of hormones is carried out with suspicion of infertility. It is generally accepted that if pregnancy does not occur within six months with a regular sexual life, this indicates a malfunction in the endocrine system. The reasons for this may be very different, but the most common are the following:
- genetic predisposition,
- persistent stress situations,
- prolonged reception of contraceptives without agreement with the doctor,
- severe physical activity,
- parasites.
Studies can be administered if there is any external sign of hormonal imbalance. They are recommended for:
- versatile retardation in sexual development,
- multiple miscarriages,
- malfunctioning of the menstrual cycle,
- polycystic ovary,
- neoplasms in the ovaries,
- appearance of excess weight without changing diet,
- , skin problems,
- baldness or accelerated hair growthon the body.
To hand over these analyzes it is necessary at different times. Assigned to specific days of the cycle, so you should know when to donate blood to get a reliable result, which can also be used when planning the future birth of a child.
Preparation for the delivery of the
assays Whenever blood sampling for the study is carried out, it is necessary to prepare beforehand. For a few days, it is necessary to reduce physical activity and, if possible, eliminate stressful situations. Emotional state of a person on the day of blood sampling should be calm, otherwise the results will be distorted. In addition, you need:
- for a few days to exclude from the diet all fatty foods,
- for a day to give up smoking, alcoholic drinks and sex,
- for 12 hours completely abandon the meal, you can drink only clean water in small quantities.
As a rule, it is necessary to donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach. When a person takes any hormonal drugs, then he must definitely warn the doctor about this.
Types of the main female sex hormones and the features of the
assays. Women develop both female sex hormones( estrogens) and male( androgens) in the body. It is their balance that ensures the normal development of the female body as a whole. Focusing on the resulting transcript can be planned pregnancy. Female sex hormones are represented by a large number of various substances, and they largely affect the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Therefore, in the presence of any abnormalities, the endocrinologist necessarily appoints a specific day when blood is taken for examination.
Estradiol and estriol
In the group of female hormones, the most revealing are estradiol and estriol. They are produced mainly by the ovaries and partly by the adrenal glands. These substances are most indicative in determining the correct functioning of the genital function of a woman. The most active and powerful is estradiol, but during pregnancy and its planning, estriol comes to the fore. Under the influence of these substances, the formation of a female figure and the character of a woman is taking place. When there is an excess of these substances, there is an increase in fatty deposits, on the other hand, a deficiency leads to an increase in the hair cover on the body and premature aging of the skin. The main functions of these substances:
- development of normal primary and secondary sexual characteristics,
- adjustment of the menstrual cycle,
- development of the uterus during child bearing,
- formation of the egg.
In case of any failure of these functions, the level of the substance in the blood must be checked. The analysis is correct to take on the 21-22 day of the menstrual cycle. A significant deviation in the level of these substances in the upward direction may indicate neoplasms in the ovaries. With a decrease - there may be no ovulation and, as a consequence, the development of infertility.
Progesterone
Despite the fact that this hormone refers to masculine, it plays a significant role for a woman. Progesterone in a small amount is produced by the adrenal glands, but a very important factor is its production by the ovaries at the time of release of the oocyte from the follicle. This substance is directly responsible for the normal bearing of the fetus, and an insufficient amount of it can lead to a miscarriage. In the process of producing the fetus, this hormone is produced up to 16 weeks in a yellow body, and subsequently directly by the placenta. Deficiency of progesterone does not allow planning the child. Deviations from the normative value are allowed only during pregnancy. In all cases, they are evidence of serious pathology.
The analysis for progesterone is correct on the 19-23 day of the menstrual cycle and the indications for it are:
- absence of menstruation or irregular menstrual cycle,
- uterine bleeding,
- infertility,
- threat of miscarriage during pregnancy.
General hormonal examination
For general examination, if there is a suspected malfunction of the hormonal background or when planning pregnancy, tests for substances produced by the pituitary gland are prescribed. In this case, blood testing is required for 3-5 days of the menstrual cycle. Deviations from normative values can be caused by tumors of the pituitary gland.
Luteinizing hormone in women regulates the work of the sex glands in terms of producing estrogen, it affects ovulation and the formation of the yellow body. In addition, this sex hormone is responsible for many functions of the female body, so the analysis for determining its level can be prescribed in a wide variety of cases:
- with deviations from normal sexual development,
- in the absence of sexual desire,
- for malfunctions in the menstrual cycle,
- for polycystic ovaries,
- with infertility.
Increased levels of luteinizing hormone may be caused by increased physical activity associated with sports training, fasting while dieting for weight loss and stressful situations.
Follicle-stimulating hormone provides the formation and growth of follicles in the ovaries. The maximum level of this substance determines the moment of ovulation. During the menopause, increasing the level of this hormone is considered the norm. In addition, a large amount of this substance appears after X-ray irradiation. Carrying out the study is shown when:
- sexual development disorders, with both delay and acceleration,
- lack of ovulation,
- menstrual irregularity,
- obesity,
- recurrent malfunctions in the menstrual cycle,
- infertility.
Prolactin plays an important role in the production of progesterone in the female body during pregnancy. In addition, this hormone provides the conditions for lactation. Deviations from the norm of this hormone are allowed only when the child is born, in all other cases it indicates the presence of serious pathologies. They pass tests in the following cases:
- for mastopathy,
- for malfunctioning in the menstrual cycle,
- in the absence of ovulation,
- with a decrease in sexual desire,
- for obesity.
Testosterone
Testosterone refers to male sex hormones and in the female body is produced in a small number of ovaries and adrenal glands. He is responsible for the sexuality of women, but in addition it affects the normal functioning of the most diverse organs and systems of the body. But, perhaps, the most important function of the hormone is the effect on the maturation of the follicle in the ovaries, therefore, this study can be conducted in the planning of pregnancy.
In the analysis, the level of free testosterone is important, which can confirm the existing hormonal imbalance. To give blood for the determination of the amount of testosterone should be on the 6-10th day of the menstrual cycle. Indications for the appointment of the study are:
- amenorrhea or irregular menstruation,
- absence of ovulation,
- polycystic ovary,
- benign formations in the uterus.
A slight increase in testosterone can be observed in decoding at high physical loads. The lack of testosterone is noted by the lack of sexual desire and, as a consequence, the development of frigidity.
Analysis for hormones during pregnancy
The role of sex hormones in the period of gestation is difficult to overestimate. But this study is not mandatory when registering a pregnant woman. As a rule, this analysis is appointed by the doctor in case of threat of spontaneous abortion on any day. Also, the interpretation of the data can make it clear if the fetus is suspected of developing abnormalities.
The most common blood test is to determine the level of the following substances:
- Progesterone, which is responsible for the successful bearing of the fetus. In most cases, this analysis is given in the second half of pregnancy on any given day in order to track how well the placenta is coping with the production of this substance. In addition, it is recommended to hand over it in cases when the intended term of labor has passed and it is required to establish whether the fetal repetition is true or pathological.
- Estradiol and estriol, which are responsible for the safe passage of pregnancy. The day of the study is appointed by the doctor as necessary. The fall in the level of these substances almost always causes a spontaneous miscarriage.
- Alpha-fetoprotein, which is a very important hormone indicative of normal fetal development. It is produced directly by the fetus and penetrates the woman's body through the placenta. When there is a deviation from the norm, this indicates the presence of congenital pathologies.
When the results have significant deviations from the norm in any direction, then, as a rule, repeated investigations are made to eliminate the error. It is important that they are conducted in the same laboratory. Very rarely there is a deviation from the norm of one particular hormone. And when imbalance affects a group of hormones, it leads to a serious hormonal failure and to the inability to fulfill the scheduling of the birth of a future child. Accurate diagnosis, based on correct interpretation of the data will allow qualified doctors of various specializations to conduct timely adequate treatment and eliminate existing problems.
