Hormones during menopause: the rate of estradiol in women, estrogen

It's no secret that during the menopause in women occurs a number of changes, including in hormone levels. But what changes undergo female hormones in menopause for sure, few people know. Recalling the ancient Latin statement "Forewarned - is forearmed," should make appropriate conclusion: reliable information about future changes will allow to properly respond to them offensive.

Let's talk about the main female sex hormones and their role in the functioning of the body and the metamorphoses that occur during menopause in this invisible eye, but no less real area.

What happens to hormones during menopause?

Approximately 35 - 40 years in a woman's body begins the very first in-depth changes, the final result of which is the completion of the reproductive function. These changes will not happen overnight - nature provides for a gradual entry into menopause. Sometimes, from the beginning of climacteric changes before the end of a decade passes. And during all this time the hormonal system of the woman undergoes a complex transformation.

The main sex hormone, regulating the activity of the reproductive system of the body throughout life, They are: Estrogens (particularly Estradiol), progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Each of them carries out its important and irreplaceable function.

With 35 years in a woman's ovaries gradually decreased estrogen production. This is due to the gradual depletion of follicles, the amount of which is laid at birth and are not replenished during the entire life cycle. Gradually maturing eggs within the follicles occurs less frequently. The whole complex of these processes leads to the first failure of the menstrual cycle, and then to a complete cessation of monthly bleeding.

Simultaneously with the reduction of estrogen concentrations observed and a reduction in progesterone - another significant hormone for the female body. He is responsible for the continuation of the pregnancy in the reproductive age, as well as for updating the epithelial layers. Accordingly, reduction in the amount of the substance is gradually thinning the endometrium, which is also one of the conditions for the cessation of menses.

How the body responds to the hormonal failure?

It is important to know that hormonal changes affect the activity not only the reproductive system, but almost the entire body.

1. For example, there are failures in the hypothalamus. This section of the brain responsible for regulating all the major processes in the human body, in particular, the mechanisms of sleep and waking, hunger and thirst, fear and pleasure.
2. Reducing the level of progesterone causes a response from the hypothalamus - increased by production of follicle stimulating hormone, he is trying to stimulate the ovaries to work on the synthesis of the missing hormone. It was the malfunction of this part of the brain is due to the presence of hot flashes episodes. For some reason, the normal body temperature starts to be perceived by him as elevated that is supported by appropriate reactions: chills without fever, Sweating, weakness, palpitations.
3. The autonomic nervous system is one of the first to respond to changes in hormonal levels. This is manifested decrease of adaptive properties of the mind to external stimuli. For example, unexplained anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, insomnia, menopause and other troubles.
4. Lack of estrogen negatively affects mineral metabolism. As it progresses hormonal failure provoking a decrease of bone strength, the deterioration condition of the teeth.
5. The thyroid gland is very sensitive to the changes in hormone levels. Often women develop hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis. External signs of trouble in the functioning of the body are manifested by increased irritability, depressed mood, memory impairment, dial, or, conversely, rapid weight loss, degradation skin and hair loss, Tremor in the limbs, fatigue.
6. Lack of hormone also causes dry mucous membranes, including in the intimate area. She reflected on the intensity of sexual desire.
7. Hormonal failure - severe stress and adrenal glands to work. Against the background of menopause in women is often observed the development of hypertension, cardiac disorders develop, lost the ability to control their emotional state.
8. Endocrine disorders also are common during menopause. Often it is the time for women there is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, which leads to diabetes. Besides, in menopausal often there are problems with being overweight.

The main female sex hormones: the rate and the variation in menopause

For optimal functioning of the body is necessary to comply with the quantitative proportions in hormone levels. Basic reproductive system stimulant activity - estrogen and progesterone. Their action is based on a counterweight principle, ie the production of one type of hormone regulates the production of the other. Between menopausal transforms this mechanism is disturbed, which leads to a complete cessation of reproductive functions of the female organism.

Estrogen

Virtually all of the changes in menopause explained by a decrease in production of the main female sex hormone - estrogen (eg, estradiol), which is also called hormone of youth and beauty. Due to lack of this hormone starts aging of the skin, wrinkles, as well as acne during menopause - a vivid indicator of the presence of such a breach.

Estrogens affect the operation of almost all organs and body systems. During the entire reproductive life more of them is synthesized in the ovaries. With the onset of menopause, the process is terminated, and the development of the most important hormones shifted to the peripheral system - adipose tissue and the adrenal glands.

Speaking of quantified estradiol (the most significant form of estrogen), its rate in women during the menopausal changes ranges from 11 to 95 pg / ml. However, to draw conclusions only on the basis of these indicators is problematic, it should be noted that the rate of estradiol may be compromised the influence of other factors such as the woman's age, duration of menopausal changes, the level of concentration of other species hormones.

If estrogen at menopause increased, it may be indicative of tumors and cystic lesions of the ovaries, liver cirrhosis, as well as the use of oral contraceptives. Lower figures indicate a decline of ovarian function, increased levels of prolactin in the blood, and this phenomenon is typical with vegetarianism.

Progisteron

Progesterone begins at menopause also produced in smaller quantities. This is another reason, which provokes the hormonal failure. It is through this kind of hormones going on continuation of the pregnancy, and then the process of natural renewal of the endometrium through menstruation.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. In childbearing age maximum, its concentration is usually recorded in the first phase of the cycle. As the progression of climacteric changes FSH levels rise significantly. This is due to the fact that the increased release of pituitary hormone tries to stimulate the ovaries. When the index higher than 30 IU / L, it is possible to speak with confidence about the approach of menopause. If the index falls within 10-12 IU / L, this indicates a complete "turn off" the ovaries.

LH

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a direct member of the egg maturation process. The amount of it is also different in different phases of the cycle. The highest rates it reaches the time of ovulation. With the onset of menopause change analyzes show an increased concentration of LH. His rule at this time varies in the range from 29.7 to 43.9 mIU / L. If the amount of LH higher than FSH, it can indicate the presence of certain pathologies, in particular, the pituitary tumors, polycystic ovaries, kidney failure.

The rules of the hormonal studies in postmenopausal women

Hormones - subtly organized structure. And the impact on the change in the ratio of hormones capable of many factors, so for accurate diagnosis is necessary to adhere to certain rules:

• A blood sample for Analysis for hormones at menopause It should be taken on an empty stomach, while it is desirable that after the last meal has been at least 8 hours;
• before the investigation can not take hormonal drugs, otherwise the results will be erroneous;
• To obtain reliable results the day before should refrain from excessive physical activity, including sexual intercourse;
• undesirable to drink coffee, strong tea and drink alcoholic beverages. Smoking is also desirable to eliminate;
• better to refrain from taking tests after experiencing stress;
• to draw conclusions about the state of hormonal levels, blood has been taken several times (in different phase of the cycle), and is already on the basis of the overall dynamics make conclusions about how pronounced hormonal failure.

Treatment of hormonal disorders in postmenopausal

The onset of menopause, it would be wrong to associate with the disease, but in some cases the hormones at menopause undergoing such substantial quantitative fluctuations, the state of women in the background of sharply worsens. In such cases, do without the use of special drugs to help mitigate the impact of hormonal imbalance. With this treatment can be carried out using artificial hormones and analogues using vegetable estrogens.

phytoestrogen treatment

If the symptoms of menopause is not a severe threat to the health of women, the therapy is best to start with a reception on the basis of phytoestrogens drugs. Such means include in its composition a substance similar in structure and action to the hormones produced by the ovaries. The advantage of this embodiment in a delicate treatment eliminating lack of estradiol in women and no unpleasant consequences. A disadvantage is the need for long-term use, which is not always possible, for example, such a delay with dysfunctional uterine bleeding can be dangerous. The most popular among women going through menopause have received: Klimadinon, Chi-Klim, Mensa, Menopace, Estrovel, Remens, Klimaktoplan.

Treatment with synthetic hormones

In cases where the woman's condition is compounded and is accompanied, for example, uterine bleeding in menopauseExpressed cardiovascular disease, excessively intense and frequent hot flashes, inevitably the use of hormone replacement therapy. Most preferred is the administration of low-dose preparations in which the amount of estrogen is less than 35 micrograms. Such means significantly less likely to cause side effects. However, be aware that taking hormones at menopause for a long time (longer than 2-3 years) dangerous, since the long-term treatment increases the risk of adverse substantially consequences. HRT often associated with cancer processes running.