Hypoestrogenism

Hypoestrogenism General Information

Hypoestrogenism is a medical condition that affects the endocrine system of female patients, particularly the pituitary gland (also known as hypophysis), the one that controls the activity of the gonads (in this case of the ovaries) by releasing two very important hormones, the LH and FSH hormones. Hypoestrogenism is actually referring to lower levels of estrogen than normal. This medical condition is sometimes related with the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs prescribed as a treatment option for another disorder called endometriosis. Some scientists liked it to scoliosis. This form of hypogonadism that affects only the female patients manifests after or before the onset of puberty. In the case that the onset of this endocrine dysfunction is before the puberty, primary forms of amenorrhea will be the commonest presenting feature or the failure through puberty will be the main sign of the disorder. The usual concern of postpuberal females that suffer from Hypoestrogenism is the secondary form of amenorrhea. The causes of this endocrine disorder can be classified as primary or central. The main primary causes that we can precise are: radiations, infections, surgery, and certain autoimmune problems, diseases affecting the liver and kidneys and developmental or genetic disorders. In these cases, the ovaries will not function as they should do. The most common central causes include: trauma, tumors, excess of iron, known as hemochromatosis, bleeding, genetic problems and nutritional abnormalities. In this case, the centers found in the brain (the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus) that have the control upon the gonads (ovaries) do not function normally.

Hypoestrogenism Symptoms

Because Hypoestrogenism is a medical condition that involves the endocrine system and causes deficiencies of estrogens, the signs and symptoms vary depending in what period of the patient’s life this disorder has developed. For example, if Hypoestrogenism occurs before the onset of puberty, in the childhood, the respective girls will complain of short stature, lack of the development of breast and menstruation. In women, after the puberty, the main signs and symptoms of this medical condition affecting the endocrine system of a female patient will include, for example, hot flashes, loss of the period menstruation, loss of the hair covering parts of the body and low libido. Also, the manifestations of this disease depend a lot on the cause that determined the appearance of it. For example, if the cause is a brain tumor, the respective woman will complain of visual loss and headaches. If a tumor affects the pituitary gland (the most common is prolactinoma tumor), then the patient may present a discharge of the breasts that has a milky aspect. Hypoestrogenism may be a symptom of persons who suffer from an excessive dieting gone to the point where starvation appears, called anorexia nervosa. If not treated in time with the best treatment option that fits with the patient’s needs and demands, then possible complications may appear and cause many other severe problems to the respective woman. For example, this disorder may lead to infertility. After the woman reaches menopause, she presents a high risk of developing heart diseases and osteoporosis.

Hypoestrogenism Treatment

Hypoestrogenism is a serious medical condition that involves the endocrine system of the body so that it requires special care from medical professional. It is highly important to detect it in time and to avoid any further complications that could endanger the patient’s life. We strongly advise you to contact your health care provider as soon as you start experiencing signs and symptoms specific for this endocrine disorder. If problems with your sex drive, breast discharge, loss of menstruation or hot flashes appear along with visual problems and severe headaches then you should consider calling for your doctor and establish a date for the medical examination. There are many different tests that can be done in order to identify Hypoestrogenism. First, a physician will do a physical exam of the female patient and then will usually demand a series of very simple tests of the blood that will help him to identify the level of estrogens in the respective woman. It is also very useful to check the hormonal levels of the secretions of the pituitary gland (also called hypophysis), the LH and FSH that stimulate the production of gonads. A level of the thyroid gland should also be tested for more sure results. The blood tests are usually done to detect the presence of anemia, the iron level and the chemistries. Very important are considered the levels of the hormone responsible with the production of milk, known as prolactin.

A genetic analysis can be sometimes useful. If the cause of the Hypoestrogenism is a disorder of the pituitary gland (of the hypophysis), then the health care provider may want the patient to do a CT scan (computerized tomography) or a MRI of the brain. If it is necessary, the female patient may have to do an imaging test, for example a sonogram of her ovaries. After the final diagnosis of Hypoestrogenism is established, the medical professional must proceed immediately with the appropriate treatment option. Usually, in most cases, this medical condition is treated by replacing the right hormones. In the female patients who suffer from this disorder the two hormones that need to be replaced are progesterone and estradiol. If problems of fertility develop, then the situation of the respective patient is complicated because the defects in the reproductive system are bound to appear. Sometimes, these defects can be or can not be treated. The estrogens will be administrated in the form of a pill or a patch. If the woman has not had her uterus removed, then the health care provider will apply a combination of hormone medicines containing progesterone and estrogen in order to decrease the risks of developing endometrial cancer. In the case that the female has a low sex drive, then her doctor may prefer to prescribe her low doses of testosterone as additional treatment option. The ovulation is usually stimulated by taking some pills or by injection. If it is needed, the surgery radiation therapy may be considered an option for Hypoestrogenism.