Female sex hormones are biologically active substances that are responsible for the presence of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, the functioning of the reproductive system and affect other organs and systems of the body, metabolism, emotional background, as reported by the Internet edition for girls and women from 14 to 35. net Sex hormones include estrogens, androgens and progestins (gestagens). Male and female sex hormones are present in the blood of both sexes, but in different amounts..

Many other biologically active substances also affect reproductive function, but they are not classified as sex hormones, since participation in the regulation of reproductive function is not their main biological role.. For example, the pancreatic hormone insulin affects steroidogenesis in the ovaries, the thyroid hormone thyroxine thickens the uterine lining, etc..

Progesterone is one of the main hormones of the female reproductive system.. Estrogens are also produced by the adrenal cortex, adipose tissue, skin and a number of other extragonadal tissues in people of both sexes..

Estrogens contribute to the development of the uterus, vagina, labia. In girls, under their action, the development of secondary sexual characteristics occurs:.

pelvic shape;

typical distribution of subcutaneous fat;

hair growth in the armpits, on the pubis;

breast enlargement.

Estradiol is the most active estrogen produced by the follicular apparatus of the ovaries.. It supports the regular course of the menstrual cycle, and also reduces the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system, acute porosis..

Progestins The main function of progestins, or gestagens, is to enable the onset and maintenance of pregnancy.. The main one is progesterone..

Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, placenta, adrenal glands and ensures the normal course of pregnancy.. It plays an important role in the preparation of the uterine lining for the implantation of a fertilized egg, as well as in the preparation of the mammary glands for the production of breast milk after childbirth..

Together with estradiol, progesterone regulates the menstrual cycle..

ProlactinProlactin is produced in the pituitary gland, its main biological role is participation in the development of the mammary glands and milk production during lactation.. In non-pregnant women, normal prolactin levels support adequate progesterone production.. During puberty, women experience an increase in prolactin levels, during menopause - its decrease.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a gonadotropin that is produced in the pituitary gland, stimulates the growth of the gonads during puberty, the production of sex hormones, the growth of follicles in the ovaries.

Luteinizing hormoneLuteinizing hormone (LH) is also a gonadotropin and is produced in the pituitary gland..

The biological role of this substance is as follows:.

stimulation of progesterone production;

stimulation of estrogen secretion by the ovaries;

corpus luteum formation.

Hormonal imbalance and its manifestationsA lack of biologically active substances in the body that affect the reproductive system can lead to underdevelopment of the uterus, cystic degeneration of the ovaries and a number of other pathologies.

Hormonal failure has external manifestations:.

unhealthy skin (acne, oily face);

increased greasiness of hair;

excessive growth of body hair (hirsutism);

headache;

puffiness;

fluctuations in blood pressure;

digestive disorders;

fast fatiguability.

In the case of an increase in the level of male hormones in the blood of women, masculinization occurs (underdevelopment of the mammary glands, increased growth of body hair, low voice, the predominance of muscle mass over fat), in men, with an increase in the concentration of female hormones, feminization is observed (obesity, gynecomastia, a decrease in hairline).

Tests for sex hormonesReproductive panel refers to laboratory tests that are performed to assess the condition of a woman's body. Proper preparation for testing is essential..

If it is necessary to conduct repeated studies, it is best to do this in the same laboratory.. Research methods and norms in different laboratories may differ.

Basically determine the concentration in the blood of women LH, FSH, estradiol, prolactin, progesterone and testosterone.

Blood for analysis is donated on certain days of the menstrual cycle. So, the level of FSH and LH is usually examined on the 3-7th day, testosterone - on the 8-10th day, and estradiol and progesterone - on the 21-22nd day of the cycle..

Indications for testing The need for a laboratory test usually appears when hormonal disorders are suspected. The most common reasons for the appointment of such an analysis:.

menstrual disorders (scanty or excessively heavy menstrual flow, painful, irregular menstruation, etc.).

infertility;

miscarriage;

monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing hormonal therapy.

An analysis for the content of hormones is carried out if hormonal disorders are suspected. Indications for the study of certain hormones:.

LH and FSH - with a decrease in libido, hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, growth retardation.

Prolactin - with galactorrhea, mastopathy, pain in the mammary glands, lactation disorders, as well as during the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs, sexual infantilism, with severe menopause, obesity, decreased libido, osteoporosis, hirsutism.

Progesterone - is determined to assess the state of the placenta during pregnancy, in the diagnosis of true over-term pregnancy.

Testosterone - for hirsutism, acne, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome.

The norms of the content of sex hormones in women The table provides a list of the most commonly prescribed biologically active substances and their norms in the blood in women.

Name.

Reference values.

LG, U/l.

Follicular phase - 1.9-12.5 Mid-cycle - 8.7-76.3 Luteal phase - 0.5-16.9 Postmenopause - 15.9-54.0 Oral contraceptives - 0.7-5.6.

FSH, U/l.

Follicular phase - 2.8-11.3 Mid-cycle - 5.8-21.0 Luteal phase - 1.2-9.0 Postmenopause - 21.7-153 Oral contraceptive use \u003c4.9.

Prolactin, ng/ml.

For women of reproductive age - 2.8-29.2 For women during menopause - 1.8-20.3.

Progesterone, ng/ml.

Follicular phase - 0.2-1.4 Luteal phase - 3.34-25.6 Postmenopause \u003c0.73 Oral contraceptives - 0.34-0.92.

Estradiol, pg/ml.

Follicular phase - 19.5-144.2 Mid-cycle - 63.9-356.7 Luteal phase - 37.0-280 Postmenopause \u003c32.2.

Testosterone, nmol/l.

0.38-1.97.

Rules for preparing for a laboratory study Incorrect preparation for analysis can lead to inaccurate results and, accordingly, the appointment of the wrong treatment. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, it is recommended:.

Donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach. After the last meal, 8-12 hours should pass, during this time it is allowed to drink water.

For a day, you can not smoke, drink alcohol, drugs that can affect the result of the analysis (after consulting a doctor).

For a day, exclude sexual intercourse, intense physical activity.

The day before the test for prolactin, exclude thermal effects on the body (hot bath, bath, sauna).

Immediately before blood sampling, it is necessary to be in a state of complete rest for some time..

When taking the test, indicate the day of the menstrual cycle, the duration of pregnancy or the onset of menopause. When using medicines (especially hormonal and antibacterial drugs), this should also be reported to the health worker..

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