HORMONAL DISORDERS IN WOMEN - HEALTH WARNING SIGNS

30/12/2021

We often hear about the symptoms of hormonal disorders in premenopausal and menopausal women, which cause a great impact on women's health and psychophysiology. However, many younger women are at risk of hormonal imbalance currently. Hormonal disorder is not diseases, this is a warning sign of your health only. So, let's join the American International Hospital (AIH) to learn about hormonal disorders so as to avoid anxiety and figure out preventive solutions for yourself!

► What are hormones?

Hormones are substances produced by the endocrine glands of the human body, which enter into the bloodstream to tissues and organs. They affect metabolism and body development, emotion and mood, sexual and reproductive functions...Therefore, when a hormonal imbalance occurs, a series of body functions can be influenced.

► Role of female hormones

Female hormones, the female sex hormones secreted by the ovaries, also named as estrogen and progesterone. Female hormones play an extremely important role, affect physiological factors, health and are considered as a secret to maintain the youth of women.

Physiological effects: the formation of female genital organs, impact on the formation and development of ova leading to ovulation cycle and the phenomenon of monthly menstruation that create female fertility. In addition, it is also important to maintain sexual desire and increase vaginal discharge.
Health effects: help the body maintains a good health, prevent aging, osteoporosis. It helps to keep a comfortable and joyful mentally. It also works in cardiovascular protection and preventing its complications.
Physical appearance effects: Estrogen is like a golden key for a prettyl and attractive body due to its effect in providing smooth ruddy skin, strong silky hair, reducing fat accumulation and creating the body curves.

► What is female hormonal disorder?

Female hormonal disorders occurs when the body has too much or too little of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (hormonal imbalance inside the body).
When the amount of estrogen hormone is reduced for a long time, it causes negative effects on the female body from physiological function to metabolic processes. Leading to a series of symptoms: menstrual disorders, xerosis, melasma, hypofertility, low libido, difficulty sleeping, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension...

► The causes of female hormonal disorders:

Age: especially in premenopausal, menopausal women, the ovaries produce Estrogen limitedly, so the deficiency is inevitable.
Postpartum women: Estrogen levels rise rapidly throughout pregnancy to protect the fetus. After giving birth, the mother's body will begin to rapidly decrease the level of female hormones. Decrease or rapid changes in hormonal levels can cause sad mood or postpartum depression... However, about 3 months of postpartum, Estrogen level will return to its normal range.
Post-oophorectomy: the ovary is the organ that produces Estrogen hormone. Therefore, for cases with oophorectomy indicated; it will result in degradation of hormone level.

In addition, female hormonal disorders can also originate from bad habits in daily life but sometimes you do not realize them, such as abuse of contraceptives, irregular daily routine (staying up late, stress…), improper nutrition, use of toxic cosmetics, polluted habitat…

Abuse of contraceptives: for those who use contraceptive pills regularly, the risk of female hormonal disorders will be higher than normal persons. This is because of the synthetic estrogen component which found in contraceptives.
Improper diet: unscientific eating habits are also a common cause of female hormonal disorders. Consuming fast, high-fat foods will increase female hormone production that cause imbalances. In particular, women who lose weight with improper manners such as to force the body into starvation and poor nutrition diet also leads to above condition.
Staying up late: this is an unhealthy habit, sleep is extremely important for women, helps to rest the body after a long day, recovers your health, detoxicates and improves skin surface. Staying up late affects not only the nervous and cardiovascular systems, but also the female hormonal disorders.
Unprotected habitat: living in polluted environments, dust and long-term chemical exposure often present in the Export Processing Zone, using plant protection agents and pesticides daily at work will cause menstrual cycle disturbed, affecting female health and hormones.
Toxic cosmetics: using cosmetics is a way of skin care and beauty maintenance. However, if the origin of cosmetics is not guaranteed, containing a lot of detergents or habit of makeup for a long time without thoroughly cleanse will also affect the female hormones that causes hormonal imbalance.
Mental stress: prolonged stress and fatigue due to work and life pressures are also the causes of adrenal insufficiency, the amount of estrogen hormone secretion is also less leading to hormonal disorders.

► Manifestations of female hormonal disorders

Once the hormones in the female body are disturbed, there will be a lot of problems related to health and appearance. Below are the 7 most obvious signs showing the body is suffering from hormonal imbalances:

Irregular menstrual cycle
Dry, darkening, sagging skin and pimples
Low sleep quality: hot flashes and night sweats, difficulty sleeping.
Constant fatigue or easily irritable mood, depression
Appetite and easy weight gain
Vaginal dryness, low libido
Episodes of hypertension

► Prevention of hormonal disorders in young women

Maintaining female hormonal equilibrium is the ”root" of female beauty and youth. Therefore, you need to take precautions against hormonal disorders by maintaining a moderate lifestyle, healthy daily habits such as:

Proper nutrition: a balanced and healthy nutrition is always good for general health, helps to prevents many diseases. It is recommended to consume more vegetables and fruits with varied colors to replenish fibers and vitamins. It is advised to drink plenty of water and limit the consumption of sweets or high glycemic index foods to limit the aging process. It is possible to supplement foods rich in omega - 3 and natural vitamin E such as: oily fish, some foods such as soy, soy isoflavones, avocados, which can help boost hormones naturally.
Limiting cosmetic use: misuse of cosmetics can lead to female hormonal imbalances. It is recommended to buy safe cosmetics which are guaranted origin and prioritized natural ingredients, avoiding cosmetics with strong detergents that easily causes melasma. When applying makeup for all day, make sure it is cleaned thoroughly before bedtime, let the skin clear. Skin care and moisturize properly.
Environment: when exposed to polluted environments, special personal protective equipment are required. Cleaning house regularly ensures a well-ventilated environment avoiding pathogens. When going out, it is recommended to cover yourself carefully and wear a mask to reduce inhalation of dirt dust in the air.
Do not put pressure on yourself: it is advisable to keep your mentality in balance and comfort that is not only healthy, but also avoids the risk of hormonal disorders. It is recommended to divide in small tasks, avoid overload, overwork, staying up late. Make yourself happy according to personal hobbies such as dancing, needlework, cooking, listening to music, watching comedies... regularly practice smiling and grateful for life.
Exercise regularly: besides nutrition supplement, you should pay attention to increasing your physical exercise regularly at least 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Choose the right sports for yourself like Yoga, swimming, cycling, running/walking, table tennis, dancing... Avoid overexercising that can be counterproductive, unhealthy.
Breathing & meditation properly: combine with more exposure to nature, greatly supports emotional balance, mental state and helps to balance female hormones, of course.

It is worth noting that women should practice listening to themselves more, feeling and paying attention to abnormal changes in the body. When the signs of hormonal disorder are recognized, you should visit endocrinologists for advice and timely treatment.

In addition, women should pay attention to the schedule of biannual general health check-up in order to detect and timely manage the body’s abnormalities.

The Endocrinology Department at American International Hospital (AIH) provides comprehensive care and treatment for diseases related to endocrine and hormone dysfunctions. Therein, endocrinologists who are highly - proficient, dedicated and well- experienced, always closely collaborate with other specialits (collaborate with pediatricians for precocious puberty) in order to ensure accurate diagnosis and offer the most appropriate treatment for individual patient.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.