Female hypogonadism: what is it? See symptoms and treatment

Contents

What is?

Female hypogonadism can be characterized when women produce less or stop producing estrogen and progesterone . The disease has no cure, despite having treatment. Hypogonadism is usually diagnosed during puberty.

The disease can be classified into two types, the primary and the secondary. The first is called hypergonadotrophic, which is characterized by the ovaries not working as they should. In the hypogonadotrophic, or secondary, it is characterized by the specific parts of the brain that control the ovaries are not working properly.

Causes

Among congenital causes, Turner syndrome is the most common among women. In addition, there are other causes that can lead to female hypogonadism, such as:

  • Constant weight loss (mainly in athletes);
  • Autoimmune diseases;
  • Hemochromatosis, a disease in which the body deposits iron in the tissues causing defects in the gonads or pituitary gland;
  • Surgery and radiation that can cause changes in gonadal function.

Risk factors

Patients who have the diseases mentioned in the previous topics may need a specialized and personalized assessment.

Women over 60 are more likely to have hypogonadism because of the decrease in the production of sex hormones. In such cases, blood tests can be done to more easily identify problems.

Symptoms

The symptoms of female hypogonadism are different according to the patient’s age. Check out the main ones here:

Before puberty, the symptoms are usually:

  • Absence of menstruation;
  • Short;
  • Little breast development;

After puberty, the symptoms are usually:

  • Heat waves;
  • Loss of body hair (armpits and pubic hair);
  • Decreased libido;
  • Loss of muscle mass;
  • Hot flushes in women under 40;
  • Dry vagina;
  • Difficulty getting pregnant;
  • Failure between menstrual periods or missed menstruation.

In addition to these symptoms, female hypogonadism usually causes infertility or problems during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and hypogonadism

When the initial disease is not in the gonad and the patient intends to have a child, some treatments can be done using drugs that stimulate the function of the testicles or ovaries.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hypogonadism can be made by radiologists, pediatricians, gynecologists, endocrinologists and general practitioners. These are the specialized doctors to treat the problem.

The diagnosis can be made after a consultation in which the doctor asks routine questions and, after the conversation, the doctor finds out the patient’s medical history. Tests can be carried out to confirm the doctor’s suspicion. They are:

  • Ultrasound of the pelvis;
  • Pituitary resonance;
  • Determination of the panel of hormones (FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone).

Treatment

The treatment of female hypogonadism can be done in three ways:

  • Hormone replacement with progesterone and estrogen;
  • Surgery;
  • Stimulation of ovulation.

When a woman has decreased libido, the doctor may prescribe testosterone at low levels.

The medications indicated to treat female hypogonadism are:

  • Utrogestan ;
  • Evocanil ;
  • Gestrocon ;
  • Premarin.

The responsible doctors will inform you which is the most suitable medicine for your case of hypogonadism.

Attention! 

NEVER self-medicate or stop using a medication without first consulting a doctor. Only he will be able to tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is the most suitable for his specific case. The information contained on this site is only intended to inform, not in any way intended to replace the guidance of a specialist or serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the instructions on the package insert and, if symptoms persist, seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.

Complications

The main complication of hypogonadism is infertility. As the lack of hormones occurs, complications can arise, such as:

  • Risk of breast cancer;
  • Heart attack or strokes;
  • Changes in mood;
  • Loss of muscle mass;
  • Alteration in bone mass.

How to live with the disease?

To live with the disease, it is essential to make the appropriate treatment with specialized monitoring.

Prevention

Maintaining a healthy life is the best way to prevent disease. Keeping up with appointments with the trusted doctor is also essential, in addition to avoiding problems that can be caused by self-medication .


Share this text with your friends and family so that more people have information and suffer less from hypogonadism. Remembering that the doctor should always be consulted before using medications.

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