Endocrine Disorders
Menopause
Menopause is when a women’s reproductive system is no longer functioning. Menstrual cycles can stop for a while and then start again, so a woman is considered to have been through menopause only after a full year without periods. The average age of menopause is 51. Sometimes called “the change,” menopause is a normal part of life.
The hormone changes which occur around menopause affect every woman differently. Some symptoms/changes that might start in the years around menopause include: irregular periods, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood changes, etc. It is not always necessary to get treatment for your symptoms unless they persist and become disruptive to your lifestyle. You can learn about simple lifestyle changes which may help with symptoms. If you’re interested in medical treatment, please ask your physician.
Hyperprolactinemia (Prolactin Excess)
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which too much prolactin is present in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland (the gland at the bottom of the brain). Hyperprolactinemia can affect both men and women. In women it can lead to irregular ovulation, infrequent menstruation, or the stop of menstruation altogether.
Increased prolactin levels leading to hyperprolactinemia can be caused by: certain medications, stress, certain foods, exercise, sleep, hypothyroidism, some herbs, and pituitary tumors. Hyperprolatinemia can be treated by medications once your physician has done testing to identify the cause.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is often referred to as an under-active thyroid. When the thyroid gland (located in the lower part of the throat) produces less thyroid hormone than what is considered normal, the metabolism rate slows down and can lead to a variety of symptoms. At first the symptoms may not be recognized, but over time can become more severe. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are: fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, irregular periods, loss of sex drive, infertility and miscarriage.
Blood tests can be done to test for hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which are important to the body’s ability to turn food into energy.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Antibodies released by the immune system, destroy healthy cells in the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism can be treated by an oral medication. After beginning fertility treatment, your physician will closely monitor your hormone levels. Once pregnancy is achieved, medication and monitoring will need to be continued. It will likely require periodic blood tests to make sure the dose of medicine is adequate.
RESOURCES
HYPOTHYROIDISM
HYPERPROLACTINEMIA
MENOPAUSE
Menopause is when a women’s reproductive system is no longer functioning. Menstrual cycles can stop for a while and then start again, so a woman is considered to have been through menopause only after a full year without periods. The average age of menopause is 51. Sometimes called “the change,” menopause is a normal part of life.
The hormone changes which occur around menopause affect every woman differently. Some symptoms/changes that might start in the years around menopause include: irregular periods, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood changes, etc. It is not always necessary to get treatment for your symptoms unless they persist and become disruptive to your lifestyle. You can learn about simple lifestyle changes which may help with symptoms. If you’re interested in medical treatment, please ask your physician.
Hyperprolactinemia (Prolactin Excess)
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which too much prolactin is present in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland (the gland at the bottom of the brain). Hyperprolactinemia can affect both men and women. In women it can lead to irregular ovulation, infrequent menstruation, or the stop of menstruation altogether.
Increased prolactin levels leading to hyperprolactinemia can be caused by: certain medications, stress, certain foods, exercise, sleep, hypothyroidism, some herbs, and pituitary tumors. Hyperprolatinemia can be treated by medications once your physician has done testing to identify the cause.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is often referred to as an under-active thyroid. When the thyroid gland (located in the lower part of the throat) produces less thyroid hormone than what is considered normal, the metabolism rate slows down and can lead to a variety of symptoms. At first the symptoms may not be recognized, but over time can become more severe. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are: fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, irregular periods, loss of sex drive, infertility and miscarriage.
Blood tests can be done to test for hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which are important to the body’s ability to turn food into energy.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Antibodies released by the immune system, destroy healthy cells in the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism can be treated by an oral medication. After beginning fertility treatment, your physician will closely monitor your hormone levels. Once pregnancy is achieved, medication and monitoring will need to be continued. It will likely require periodic blood tests to make sure the dose of medicine is adequate.
RESOURCES
HYPOTHYROIDISM
HYPERPROLACTINEMIA
MENOPAUSE
