Although normally present in the female body male sex hormones, or androgens, their excess can lead to numerous problems, such as acne, weight gain, hyperandrogenism and hirsutism, menstrual disorders and infertility.

Hirsutism - a disorder in which women because of the increased level of male sex hormones in the body start to grow as dark and coarse hair, both men for a long time was considered a key feature of hyperandrogenism. At the same time, it was difficult to diagnose hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, as may be caused by other diseases. Not all women with hirsutism increased androgen levels, and increase the level of male sex hormones in the female body does not always lead to the development of hirsutism.

Choosing an effective method of treatment is also a challenge. For a long time, most of the patients suffering from hyperandrogenism assigned to treatment in some hormone (usually synthetic estrogen analogues). It was assumed that the combination therapy may be more effective, but studies that could confirm it would be utilized only in small groups of patients.

An important study

Several years ago, it ended a long investigation - perhaps the most extensive of all the studies in which studied the problem of hyperandrogenism .  Scientists are working to identify the most common causes of androgen excess in women and compared the different types of treatment of this disorder .  The findings are cause for optimism for women suffering from various manifestations of hyperandrogenism .  At the same time, scientists conducted the study say that doctors who are treating hyperandrogenism, should better inform patients about the benefits of long-term therapy .  More than 80% of patients who adhered to the accuracy of the treatment plan, comes improvement; in particular, it becomes much less pronounced signs of hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism, menstrual disorders and acne .  However, many patients drop out of treatment or inadequate faithfully follow the doctor's recommendations .  They, of course, no improvement .  Therefore, one of the conclusions of the study, it was recognition of the need to develop a specific strategy to help improve understanding by patients of the importance of their role in the treatment of .

The study lasted from 1987 to 2002, during which time the patient was examined in 1281 with symptoms typical of hyperandrogenism. 873 of them have become participants of the study. After its completion some time spent on the analysis of the results and conclusions.

Statistical information

Two-thirds of the subjects were under 30 years, and 20% of them were under 20 years old when I first went to a doctor complaining of certain symptoms of hirsutism. Since in most cases an excess of androgens makes itself felt even in the period of puberty, it is clear that many patients seek treatment until several years after the occurrence of a problem. After completion of the study, the researchers concluded that about 80% of women diagnosed with hyperandrogenism through quite a long time after her first symptoms appear, and so ill do not receive timely treatment.

Although hyperandrogenism is currently recognized as the most common disorder among women of reproductive age, identifying its causes - not an easy task at all. Among the participants of the study in question, only 59 patients (6.75% of total participants) were identified certain major diseases. Among these diseases are: classical and nonclassical form hyperplasia Hyperplasia - do not be afraid   adrenal cortex, some types of cancer and other disorders.

In 93.24% of patients hyperandrogenism was diagnosed on the basis of existing symptoms, and using the method of differential diagnosis. Almost 82% of the subjects in addition to hyperandrogenism was found such a violation, as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), at 4.47% of the patients had idiopathic hirsutism - that is, to establish its cause could not, and in 6.75% of cases in women, and increased levels of male sex hormones and hirsutism Hirsutism - when femininity leaves   ovulation took place perfectly normal. A considerable part of the test was found insulin resistance - a disorder in which insulin levels in the blood increased, due to which increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

More than 75% of patients with hyperandrogenism suffered from hirsutism, 14% had some form of acne, and in 30% of subjects developed infertility.

Approximately 88% of women who participated in the study, ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible?   there are fewer rules, and in 86% of subjects noted the menstrual dysfunction. In addition, it was found that women with an excess of androgens in the body likely to be obese at twice the rate.

When using medicines for combined hormone therapy, which suppresses androgen production and / or block their activity, improvement was observed in 86% of women suffering from hirsutism. When menstrual dysfunction improvement occurred in 80% of cases, acne - in 81% of cases.

Hair loss - a less common sign of hyperandrogenism - stopped in 33% of patients who were prescribed combined hormone therapy.

More than 60% of the patients there were side effects such as irregular vaginal bleeding, nausea and headaches. Such symptoms can not be attributed to the severe side effects, but it is possible that they are the reason that many of the patients discontinued treatment. Hormone therapy has been assigned to the patient 501, and about half of them are either completely abandoned the treatment or inaccurate followed the treatment plan.

Experts note that, since approximately 25% of women with hyperandrogenism Hyperandrogenism - if the female body behaves as a male   does not develop hirsutism, it is especially difficult to get adequate treatment. They may suffer from acne, they can be infertility or overweight, which did not manage to get rid of, but doctors do not always prescribe him tests to determine the level of male hormones. Scientists believe that such analyzes need to appoint more women - including those who have no signs of hirsutism. In many cases, this measure can help women improve the quality of life and avoid some of the serious health problems.

  Congenital malformations are found not so rare, the reasons for them in what is going on adverse effects on the developing fetus in the mother during the bookmark and the development of an organ. Therefore, a pregnant woman is so important to avoid any adverse effects on the body from smoking and alcohol consumption to increased physical loads and stresses. Hypoplasia - a hypoplasia of organ, tissue or whole organism. This malformation that can occur even complete absence of an organ (aplasia). Hypoplasia dwarfism called the whole body - a type of dwarfism. It does not apply hypoplasia acquired a decrease in the volume of the body, organ or tissue - a condition known as atrophy.

Hypoplasia can occur at all stages of development of the organism. The most common hypoplasia of individual organs. An example is the hypoplasia of the brain (microcephaly), sometimes combined with hypoplasia of the spinal cord and limbs. It is also found hypoplasia of one kidney in which other kidney compensatory increased. Hypoplasia of the breast is usually combined with hypoplasia of both external and internal sex organs - infantilism.

The reasons are varied and complex hypoplasia. Among them distinguish between internal and external factors affecting the fetus during its development. The internal factors include all anomalies primary bookmark germ cells, the outer - all external moments, adversely affecting the embryo or fetus, such as fusion of membranes of the ovum with the surface of the fruit to produce amniotic threads that pull together the surface of the fruit and allow to develop one or the other body.

Of great importance in the development of the fetus is abnormal amount (especially decrease) in amniotic fluid, malposition. The external factors causing the development of hypoplastic include the impact of radiant energy injuries, the pressure on the pregnant uterus, the impact of high temperature, harmful products of metabolism Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things , Alcohol, smoking and so on.

Various mother's illness as the disease of the fetus, can also disrupt the development of the embryo and cause hypoplasia of a body.

Great importance is attached to the development of hypoplastic infections transmitted through the placenta from mother to fetus (intrauterine infection). These infections include toxoplasmosis, rubella, influenza and other viral infections.

Neuroendocrine dysplasia leads to hypoplasia of the whole organism - dwarfism.

Hypoplasia of the brain (microcephaly)

When microcephaly observed decrease in total brain hemispheres of underdevelopment of it, especially the frontal lobes. Brains can be modified or completely absent, broken and structure of various centers of the brain are responsible for certain functions.

Characterized by the appearance of a child with microcephaly: underdeveloped cerebral part of the skull, forehead narrow, sloping, eyebrows stand, large protruding ears, high (Gothic) palate. A newborn anterior fontanelle closed or closed in the first months of life. Neurological changes depend on which part of the brain affected. The degree of mental retardation ranging from mild retardation (slightly) to severe idiocy (severe mental retardation).

Hypoplasia of the genitals (sexual infantilism)

Sexual infantilism in females is expressed predominantly in the underdevelopment of the reproductive system. External and internal genital organs of women, as well as breasts while undeveloped or underdeveloped, broken or absent menstruation, uterine bleeding are possible Uterine bleeding outside of menstruation - a sign of a serious breach Associated with menstrual dysfunction. These changes often lead to infertility or miscarriage.

Sexual infantilism is less common in men than in women. With a low growth was almost complete absence of secondary sexual characteristics and the underdevelopment of genitals. These teens look younger than their years, are fragile physique and high-pitched voice. Body hair on the face, pubic area and armpits are mild or completely absent, underdeveloped penis and scrotum. Sexual desire, erection Erection - what hinders and what helps a man to be a man   absent or mild, sexual intercourse difficult.

To stimulate the development of the genital organs used hormone therapy Hormone therapy - is it possible to fool nature? .

Hypoplasia of kidneys

Hypoplastic kidney looks like a normal, but changes in its tissue can range from minor to severe. When expressed in kidney tissue changes in the first few days of life is disrupted its function, and if struck by the two kidneys, such children often die from kidney failure, at which the food poisoning of the body's own metabolism. In hypoplastic kidney disease often develop inflammation, which further reduces its function.

Treatment of hypoplastic kidney is infected it is removed, the second normal kidney takes over its function. If both kidneys are changed, after their removal produce kidney transplant.

Hypoplasia - it is always a consequence of any effects on the fetus during pregnancy, it is necessary to know as much as possible and to eliminate any harmful effects on the body of the future mother.

  Galina Romanenko