Hyperandrogenism - if the female body behaves like a male - Treatment

Treatment giparandrogenii

If hyperandrogenism in women has led only to the excessive growth of body hair, after the diagnosis of the doctor during exclude the existence of serious violations of core can be used symptomatic treatment - in most cases, there are different methods of hair removal. Shaving, waxing, depilatory creams applications - all of these depilatories are relatively inexpensive and simple, but in some patients it can cause irritation and even damage the skin. In addition, hair removal provides only a temporary effect, and, of course, does not reduce the level of male sex hormones in the blood. Often the best results are achieved when using a depilatory in combination with certain hormones.

If the patient has multiple and severe symptoms of hyperandrogenism, or there is suspicion of serious underlying medical conditions, it is sent to a specialist.

Women who have symptoms of hyperandrogenism caused serious psychological distress or depression, it is advisable to turn to a psychologist.

Where to cope with hirsutism or acne does not help to standard therapy, you must be examined by an endocrinologist.

Surgical intervention

The standard view of the treatment of hyperandrogenism caused androgensekretiruyuschimi adrenal or ovarian tumors is surgical removal of tumors. Due to the high risk of complications of surgery for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome was rare, and only in cases where the violation is not amenable to other forms of therapy, and when it leads to infertility.

Dietary

Women suffering from hyperandrogenism and obesity, you need to change your lifestyle and lose weight. Without this fight many signs of excess male hormones, such as hirsutism, is practically useless. The results of several studies suggest that weight loss of 5-10% in patients with obesity, hyperandrogenism and PCOS, after six months, can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted body hair. Typically, a meal plan for the patient is a dietitian - expert advice to help reduce weight without risk to health.

Physical exercise

To hyperandrogenism during treatment to achieve consistent results, patients need to develop the habit of regular exercise. This is especially important for those with diagnosed obesity. Those who have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, it is recommended to start with half an hour of exercise three or four times a week. Ideally, you should train for 50-60 minutes, at least four times a week.

Weight loss in women with hyperandrogenism and PCOS can not only make less pronounced some symptoms associated with exposure to androgens, but also increase the chance of pregnancy.

Medication

The main task of medical treatment when hyperandrogenism is to reduce the production of male sex hormones by the ovaries and adrenal glands, as well as blocking the process, in which are formed in the peripheral tissues active form of androgen.

Combined oral contraceptives

Drugs of this type limit the secretion of androgens by the ovaries and enhance the level of binding globulin sex hormone (SHBG). As a result, the amount of free (not bound to other substances such as albumin), testosterone is reduced by approximately 50%. Combined oral contraceptives to some extent and reduce the production of androgens in the adrenal glands (especially DEAS). Decreasing the secretion of androgens by the ovaries related to the ability of oral contraceptives inhibit ovulation.

The progestin contained in the oral contraceptive third generation, is more effective for the treatment of hyperandrogenism than the active substances of the first generations of contraceptives. At the same time, both the new and old oral contraceptives help normalize the menstrual cycle, and reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

Oral contraceptives on their own or in combination with anti-androgens are the drugs of first choice for treatment of women with hyperandrogenism called hirsutism, which also require contraception. Often, these drugs also improve skin condition in women who suffer from acne.

Ethinylestradiol

This substance is a synthetic analog of estrogen. Ethinylestradiol suppresses the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland to decrease the level of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. For treating hyperandrogenism can be assigned to oral contraceptives, which include 30-35 mg of ethinyl estradiol in combination with any analogues of progesterone. Relief of symptoms of hyperandrogenism occurs in 60-100% of cases, but it is necessary to take the drug for at least 6-12 months. Before you start taking oral contraceptives, you should do a pregnancy test.

Combined oral contraceptives may cause side effects such as headache, discomfort and chest pain Chest pain is one symptom - a lot of diseases , Menstrual disorders (this is rare, and in most cases quickly normalized cycle), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, mood swings, irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Venous and arterial thromboembolism, hypertension, chloasma, hyperkalemia.

Anti-androgens

Due to the teratogenic effects of the drugs in this category (ie, their ability to disrupt embryonic development) during the course of treatment patients of childbearing age must use reliable contraception .  Spironolactone, an aldosterone antagonist, reduces the activity of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone .  Although designed for use as a diuretic, daily administration of 50-200 mg of spironolactone in the majority of patients significantly reduces the growth of hair on the face, on average, six cycles .  Simultaneous treatment with spironolactone and oral contraceptives greatly alleviates the symptoms of hirsutism and decreases the level of male sex hormones in the blood .  Patients treated by using oral contraceptives for six months is not possible to achieve positive results are often prescribed spironolactone .  The most common side effects of this medication are drowsiness, lethargy, headache, skin rash, menstrual disorders, abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms , Diarrhea, gastritis, nausea, vomiting.

Flutamide

Flutamide - antiandrogen that is used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It is also more effective for hirsutism caused by hyperandrogenism than spironolactone. However, recent studies have shown that flutamide often causes side effects in women, and in the long term, its efficiency is quite low. The most serious side effect of flutamide - damage to liver cells - can lead to death of the patient. Furthermore, this medicine can cause side effects such as hot flushes, decreased libido, diarrhea, lack of appetite, swelling, leukopenia, rash. Flutamide has not received regulatory approval for use in the treatment of hirsutism.

Cyproterone acetate

The studies showed that the antiandrogen better results than placebo Placebo - an effective tool for self-hypnosis But he was not more effective than other anti-androgens, which are assigned to patients with hyperandrogenism. Cyproterone acetate descends in some combined oral contraceptive in combination with ethinylestradiol; such formulations generally well tolerated.

Finasteride

Finasteride - another antiandrogen inhibitory activity of 5-alpha-reductase. Specialists is no consensus on whether it is as effective as spironolactone, or its efficiency is lower. Side effects of finasteride may be skin rashes, hypersensitivity and breast tenderness, weakening of libido, dizziness, depression, hypersensitivity reactions - including, itching, swelling of the lips and face. Some of the side effects may persist after discontinuation of the drug.