Facts
- The menstrual cycle is regulated by several hormones. The hypothalamus, Which is a part of the brain that produce chemical substances that pass into the brains – hypothalamus. The pituitary gland is affected to secrete hormones that act on the ovaries and leads to ovulation and the production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone
- The hypothalamus can be affected by emotional factors, drugs, weight changes and serious illness
- The pituitary gland can be affected by tumors and ovaries can be affected by cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome
- Disturbance in the female sex hormones can lead to irregular periods, infertility and if there is too much male hormone, it can lead to increased hair growth, deepening of the voice, acne and weight gain
Regulating the female sex hormones
A number of problems can arise due to disturbances in the female sex hormones. The menstrual cycle is regulated by several hormones. Each month produce hypothalamusWhich is a part of the brain chemicals which passes down in hjernevedhænget – the pituitary gland. These substances stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and secrete hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin) which in turn acts on the ovaries and causes ovulation. These hormones also stimulate the production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Disorders of sex hormones
This cycle can be disrupted by a number of factors. The hypothalamus can be affected by emotional factors, drug abuse, extreme weight changes or other serious illness. Such disturbances can cause bleeding disorders and problems in achieving pregnancy.
The pituitary gland is less sensitive to disturbances. Tumors of the pituitary glandare very rare, but almost always cause disturbances in sex hormone production. Certain modes of ovarymay also affect the hormone production, for example. by ovarian cysts and polycystic ovarian disease.
The main symptom of abnormal hormone production is irregular periods. If the reason comes from the pituitary gland, there may also be other symptoms. At a portion disorders of the ovary or adrenal glandsthe production of male sex hormone, testosterone, have increased. It can provide increased hair growth on the face and body, deeper voice, acne and weight gain.