Hyperandrogenia in women: causes, symptoms, treatment. What is dangerous giperandrogenia in women

In medicine, such a problem as hyperandrogenism in women is known. Causes, symptoms, treatment with this diagnosis require assessment and participation of qualified doctors. And although this ailment is extremely difficult to overcome completely, to apply to doctors better without delay.

The essence of the disease

When it comes to a disease such as hyperandrogenism in women, the causes of symptoms, treatment and preventive measures are always associated with a problem such as the effect of adrogens on the body. This process leads to the appearance in the female appearance of male characteristics and other not very pleasant changes. Speaking in more detail, we are talking about such manifestations as the appearance of vegetation on the face and body, low voice, as well as changes in some elements of the figure.

It should be noted that this pathology of the female endocrine system is common, and is able not only to lead to unpleasant external changes, but also to cause infertility. Therefore, if you have the first symptoms of hyperandrogenism, you should immediately plan a visit to the doctor.

Why does the pathology develop?

The theme of "hyperandrogenism in women: the causes of symptoms, treatment" Is very important for women, because this problem is manifested in about 20% of patients. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to those factors and processes that lead to the development of this disease.

As the main reason, it is possible to determine ACS - adrenogenital syndrome. The bottom line is that the adrenal glands are capable of producing many other hormones, in addition to the adrogens, for example, glucocorticoids. The latter appear under the influence of a certain enzyme. The basis for their occurrence are the accumulated androgens. Sometimes a woman already at birth has a defect of the enzyme, as a result of which male hormones are not transformed, but accumulate on a permanent basis, causing unpleasant changes in the female body.

There is another process, due to which the hyperandrogenia of the adrenal genesis develops. We are talking about tumors of the adrenal glands. They are also formed against the background of increased concentrations of androgens.

The risk of development of the pathology mentioned above also appears in the case when the development of male hormones in the ovaries of a woman occurs. Moreover, cells that produce adrogens can cause tumors in the ovaries.

The syndrome of hyperandrogenism is sometimes a consequence of the effects of pathologies of other endocrine organs, for example, the pituitary gland.

Signs of excess androgens

If we talk about the clinical symptoms of increased concentrations of male hormone, they can be described as follows:

• acne;
• Hair loss and bald patches in the forehead area (adrogenic alopecia);

• The sebaceous glands begin to produce an excessive amount of secretion, as a result of which the fat content of the skin rises;
• Barifony, which means lowering the voice of the voice;
• On the stomach and chest appear hair.

It is worth noting the fact that hirsutism - excess growth of terminal hair on the female body, is diagnosed in 80% of patients with a problem such as hyperandrogenism syndrome.

With a similar disease, some women of the fairer sex may have a menstrual cycle, a complete absence of menstruation, as well as hypertrophy of the myocardium, obesity, infertility and hypertension.

The concentration of male hormones can cause increased susceptibility of the female body to infections of various types. There is also a rapid fatigue and a tendency to depression.

Acne and sebaceous glands

To clearly understand what to do with such a problem as hyperandrogenism in women, the causes, symptoms, treatment and diagnosis should be considered thoroughly. Since the factors responsible for the development of the disease have been considered above, it makes sense to study the features of the symptomatology.

If you touch such a problem as acne, it is worth noting that they are a consequence of keratinization of the follicle walls and increased production of sebum, which is stimulated by the concentration of androgens, including in plasma. With such symptoms, as a rule, COCs or anti-androgens are prescribed, which makes it possible to significantly improve the patient's condition.

Also, under the influence of male hormones in the androgen-dependent zones, pigmented, thick, coarse hair appears instead of guns. Usually it occurs in the puberty period. In this case, the effect of androgen on the eyebrows, eyelashes, temporal and occipital parts remains minimal.

Adrenal hyperandrogenism

It is worth recalling that the adrenal glands are two endocrine glands that are directly above the kidneys themselves.

They are the source of 95% of the produced androgen (DEA-sulfate). The complexity of hyperandrogenism associated with these glands is reduced to the fact that pathology has an innate character and makes itself felt against the background of the androgenital syndrome. It leads to a critical reduction in the female body of the level of enzymes necessary for the production of hormones such as glucocorticoids.

Hyperandrogenism of adrenal origin is described It is this deficit that leads to an increase in the concentration of other hormones - pregnenolone, progesterone, etc. Such changes result in increased production of androgen in the female body.

Sometimes a pathology is diagnosed, which was caused by tumors of the adrenal glands secreting the male hormone. According to statistics, this form of the disease as adrenal hyperandrogenism is fixed in 30-50% of women who have problems with androgen.

Effects on the ovaries

A high concentration of male hormones can affect the functioning of the ovaries. In most cases, this problem manifests itself through two forms: hypertecosis and polycystosis. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the risk of developing this pathology in women increases with regular exercise by power sports.

Ovarian hyperandrogenia is a consequence of slower growth of follicles under the influence of androgens. Because of them the ovaries are composed, the result of such processes is the infection of the latter. The medical name of this problem is follicular atresia.

But this is not all the complications that accompany the hyperandrogenia of the ovaries genesis. The bottom line is that the male hormone plays the role of a factor against which the pathological formation of the fibrous connective tissue develops, which leads to polycystosis. In this situation, the good news is that only 5% of women face this problem.

It is also worth noting that this form of hyperandrogenism in the fairer sex is the cause of the failure of the central regulation of the androgen level. This process occurs at the hypothalamic and pituitary levels. As a result, the hormonal background changes noticeably.

Signs that you should pay attention to

There are a number of symptoms that indicate the appearance of the problem described above. The fact that there is a pathology such as hyperandrogenia of the ovaries of genesis can be learned from the following manifestations:

• osteoporosis;
• Seborrhea;
• On the face, in addition to acne, there is peeling and inflammation, which is difficult to neutralize with the usual cosmetology methods;
• amyotrophy;
• excess weight;
• Changing the proportions of the female body - masculinization;
• Coarse voice (barifony);
• Hair growth throughout the body, even on the face;
• The formation of bald spots on the head.

In addition, there are many secondary symptoms, such as increased blood glucose levels, arterial hypertension, lowered immunity, etc.

Excess weight

Obesity in women can cause the above described ovarian hyperandrogenia. With this form of pathology, an increase in the level of estradiol is often recorded.

The doctors conducted a study according to which the following information was confirmed: both the high level of the male hormone and the estrogen forming under its influence, have the most direct effect on the development of obesity corresponding to the male type.

Such processes are the cause of increased insulin dependence and the subsequent increase in the concentration of the male hormone in the body of women suffering from the pathology described above. In some cases, androgens are influenced not by the weight of a woman through the central nervous system.

Mixed form

Physicians with certain periodicity have to face the manifestation of several forms of hyperandrogenism. This situation is explained by the fact that at the same time there is a violation of the adrenal and ovarian functions.

The possibility of such a complication is important to consider when studying what dangerous hyperandrogenism in women. In fact, this is what happens: adrenal androgens, concentrating in the adrenal glands, thereby increasing the level of the male hormone in the ovaries. This process occurs in the blood, which leads to increased production of luteinizing hormone. The latter, in turn, provokes the appearance of a hyperandrogenic syndrome.

The emergence of a mixed form of pathology may be due to severe trauma, brain intoxication or a pituitary tumor.

Diagnostics

Initially, the doctor must separate the hyperandrogenia from other diseases, against which it develops (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, liver disease, etc.). The next step is to determine the hormonal level. This procedure should be performed on an empty stomach in the morning. Such an analysis must be performed three times, as the hormonal background with a high concentration of androgen is constantly changing.

Attention is drawn to the level of dehydroepiandrosterone, the high content of which will be indicative of adrenal hyperandrogenism. Also important is the level of ketosteroids in the urine. If its content goes beyond the norm, then it makes sense to suspect the development of pathology.

Methods of treatment

Hyperandrogenism is too serious a problem to ignore the help of qualified medics. And if we analyze the entire course of treatment, then we can conclude that it is aimed at achieving 4 key goals:

• Elimination of manifestations on the skin;
• Normalization of the menstrual cycle;
• Treatment of infertility, which was caused by anovulation;
• Elimination and prevention of metabolic disorders associated with the underlying disease.

Diet for hyperandrogenia in women is prescribed in case of significant weight gain. In this case, it is important to follow all the doctor's recommendations exactly, only if this condition is met can you get the desired result.

Those patients who intend to have a baby, in most cases, are prescribed hormone therapy, which can provide full ovulation.

Women who do not plan pregnancy are treated, including oral contraceptives, and in some cases wedge-shaped excision of the ovaries.

Drugs for the treatment of hyperandrogenism in women are also actively used if the body is not able to neutralize the high level of androgen alone. We are talking about such means as "Metipred", "Dexamethasone", etc. Surgical intervention can be prescribed if the pathology is provoked by the tumor.

Results

High concentration of male hormone in the female body is more than a serious problem, which often develops against the background of no less dangerous diseases. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, the diagnosis and treatment should be carried out without fail.