Signs of ovarian dysfunction in women. Ovarian dysfunction: causes, treatment. What is ovarian dysfunction and what symptoms may indicate its presence?

A woman was created to be a mother. Already initially it contains: love, warmth, affection, tenderness. And she needs to give all this to someone. For a loved one, it goes without saying, but it’s good if a “miracle” appears nearby, which is somewhat similar to both mom and dad. But not everyone can rejoice and enjoy motherhood, and in some cases the reason for this is female diseases. One of them is ovarian dysfunction, which is what we will be talking about at the moment.

Definition of disease

Ovarian dysfunction is a failure of their hormonal function. Most often, the disease can occur as a result of endocrine disorders and inflammatory processes. Any disturbance in the functioning of this organ can lead to instability of the entire body, especially the woman’s reproductive system. That is why representatives of the fairer sex, when making a diagnosis, are immediately concerned with the question: “If I have ovarian dysfunction, is it possible to get pregnant with this pathology?” There can be no clear answer to this question. Agree that most often a person learns about the disease only when he visits a specialist about infertility. And here everything is in the hands of the specialist and the patient.

Causes of pathology

Each disease has its own basis due to which it began to develop. Ovarian dysfunction is no exception. The reasons for its occurrence are as follows:

• The occurrence of inflammatory processes that have settled in the ovaries, uterus, and its appendages.
• Failure to maintain genital hygiene.
• Infection entering the genitals from other parts of the body.
• Incorrectly performed douching.
• Hypothermia.
• Various diseases of the ovaries and uterus.
• Endocrine disorders: congenital, acquired.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.
• Adrenal gland disease.
• Nervous and psychological stress.
• Stress.
• Failure to comply with the rest and work schedule.
• Overwork.
• Termination of pregnancy: artificial and spontaneous. The most dangerous is abortion during the first pregnancy. The body is ready for restructuring, it is configured to bear a fetus, and then suddenly everything is interrupted, and here you have ovarian dysfunction, which in the future can lead to infertility.
• Incorrect placement of the intrauterine device.
• External factors include: climate change, radiation damage, taking certain medications.

Symptoms of pathology

Now the conversation will be about the symptoms and signs of the disease. After all, this question is one of the most important. If you feel that you have such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Signs that should alert you include:

• Scanty menstruation.
• Irregularity of menstruation.
• Periodic bleeding.
• Pain in the lower abdomen most often has a pulling nature, but sometimes acute pain can occur and cover the lumbar region and hips. If you have acute ovarian dysfunction, the following symptoms are observed: abdominal pain, cramping, severe. Over time, it becomes chronic, the pain becomes dull, but its strength increases.
• Impaired egg maturation. There is a change in the processes of formation, and then the release of follicle-stimulating, luteinizing hormones and prolactin. The release of these hormones occurs during the menstrual cycle in a certain ratio. Their release is controlled by the pituitary gland. A change in the ratio leads to pathology.
• With a pathology such as ovarian dysfunction, the symptoms may be similar to those of PMS: headache, drowsiness, irritability, apathy, lethargy, heart rate increases, appetite decreases, dizziness, skin becomes pale.

Each of the above symptoms, even if they appear individually, should force you to immediately consult a specialist for advice. After all, if you do not pay attention to these signs in time, everything can end in failure - infertility.

Illness and pregnancy

These two phenomena are very closely connected. After all, a woman who dreams of becoming a mother in the future must take all measures to restore the reproductive function of her body. If this condition is delayed a little, it is fraught with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, mastopathy, breast cancer and infertility. Since ovarian dysfunction and pregnancy are strongly related, treatment of the pathology should be carried out under the supervision of an endocrinologist. The first step that needs to be taken is to restore the physiological ovulation cycle. For this purpose, hormonal drugs Clomiphene, Humegon or Pergonal are prescribed. You should start taking them from the fifth day of the menstrual cycle and drink them until the ninth day inclusive.

Monitoring is carried out using ultrasound. Thanks to it, the speed and degree of development of the follicle is recorded. When they reach the desired size, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is injected. This is what causes ovulation.

This therapy is carried out for three menstrual cycles in a row. Subsequently, the drug "Progesterone" is used, at the same time the basal temperature is measured and an ultrasound examination is performed.

There is no need to worry, modern medicine will stabilize menstruation and regulate the onset of ovulation. A woman will be able not only to become pregnant, but also to safely bear a child. But there is one condition: the expectant mother must be closely monitored from the very early stages of pregnancy.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to make a diagnosis of “ovarian dysfunction”, the doctor will need to carry out a set of procedures that are aimed at identifying the causes of the pathology:

• Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pelvic organs.
• The concentration of sex hormones in urine and blood is determined.
• Bacterial culture and microscopy of vaginal secretion for flora. These procedures help determine the presence of infection.
• Blood test for the presence of thyroid and adrenal hormones.
• X-ray of the skull, MRI of the brain to exclude pituitary gland disorders.
• Curettage of the cervical canal for further examination.
• Electroencephalography of the brain to study for the presence of pathological changes in it.

It cannot be said that every woman with ovarian dysfunction will have to undergo all these examinations. The approach to each patient must be individual, and only the attending physician should prescribe the necessary procedures. You need to remember one thing: the sooner you start treatment, the easier it will be to cope with it.

Those women who have a chronic pathology should visit a gynecologist two to four times a year, even if they feel great.

Treatment of pathology

When diagnosed with ovarian dysfunction, treatment consists of a set of medical measures. The procedures can be performed either inpatient or outpatient. They include:

• Carrying out emergency measures, which include stopping bleeding.
• Elimination of all causes of the disease.
• Restoration of normal hormonal function of the ovaries.

If the disease is mild, treatment can be carried out at home. But most often this happens in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor.

What else will help the treatment?

Hemostatic therapy is used to stop bleeding. If the desired effect is not obtained, you will have to resort to scraping. This is followed by histological analysis. Further treatment is carried out depending on the results obtained.

If ovarian dysfunction is in a chronic stage, then you will first have to get rid of the infection that is the cause of this disease. If the endocrine system is disrupted, treatment is carried out with hormone therapy.

During treatment you should take vitamins and dietary supplements. This will speed up your recovery.

Will also speed up treatment:

Maintaining a correct lifestyle;

Proper nutrition;

Playing sports;

Psychotherapeutic assistance.

If we talk about medications, patients are prescribed the drug Duphaston. This is how hormonal ovarian dysfunction is treated.

After treatment

After treatment is completed, the woman will have to adhere to some rules:

It is forbidden to install an intrauterine device for some time.

In order to normalize the functioning of ovarian hormones, you will have to take progesterone medications. They are prescribed from the sixteenth to the twenty-sixth day of the cycle. Seven days after the course of treatment, menstruation should begin. Its normalization occurs with the help of hormonal combined contraceptives.

In addition, a woman should continue to lead an active lifestyle, eat right and worry less. And, of course, visit your doctor.

Treatment with folk remedies

Now we will try to figure out how to treat ovarian dysfunction with folk remedies.

There are two types of therapy: douching and taking the medicine orally. With the help of traditional medicine, you can relieve the symptoms of the disease. Of course, the effectiveness of such drugs increases many times if they are used in combination with medications.

For oral administration the following are used: tincture of wintergreen, licorice, coltsfoot decoction, sweet clover herb, marshmallow root, thyme, nettle leaves, St. John's wort flowers, yarrow.

The following are great for douching: an infusion of immortelle leaves and flowers, black elderberry flowers, and oak bark.

Age and pathology

If a woman is in a reproductive state, then the disease is associated with a change in the amount of hormones that are responsible for ovulation.

Menopausal ovarian dysfunction is most often accompanied by uterine bleeding. This occurs depending on the disorder occurring in the maturation of the follicles. Because of this, endometrial hyperplasia arises. This disease also appears in the case of the development of hormonally active tumors in the ovaries.

Disease prevention

Try to worry less and not take everything too seriously.

Only moderate physical activity. Exhausting ones increase testosterone production and should be avoided.

Maintain an optimal weight. Take more vitamins.

When the first symptoms appear that start to scare you, go to the gynecologist. You shouldn’t joke with your health, because in the future, without treatment, ovarian dysfunction can lead to:

Malignant tumor;

Ectopic pregnancy;

Uterine fibroids, mastopathy, endometriosis;

Severe endocrine system disruption.

Take care of yourself, because sometimes, simply because changes in health are not paid attention to, the consequences can be very unpleasant.

The ovaries are very sensitive organs that are the first in the female body to react to various deviations from the norm. Therefore, often the first sign of their disease is a violation of reproductive function and the rhythm of menstruation.

Typically, women do not associate irregularities in the menstrual cycle with possible serious pathology, and this can lead to irreversible consequences, including infertility. One of the symptom complexes of many complex diseases is hormonal dysfunction of the ovaries.

Relationship between ovarian dysfunction and the menstrual cycle

The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is 21-35 days, with menstrual bleeding lasting from 3 to 7 days, and menstrual blood loss - from 50 to 100 ml. Any deviation from these figures indicates a menstrual cycle disorder and should be carefully examined, especially if such deviations are not observed for the first time and are repeated several times.

However, women do not rush to see a doctor and attribute the shortening or lengthening of the menstrual cycle to their individual physiological characteristics.

But there is no smoke without fire,

therefore, if deviations from the norm are observed,

This means there is a reason for this, often a very serious one.

Ovarian dysfunction is a pathology in which the production of hormones by these organs is disrupted, which leads to a disorder of the menstrual cycle and impaired reproductive function.

This pathology does not refer to independent diseases, and is only a syndrome that can be one of the manifestations of extragenital and gynecological diseases.

Causes of ovarian dysfunction

Since the ovaries are part of the complex hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-ovarian system, their regulation is seriously influenced by the correct functioning of the listed organs, that is, a failure at any level will lead to the development of dysfunction.

Ovarian dysfunction can be caused by numerous reasons:

• Disorder at the hypothalamus-pituitary level

An increase or decrease in the level of production of releasing factors by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland of LH, FSH and prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. The cause of this disorder may be pituitary tumors or mental illness.

• Diseases of the endocrine system

This group of diseases includes diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, pathology of the adrenal cortex and obesity. All of them develop due to a failure in the production of certain hormones.

• Disorders at the ovarian level

This group includes diseases of the ovaries and other female organs of the reproductive system:

• Inflammatory processes in the ovaries, appendages and uterus.
• Malignant and benign tumors, uterine and ovarian cysts.
• Endometriosis of the ovaries and other organs of the reproductive system.
• Premature wasting syndrome and scleropolycystic ovarian disease.

• Common extragenital diseases:

  severe kidney disease;

  decompensated cardiovascular failure;

  malignant blood diseases and anemia;

  serious pathology of the hepatobiliary system.

• External factors:

  Significant and/or prolonged stress, climate change, psycho-emotional stress, tanning, taking certain medications, anorexia and physical exhaustion.

  Violation of personal hygiene rules, radiation damage to the ovaries, improper douching, imbalance of work and rest in the daytime.

  Incorrect installation of an intrauterine device, operations and injuries on the ovaries or other pelvic organs, spontaneous or artificial premature termination of pregnancy.

Clinical picture of ovarian dysfunction syndrome

Symptoms of the disease when ovarian dysfunction occurs can be divided into the following groups:

• Hormonal manifestations

Such symptoms include unstable pressure, impaired condition of nails and hair (flaky nails with transverse stripes and specks, dull and brittle hair), unaesthetic appearance (acne, oily skin), psycho-emotional lability, which most often manifests itself on the eve of menstruation (aggressiveness, tearfulness , irritability), weakness and lethargy, the appearance of excess weight.

• Menstrual manifestations

A change in the nature of the cycle is observed. The duration can become either more than 35 days or less than 21. If menstruation is delayed, prolonged bleeding is observed for more than one week. In turn, frequent menstrual bleeding causes a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood and the development of anemia, which is manifested by dizziness, pallor and weakness. The amount of menstrual blood loss changes. It increases or is accompanied by spotting acyclic bleeding. The menstrual process becomes painful; the day before, the woman is bothered by spasmodic discomfort in the lower abdomen. Eventually, amenorrhea may develop, a condition in which menstruation is absent for more than 6 months.

• Ovulatory manifestations

There is a significant increase in the frequency of anovulatory cycles, which is caused by a lack of production of LH and FSH (the maturation process of the follicles is disrupted and they do not rupture to release the egg). With such violations, the woman becomes infertile.

If pregnancy occurs due to hormonal dysfunction of the ovaries, it is often interrupted.

Ovarian dysfunction, infertility, my life situation: video

To one degree or another, the above symptoms appear in every woman suffering from this pathology, however, only one group of symptoms is the most pronounced.

Diagnostics

To diagnose this pathology, many tests and methods are used. First of all, the doctor collects the patient’s complaints and medical history, conducts an initial gynecological examination, during which obvious and gross pathology (cysts, tumors) can already be suspected. Next, the doctor prescribes a number of general clinical studies:

Biochemical blood test (primarily the study of glucose levels).

Urine and blood collection for general tests.

Electrocardiography (to exclude cardiovascular pathology).

Taking a smear for the presence of vaginal microflora.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (determining the follicular apparatus, structure and size of the ovaries, identifying the dynamics of the ovulation process).

Determination of the presence of sexually transmitted infections using the PCR method.

Study of hormonal levels (determining the levels of progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and estrogens).

Measuring basal temperature (allows you to determine in which phase of the cycle the disturbances are present).

If necessary, tests of the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland and adrenal glands (urine and blood), as well as radiography of the skull (detection of the “empty sella” syndrome, pituitary tumors and other pathologies), CT and MRI of the brain may be prescribed. To check for local changes in the medulla, an EEG of the brain is prescribed.

Based on the test results, hysteroscopy is performed, during which the uterine cavity is scraped out and a mandatory histological examination of the scraping is carried out. If there are difficulties in confirming the diagnosis, diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed.

For each patient with this syndrome, a research program

is selected individually and depends on the most likely cause of the pathology.

Ovarian dysfunction: treatment

When determining ovarian dysfunction, the patient is treated by a gynecologist-endocrinologist. Typically, inpatient treatment is prescribed only in emergency cases, that is, in case of severe bleeding, then it begins with relief of the condition. The hemostasis carried out can be of two types - symptomatic (with the possible prescription of hormonal drugs) and surgical.

Curettage of the uterine cavity or surgical hemostasis is performed only in case of severe bleeding that threatens the patient’s life (profuse bleeding, unconsciousness, very low hemoglobin level).

Separate curettage of the cervix and uterine cavity is performed with further histological examination of the scraping.

Then, until the bleeding stops completely, symptomatic therapy is prescribed, sometimes with elements of hormones (ascorbic acid, uterotonics, dicinone, physiotherapy along with combined oral contraceptives).

At the next stage of therapy, measures are taken to prevent bleeding. Doctors recommend taking hormonal progesterone preparations from the 16th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle (Utrozhestan, Duphaston or Norkolut).

At the same time, measures are being taken to treat anemia (the use of iron-containing drugs Ferritab and Sorbifer Durules is prescribed based on the indications for blood transfusion of red blood cells).

In the final phase of taking protegen-containing drugs for a week, slight or moderate menstrual-like bleeding is observed, the first day of which is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and in accordance with this, combined oral contraceptives are prescribed. This stage of treatment lasts from 3 to 6 months or more, depending on the woman’s desire to preserve reproductive function.

Having completed the bleeding control, the patient is simultaneously given treatment aimed at eliminating the cause of ovarian dysfunction.

If the diagnosis reveals inflammatory diseases and genital infections, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy is prescribed.

Usually, after completing a course of antibiotics, spontaneous restoration of the menstrual cycle and ovulation process is observed, so the prescription of hormonal drugs is not required.

When diagnosing extragenital pathology, it is necessary to correct the identified diseases.

If the development of ovarian dysfunction is caused by external factors, it is recommended to correct nutrition, maintain mental and emotional rest, take vitamins, dietary supplements according to the phases of the cycle, and dosed physical activity.

If the cause of ovarian dysfunction is ovarian cysts and tumors, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and other gynecological diseases, treatment should be performed depending on the situation (hormonal therapy, removal of cysts/tumors).

Women who have undergone treatment for this pathology should remember ,

that they are prohibited from installing an intrauterine device.

Ovarian dysfunction: pregnancy planning

Most often, patients are concerned with the question “Is it possible to get pregnant with ovarian dysfunction?” The doctors answer is that you can get pregnant. But it should be remembered that treatment of the pathology is long-term and begins with restoring the rhythm of ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

If the menstrual cycle is restored, but persistent anovulation is observed, to stimulate it, hormonal anti-estrogenic drugs (Humegon, Clostilbegit, Pergonal) are prescribed, which should be taken for five days from days 5 to 9 of the cycle. A woman taking drugs to stimulate ovulation is prescribed an ultrasound to monitor the rate of increase in the thickness of the uterine mucosa and the degree of follicle maturation. In each cycle, ultrasound control is carried out repeatedly (on average 2-3 times), and the duration of ovulation stimulation is three months.

We talk slowly but deliberately about ovarian dysfunction: video

When the main follicle reaches the desired size (18 mm), and the thickening of the endometrium of the uterus is 8-10 mm, it is recommended to introduce chorionic

gonadotropin. This hormone is introduced into the body in a dosage of 10,000 IU and stimulates the transition of the follicular phase of ovulation to the luteal phase, provoking rupture of the follicle and the “release” of a mature egg. Then, for three monthly cycles, you need to take progesterone-containing drugs (from 16 to 25 days).

The onset of ovulation is monitored using ultrasound data (the thickness of the uterine mucosa and the size of the follicle) and a basal temperature chart once a month at this stage.

After the restoration of the normal menstrual cycle and persistent ovulation, a woman can easily become pregnant and carry a child to term without complications. Using a similar treatment regimen for ovarian dysfunction, restoration of the menstrual cycle and ovulation is observed in 90% of cases, which accordingly solves the problem of infertility.

Content

The ovaries are vital female organs that regulate the menstrual and ovulatory cycles. When their functioning is disrupted, the entire body suffers. The phenomenon does not occur independently, but arises as a result of certain pathological processes. The endocrine system has always been one of the most mysterious areas, but modern medicine has managed to find answers to many pressing questions.

Ovarian dysfunction: what is it?

A condition in which female organs stop working normally is not an independent pathology. Ovarian dysfunction is a medical term that describes a set of symptoms. The syndrome can develop at any age. The environment plays a huge role in shaping this process. The main clinical sign is bleeding in the uterus, failure of the ovarian cycle. Women experience hormonal dysfunction and infertility may occur.

Ovarian dysfunction: causes

The causes of ovarian dysfunction in women can be external as well as internal:

• pathology of the pituitary gland;
• somatic diseases;
• decreased brain performance;
• genitourinary diseases;
• insufficient production of thyroid hormones or hyperfunction;
• external factors - stress, bad habits, poor sleep, exhaustion of the body.

Ovarian dysfunction during the reproductive period

Pathology leads to the fact that the ovular system ceases to function, which is manifested by the inability to conceive a child. The condition at this period of the patient’s life threatens with serious health consequences, including the development of malignant processes. Ovarian dysfunction during the reproductive period occurs even in adolescents. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus stop working normally. Symptoms such as absence of menstruation or irregular cycle are typical.

Menopausal ovarian dysfunction

During premenopause, the syndrome makes itself felt with copious bloody discharge, which is caused by changes in endometrial tissue in the uterus. The cause of this phenomenon may be tumor formations. Patients aged menopause are at risk for developing similar conditions. If a woman experiences bloody discharge, she should immediately consult a doctor. Menopausal ovarian dysfunction should not be left without medical attention, otherwise it will lead to dire consequences.

Ovarian dysfunction: symptoms

The main signs of ovarian dysfunction in women:

• emotional instability.
• cycle disorders;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• spotting discharge;
• amenorrhea;
• infertility;
• lack of ovulation;
• there are a number of changes in behavior, physical, emotional state;
• there is a lack of production of the hormones progesterone and estrogen.

Ovarian dysfunction: treatment

To begin with, ultrasound examinations are carried out: ultrasound of the thyroid gland, ultrasound of the adrenal glands. A number of activities are being carried out:

• tests to detect changes in blood and urine;
• check the level of hormones: luteinizing, follicle-stimulating, prolactin;
• bacterial culture of vaginal secretions for flora;
• PCR diagnostics;
• microscopy;
• hysteroscopy;
• X-ray examination of the skull;
• MRI – magnetic resonance imaging;
• EEG of the brain - electroencephalogram;
• CT scan of the brain - computed tomography;
• diagnostic curettage of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity to obtain a picture of its condition;
• biopsy for histological examination of the pathological area.

How to treat ovarian dysfunction on an outpatient basis? The doctor’s task is to restore all existing hormonal disorders and cure other pathological processes in the pelvic organs. Eliminating the cause of the disease and normalizing lifestyle play a huge role in recovery. Treatment involves an integrated approach; it cannot be done without acupuncture, massage, etc. Nutritionists advise women to eat separately.

Some patients need correction of emergency conditions - stopping bleeding. Such women need to be treated inpatiently under the supervision of medical personnel. In this case, hemostatic therapy helps; according to the decision of a specialist, the drug Duphaston is used. Women of childbearing age are prescribed drugs to activate ovulation. If the treatment for ovarian dysfunction has been chosen correctly, then the cycle will soon be restored and the female organs will begin to function normally.

Ovarian dysfunction: treatment with folk remedies

Alternative medicine suggests drinking decoctions and infusions of herbs, and doing douching. Treatment of ovarian dysfunction with folk remedies is not complete without homeopathy, which offers its own equally effective solutions to the problem. Let's look at the most popular recipes:

• chop the blueberry leaves and pour boiling water over one large spoon of the drug, leave for half an hour and drink three tablespoons per day;
• Mix sweet clover and centaury herbs in equal proportions, pour boiling water over it and wrap the container with a warm scarf. Leave for 60 minutes, strain and drink three tablespoons per day.

Vitamins for ovarian dysfunction

A person will recover faster if, in parallel with general therapy, he drinks a complex of vitamins. Vitamins A, E, group B, folic and ascorbic acid, and multivitamins are prescribed. Vitamins for ovarian dysfunction can be obtained not only from tablets, but also through a healthy balanced diet, supplemented with fruits and vegetables, freshly squeezed juices and compotes.

Is it possible to get pregnant with ovarian dysfunction?

During hormonal treatment, folliculogenesis is performed, with the help of which it is possible to observe the maturation of eggs. When the ovulation process stabilizes, a woman can successfully conceive a child. You need to understand that ovarian dysfunction and pregnancy are two conditions that require constant medical supervision. After giving birth, a woman should visit her gynecologist at least twice a year for the next five years.

Ovarian dysfunction: consequences

If you do not pay attention to the symptoms of the disease, infertility occurs. Even with successful conception, the pregnancy is interrupted and ends in miscarriage. The consequences of ovarian dysfunction can manifest as tumor formations, mastopathy and other problems. Do not delay your visit to the doctor; timely seeking medical help is the key to a successful recovery without complications.

Video: what is ovarian dysfunction

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Found an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we will fix everything!

Ovarian dysfunction– a disease caused by a failure of the hormone-producing function of the ovaries and leading to disruption of the menstrual cycle and lack of ovulation. Menstruation is delayed for more than 35 days or, conversely, the menstrual cycle is reduced to less than 21 days. There is heavy bleeding over a long period. In medicine, menstrual bleeding is considered normal, lasting 3-7 days with blood loss of 100-150 ml. Any deviations in the duration of the menstrual cycle, its rhythm and the amount of blood loss are considered a violation of the functioning of the ovaries. Ovarian dysfunction during the reproductive period can trigger the development of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancer, mastopathy and infertility.

Causes of ovarian dysfunction

The activity of the ovaries is regulated by hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland - prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Each stage of the menstrual cycle is characterized by a certain ratio of hormones, which ensures the normal course of all processes, including ovulation. Hormonal imbalance is the cause of ovarian dysfunction, leading to disturbances in their functioning and to the absence of ovulation. The absence of the corpus luteum phase and ovulation leads to various menstrual disorders associated with excess estrogen and lack of progesterone. Ovarian dysfunction after a frozen pregnancy, caused by improper hormone production, can cause a number of serious complications if not properly treated.

Factors that can provoke hormonal imbalance and the development of ovarian dysfunction:

• ongoing inflammatory processes in the ovaries (oophoritis), uterus (cervicitis and endometritis) and appendages (adnexitis and salpingoophoritis);
• diseases of the uterus and ovaries (tumors, endometriosis, denomyosis, uterine fibroma, cancer of the body and cervix);
• endocrine diseases (congenital or acquired) - diseases of the adrenal glands and thyroid glands, obesity, diabetes mellitus;
• stress, mental and physical fatigue, irrational work and rest;
• termination of pregnancy, spontaneous or artificial;
• incorrect placement of the intrauterine device in the uterine cavity;
• the influence of external factors - sudden climate change, taking medications, radiation damage, etc.

Inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries can develop due to poor hygiene of the genital organs, colds, and the introduction of pathogens from other organs with the lymph or bloodstream.

Symptoms of ovarian dysfunction

Characteristic signs of ovarian dysfunction are:

• irregularity of menstruation, their increased intensity or scarcity;
• the occurrence of bleeding during intermenstrual periods;
• disruption of the processes of ovulation and egg maturation, leading to infertility or miscarriage;
• dull, drawing or cramping pain in the lower back and lower abdomen during menstrual and premenstrual days;
• severe premenstrual syndrome, manifested by lethargy, irritability or apathy;
• acyclic uterine bleeding - too frequent or too rare, with an interval of less than 21 days or more than 35 days, respectively;
• duration of bleeding (over 7 days) and its abundance (with blood loss more than 150 ml);
• non-occurrence of menstruation for 6 months or more (amenorrhea).

If you identify symptoms of ovarian dysfunction, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Ovarian dysfunction during the reproductive period is a risk of developing infertility and the body’s inability to bear a fetus. Modern medicine, with timely treatment, can completely restore women's health. Symptoms and treatment for ovarian dysfunction may vary from case to case.

Ovarian dysfunction may indicate a number of problems:

• ectopic pregnancy;
• malignant tumors of the uterus;
• breast cancer;

With age, metabolic processes slow down and the risk of hormonal disorders increases, so ovarian dysfunction in premenopause will have its own characteristics.

If you experience similar symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with the consequences.

The best doctors for the treatment of ovarian dysfunction

In order to restore the menstrual cycle and prevent uterine bleeding, progesterone therapy is used from the 16th to the 26th day of the cycle. Within 7 days after therapy, menstruation begins, its beginning is considered the beginning of a new cycle. In the future, combined hormonal contraceptives are prescribed to normalize menstrual cycles. In case of ovarian dysfunction, even after successful treatment, the installation of an IUD (intrauterine device) is contraindicated.

Ovarian dysfunction and pregnancy

Whether it is possible to get pregnant with ovarian dysfunction cannot be answered unequivocally; much depends on the severity of the disease and the causes that caused it. In case of ovarian dysfunction, monitoring by a gynecologist-endocrinologist over preparation for pregnancy and its course is required. For this purpose, a treatment course is carried out aimed at restoring the ovulation process, using hormonal drugs - clomiphene, prophasia, pergonal and humigon. They are used from day 5 to day 9 of the cycle inclusive.

During the course of therapy, the degree and speed of follicle maturation is monitored using ultrasound. Once the follicle size reaches 18 mm and the endometrial thickness reaches 8-10 mm, a drug that causes ovulation - human chorionic gonadotropin - is administered.

Stimulation therapy is usually carried out for another 3-4 subsequent menstrual cycles. After that, progesterone preparations are used for three more cycles - from days 16 to 26. Monitoring the onset of ovulation is carried out by measuring basal (rectal) temperature and conducting control ultrasounds.

Modern treatment methods used in gynecology, in some cases, make it possible to achieve stabilization of the menstrual cycle and regular ovulation. Competent treatment makes it possible to become pregnant and carry a child to term. Pregnancy management in women with ovarian dysfunction is carried out from an early stage with increased attention.

Danger

If you are not interested in how to cure ovarian dysfunction and do not take any action, this can lead to the following consequences:

• breast cancer;
• oncological diseases.

Prevention

To prevent ovarian dysfunction, doctors recommend avoiding nervous tension and stressful situations, adhering to a healthy lifestyle and avoiding promiscuity. To normalize metabolic processes and hormonal levels, a healthy, nutritious diet, compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and physical activity are necessary.

This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.

Any dysfunction of the ovaries causes an imbalance of sex hormones, which leads to diseases of the reproductive system and mammary glands. The consequences are severe menstrual disorders and the inability to have children. It is not difficult to recognize ovarian dysfunction if you take care of your health. Pain in the lower abdomen, cycle disorders - if such signs appear, you need to visit a doctor in order to correctly diagnose the disease and undergo a course of treatment. It is important to eliminate the cause of the violations.

Content:

Ovarian dysfunction and its consequences

The function of the ovaries in the body is the production of female sex hormones - estrogens and progesterone, in response to the effects of pituitary hormones (FSH - follicle-stimulating and LH - luteinizing). Dysfunction of the ovaries, that is, their inability to produce hormones in the required quantities, leads to disruption of the maturation of the egg and the impossibility of its fertilization.

The result of dysfunction is an abnormal lengthening (up to 40 days or more) or shortening of the cycle (less than 21 days), the occurrence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (heavy and prolonged, appearing between irregular menstruation), lack of ovulation (the egg does not mature completely, the follicle does not rupture). The level of female sex hormones affects the functioning of all systems of the female body. Therefore, the consequences of ovarian dysfunction are:

1. Reproductive health disorders resulting in infertility or miscarriage.
2. The occurrence in a woman of endometriosis (pathological growth of the epithelial layer of the uterine cavity and its germination into other organs), polycystic disease, as well as the appearance of fibroids (benign tumors) and malignant neoplasms in the uterus.
3. Development of breast cancer (estrogen-dependent tumor).
4. Nervous system disorder, deterioration of skin and hair condition, abdominal and back pain, other manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

Anemia and deterioration in general health are also an indirect sign of improper ovarian function.

Video: Causes of hormonal disorders in women

Causes of malfunction

The occurrence of dysfunction is promoted not only by hormonal changes and the deterioration of a woman’s general well-being, but even by living conditions and the environment. The causes and consequences of ovarian dysfunction are interrelated.

The main factors leading to this pathology are abnormal changes in hormonal levels in the body, leading to the appearance of diseases of the uterus and appendages. The first symptom of such pathologies is a disruption in the production of female sex hormones in the ovaries and, as a consequence, the impossibility of the normal course of the menstrual cycle. The disorders are caused by disruption of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland and other internal secretion organs. Often their cause is diabetes.

Hormonal changes can be natural. For example, dysfunctional disorders often occur in young girls at the very beginning of puberty, when the reproductive organs are in the developmental stage and the cycle has not formed. Ovarian dysfunction is one of the main manifestations of menopause. During this period, there is a depletion of the supply of eggs, aging and shrinkage of the ovaries. This leads to the appearance of an increasing number of anovulatory cycles, lengthening the pauses between menstruation until the complete disappearance of menstruation. During premenopause, it is possible to alternate between heavy and scanty periods. Until the onset of menopause, these processes are natural.

Important to remember: Pathology is the appearance of any bleeding after menstruation at this age has been absent for 1 year. This may be a symptom of endometrial hyperplasia, uterine cancer. If such a sign appears, you should urgently visit a doctor.

The cause of hormonal disorders and ovarian dysfunction in women of reproductive age are previous diseases of the reproductive system:

• benign and malignant tumors;
• inflammation of the endometrium of the uterus (endometritis) and ovaries (adnexitis);
• infectious lesions of the genital organs (thrush, genital herpes, gonorrhea);
• metabolic disorders and associated sudden changes in body weight;
• taking certain medications and contraceptives, installing an intrauterine device;
• abortions and other operations on the reproductive organs;
• irregular sex life;
• smoking, alcohol and drug addiction.

Comment: The ovaries are an organ that is sensitive even to a woman’s mood and mental state. Severe stress, worries about the lack of pregnancy, untimely arrival of menstruation, as well as changes in usual living conditions can affect the functioning of the ovaries and cause temporary or chronic disorders.

The occurrence of dysfunction is facilitated by the presence of blood, liver, kidney diseases in a woman, as well as cardiovascular failure.

Video: Dysfunction: what it is, how it manifests itself

Symptoms of dysfunction

A number of characteristic symptoms indicate that a woman has ovarian dysfunction. First of all, this is a violation of the regularity and duration of the cycle.

With normal ovarian function, the level of estrogen in a woman of childbearing age gradually decreases towards the middle of the cycle, and the level of progesterone increases. Thanks to this, the endometrium develops normally in the uterus and a healthy egg is formed, ready for fertilization. If conception does not occur, then menstruation occurs in a timely manner, lasting 3-5 days and volume 40-80 ml. Dysfunction leads to a sharp change in hormone levels, which can lead to uterine bleeding between menstruation. It can be so intense that a woman needs emergency medical attention to stop it. Large blood loss is life-threatening.

Lack of estrogen leads to a shortening of the first phase of the cycle and a reduction in its length. Menstruation begins to come randomly and more often than after 21 days. Excess estrogen leads to a lack of ovulation and significant delays in menstruation. One of the possible consequences of ovarian dysfunction is amenorrhea - the complete cessation of menstruation in a woman of reproductive age (for six months or more).

Insufficient production of progesterone makes it impossible to maintain pregnancy and carry the fetus to term. At the same time, the woman’s periods become longer and more abundant. Blood loss leads to symptoms of iron deficiency in the body (dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache).

An excess of the hormone causes a lengthening of the second phase of the cycle and indicates abnormal development of the corpus luteum that produces it. This condition is characterized by the appearance of migraines, swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands, depressive mood, and decreased sexual activity.

Both an excess and a deficiency of female sex hormones may cause symptoms such as a feeling of constant fatigue, allergic skin reactions in the form of itching and rashes, blurred vision, and a drop in blood pressure. With ovarian dysfunction, neurological disorders occur: insomnia, pain in the heart, causeless mood swings. There is excessive growth of body hair, deterioration in the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.

Diagnosis of dysfunction

The purpose of the examination is to confirm the disorder of the hormonal function of the ovaries and to determine the cause of the pathology. The presence of a disorder can be assumed based on symptoms such as cycle disorders, the presence of intermenstrual bleeding, inability to become pregnant, and general malaise.

To confirm the diagnosis and establish the cause of ovarian dysfunction, the following studies are performed:

• blood test for pituitary, thyroid, prolactin, estrogen and progesterone hormones;
• biochemical blood test for sugar to exclude diabetes mellitus;
• PCR analysis of a smear from the vagina and cervix to detect pathogens of genital and other infections that could cause inflammation of the ovaries;
• biopsy of tumors in the uterus (histological examination of samples can detect malignant diseases);
• folliculometry - weekly ultrasound, which allows you to monitor the development of follicles, detect the presence or absence of ovulation;
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
• study of the condition of the pituitary gland using MRI and CT scans of the brain.

An ultrasound of the uterus and appendages is required to detect such indicators as the thickness of the endometrium, the location and size of the dominant follicle, and the presence of cystic cavities. The examination is done abdominally (externally) or transvaginally (through the vagina, by inserting a sensor into it).

Treatment for ovarian dysfunction

Ovarian dysfunction manifests itself differently depending on the cause that caused it, the woman’s age, and general health. Treatment may require stopping bleeding, eliminating the causes of infertility, treating diseases of the genital organs, eliminating hormonal disorders and cycle disorders.

Elimination of uterine bleeding. In some cases, hormonal drugs are used for this. For example, on days 16-21 of the cycle, a woman is prescribed progesterone medications. The intrauterine device is removed. If results cannot be achieved quickly, then curettage of the uterine cavity is performed to remove the bleeding endometrium.

Elimination of hormonal imbalance. It is usually carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist and an experienced endocrinologist. Drugs containing estrogens and progesterone (in the form of birth control pills) are prescribed. The type and dose of the drug is selected depending on the nature of hormonal abnormalities and the age of the patient. The functioning of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and pancreas is adjusted (using hormonal agents to reduce blood sugar in diabetes).

Treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases reproductive organs with the help of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs.

Infertility treatment. If a woman experiences infertility due to lack of ovulation, ovarian dysfunction is diagnosed and treated with drugs that increase the level of estrogen in the blood, stimulating the growth of the ovaries, the development of follicles and the release of eggs from them. Such remedies include humegon, pergonal, profazi. Their dose is selected strictly individually to avoid the consequences of excess hormones. Medicines are taken on certain days of the cycle.

Advice: You can determine whether ovulation occurs and on which days of the cycle this occurs by measuring your basal temperature daily and drawing up an appropriate schedule. If the temperature in the middle of the cycle increases by 0.5°-1°, then the result is positive and pregnancy is possible. If the temperature does not change, then, as a rule, there is ovarian dysfunction. Special rapid tests for ovulation (Eviplan and others) are also used at home.

The woman is also given drugs with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to stimulate the maturation of the egg and maintain pregnancy (gonacor, pregnyl).

Video: How ovulation is determined. Stimulation of ovulation in the treatment of infertility