It can't be abused like a health supplement for alleviating menopausal symptoms and preserving fertility
Nov 10, 2024
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◇Female hormones play a stable role in metabolic balance
The general manager of hormone secretion is the brain. The pituitary gland, an important regulatory center located below the brain, secretes follicle-stimulating hormone and lutein, which are responsible for ovarian functions such as ovarian growth and ovulation, and prolactin (juice secretion hormone), which affects breast milk secretion and menstrual cycle control during pregnancy and childbirth.
Hormones secreted from the pituitary gland act on the ovaries, allowing estrogen and progesterone, which are representatives of female hormones, to be secreted. Estrogen plays an important role in preparing for pregnancy by proliferating the endometrium, as well as maintaining cardiovascular health and bone density, and progesterone helps to maintain pregnancy by suppressing the proliferation of the endometrium and preventing contraction of uterine muscles.
In addition, hormones secreted from the thyroid gland are also important for the balance of metabolism and are especially essential for stable pregnancy and childbirth in women. Menstrual irregularities can occur if hormonal balance collapses due to hypothyroidism or hypertension.
◇Women's hormone therapy is 'balanced'…Purpose of Menopause Management, Pregnancy, etc
Hormone treatment in obstetrics and gynecology is mainly performed to balance female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. The purpose of treatment varies from managing menopausal symptoms, treating infertility, improving menstrual irregularities, and contraception. Depending on the purpose, treatment methods such as taking medicine, application medicine, vaginal treatment, injection, and patch may also vary. The patient's condition is checked periodically, and it proceeds by supplementing insufficient hormones or suppressing excessive hormone secretion.
◇ Treatment of postmenopausal female hormones to relieve menopausal symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis
At menopause age, estrogen in the human body becomes insufficient, and as a result, 9 out of 10 menopausal women suffer from menopausal symptoms such as facial flushing, cold sweat, and sleep disorders. Dryness of the vagina and cystitis also occur frequently. Hormone replacement therapy, which supplements female hormones, not only relieves these symptoms but also helps prevent osteoporosis. In particular, women who suffered early menopause before the age of 40 are prone to health problems due to rapid aging, so such treatment is essential.
However, estrogen monotherapy can promote endometrial growth and cause problems such as endometrial cancer. To prevent this, an appropriate dose and type of progesterone co-administration are required. If breast, ovary, uterine, and blood tests are performed on a regular basis roughly once a year, there is no need to worry too much about the development of cancer caused by continuous female hormone treatment.
◇ Treatment of endometriosis using female hormones
Endometriosis refers to a disease in which endometrial tissue attaches to and proliferates in various areas outside the uterus, such as the pelvic cavity, and when it increases, tumors in the ovaries, etc. It is so common that 1 in 10 women and 3 to 5 in 10 infertile women are diagnosed. It is not uncommon to visit the hospital due to sudden menstrual pain and diagnose it accidentally.
In the past, endometriosis was mainly treated through surgery, but hormone therapy has been actively performed due to the recent development of progestin (synthetic progesterone preparations). On the other hand, since endometriosis is a major cause of decreased ovarian function and infertility, egg or embryo freezing may be considered to preserve fertility.
◇ Preserving fertility using female hormones...Increase the safety of the egg and embryo freezing process
Hormone treatment is also being used in various ways as infertility problems and long-term survival issues in cancer patients have recently emerged in the era of low birth rates. In particular, for female cancer patients of childbearing age, female hormone treatment plays an important role in preserving pregnancy and childbirth potential. For example, there were many concerns that women diagnosed with breast cancer should give up pregnancy while receiving chemotherapy and anti-hormone treatment to prevent recurrence. However, recently, through egg freezing for unmarried women and embryo freezing for married women, it is possible to actively consider preserving fertility. At this time, female hormones are used in the hyperovulation induction stage, and hormones that suppress abnormal increases in female hormones such as retrozole can be used together to increase the safety of the egg and embryo freezing process.
In addition, although rare, early endometrial cancer women gave birth to healthy babies as in vitro babies after successful chemotherapy instead of hysterectomy. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with cancer at a young age, it is recommended to consult a specialist about your pregnancy and birth plan before starting treatment.
Professor Koo Seung-yeop said, `Hormone therapy is very useful for restoring and maintaining women's health, but even a small amount can cause serious side effects such as irregular bleeding or thrombosis, so it can be dangerous to take hormone drugs recklessly as health supplements or functional drugs such as vitamins" he warned.
If you have problems with women's health, such as amenorrhea, endometriosis, and menopausal symptoms, it is necessary to consult with an obstetrician and gynecologist, if possible, to establish and follow-up hormonal treatment plans optimized for your situation. Above all, a desirable lifestyle plays an important role in maintaining hormone balance, so if you practice a healthy diet and regular exercise, you will be able to pursue a better quality of life" he advised.
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bellho@sportschosun.com
