Female hormone deficiency seriously affects women's health, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer... So what are the causes, symptoms and treatments? Atlantic Medical will help you answer this question through the article below! 

What is female hormone deficiency? 

Female hormone deficiency is a condition in which the concentration of hormones in a woman's body is continuously lower than normal levels, often occurring in sex hormones, especially estrogen. 

Hypogonadism is when the body is going through a natural change, such as menopause. Or sometimes, decreased female hormones are a sign of delayed sexual development, making pregnancy more difficult. 

Causes of female hormone deficiency 

The most common cause of female hormone deficiency is due to physiological problems occurring in the body, such as: 

• Premenopause and menopause: At this stage, the main form of estrogen in the female body changes from estradiol (mainly produced in the ovaries) to estrone (mainly produced in adipose tissue). 
• Pregnancy or lactation period: Estrogen levels during pregnancy gradually increase to nourish the uterus, fetus, mammary glands and create easy conditions for childbirth. After giving birth, both estrogen and progesterone suddenly decrease (along with hormones necessary for breastfeeding such as prolactin and oxytocin, which help increase lactation). 
• Excessive exercise or psychological stress: The body is constantly stressed and not provided with enough nutrients are risk factors for hypothalamic amenorrhea. When there is amenorrhea due to the hypothalamus, the brain does not secrete enough hormones to trigger estrogen production in the ovaries and the menstrual cycle is completely stopped. 
• Eating disorders: Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can cause a loss of nutrients needed to keep hormone levels in the body balanced. 

In addition, some diseases are also causes: 

• Genetic factors: Turner syndrome and Fragile X syndrome are both causes of female hormone deficiency. 
• Autoimmune diseases: Some autoimmune diseases will attack the patient's ovaries and destroy the process of creating estrogen there. 
• Ovariectomy: estrogen is produced mainly by the ovaries, so removing the ovaries causes women to have severe estrogen deficiency. Women after oophorectomy will need to use hormone replacement therapy and/or supplements continuously. 
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer: these methods can injure the ovaries, preventing them from secreting normal amounts of estrogen. 
• Primary ovarian failure (premature menopause): In some people, the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40, resulting in the body going through early menopause, menstrual cycles stopping and infertility. Female hormones are reduced. 

Symptoms of female hormone deficiency 

Female hormone deficiency is manifested by many different symptoms such as: 

• Weight gain, obesity, excess abdominal fat. 
• Dry, wrinkled, sagging skin. 
• Joint pain, weak, brittle, easily broken bones, osteoporosis. 

• The bust is soft and lacking in firmness. 
• Reduces vaginal lubrication, causing the private area to become dry and susceptible to infection. 
• Reduced sexual desire and burning sensation, difficulty achieving pleasure during sex. 
• Menstrual disorders, irregular or amenorrhea, headaches before or during menstruation. 
• Reduced ability to concentrate, fatigue, anxiety, stress, irritability, insomnia... 

• Flushing, sweating a lot at night. 

Symptoms can be different for each woman. According to statistics in the UK, out of every 5 women: 

• 1 person (20%) went through menopause without any symptoms 
• 1 person (20%) experienced mild symptoms 
• 3 people (60%) experienced worse symptoms, affecting their health, quality of life and work.erk 

How is female hormone deficiency treated? 

If you are experiencing signs of female hormone decline, you will surely wonder what medicine you should take? Below, we suggest some methods that may be useful to you. 

Diet and lifestyle 

Establishing a balanced diet and building healthy living habits is one of the best ways to help women improve their hormones. 

Among them, eat enough protein and lots of fiber; avoid sugar and starch; Absorbing safe fats from olive oil, coconut oil, fish, avocado, peanuts, almonds... are the principles you need to keep in mind to build a diet beneficial for people with hormone deficiency. Some foods that help improve hormones you can refer to here. 

On the other hand, to maintain hormonal balance, women also need to exercise regularly, get enough sleep and control stress. 

Therapy for female hormone deficiency 

Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment, especially during perimenopause and postmenopause. This therapy includes 2 types: 

• Estrogen therapy: Depending on the condition, doctors will prescribe the appropriate dose of estrogen, taken in pill form or using patches, gels, sprays... Estrogen therapy reduces the severity of menopausal symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. 
• Estrogen-progesterone/progestin therapy: Also called combination therapy. This therapy combines estrogen and progesterone (or progestin) supplements to balance estrogen activity in the uterus. 

Hormone replacement therapy often brings quick results to users, however, this therapy is not without risks. Research has shown that using long-term therapy (5 years or more) can increase the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer. In addition, some information shows that suddenly stopping the use of hormone replacement therapy can cause a "rebound" phenomenon, causing symptoms to return or even get worse. Therefore, the use or discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy requires a doctor's guidance. 

Improve female hormones with phytoestrogens from plants 

In addition to diet, lifestyle and specific treatment, women can improve their own endocrine health by taking daily supplements. Some types of phytoestrogens from plants include: Fenugreek seed extract (Libiem), isoflavones from soybean sprouts or some types of ginseng... help Reduces manifestations of hormonal insufficiency. You should carefully research supplement products before using them to help solve the problem you encounter effectively and safely. 

Many women ignore or do not care about the symptoms of hormonal decline and consider it an unpleasant part of aging. However, this problem can be prevented or improved if you understand female hormones and listen to your body, thereby improving your health and quality of life. 

If you have any questions, please pick up the phone and contact us immediately via Hotline 0936.236.283 or leave a question.herefor answers and advice from Atlantic Medical's pharmacists.  

Wishing you and your family good health and quality life!