Hormonal Imbalance
and Female Infertility

Hormonal imbalance problems are intricately linked to problems with your menstrual cycle. They can affect your fertility and cause other health problems as well.

Here are some problems caused by hormonal imbalances:

• Malfunction of your Pituitary and thyroid glands:

  Your Pituitary and Thyroid glands produce important hormones that regulate your body's various systems. A malfunction in either one of these glands will disrupt your menstrual cycle directly or indirectly, causing female infertility.

  Pituitary gland - One of its functions is to produce a sufficient amount of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to stimulate follicle growth in your ovaries and get them to start maturing eggs in preparation for ovulation. If there is insufficient FSH, the ovaries will not be able to produce eggs and thus causes female infertility.

  Thyroid gland- Your thyroid hormones are very important not only to your ability to conceive, but to your overall well-being. They help regulate the other hormones in your body. If you have a thyroid problem, treatment should be sought immediately because your baby may suffer damages during pregnancy.

  Fortunately, hormonal problems are easily diagnosed with blood tests.

  Treatment for infertility caused by a hormonal problem is by fertility drugs to induce ovulation.

• Hyperprolactinemia:

  This is a condition when your body produces an excessive amount of Prolactin that affect your ability to menstruate and ovulate normally. The symptom is having milk leaking from the breasts. If you're having this symptom, do consult a doctor immediately.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

  PCOS is a multi-system hormonal disorder, caused by an excessive production of Androgens which interfere with the balance and function of the other hormones in your body.

  Besides Estrogen and Progesterone, your ovaries also produce a certain amount of Androgens, which is a type of male hormone. Female infertility can result if Androgens is produced in excess. Though you can still develop eggs in your ovaries, you can't ovulate. This can lead to the formation of cysts and lesions in the ovaries where your eggs can never be relased. This can stop your menstrual cycles altogether.

  PCOS comes with symptoms like irregular or occasional heavy periods, obesity, acne, and hair growth on the face, chest or arms. In older women, PCOS may have a link with insulin resistant diabetes.

  If you're overweight with PCOS, losing weight with proper exercise and weight management may help restore your hormone balance and periods. You'll also need other medications to help regulate your menstrual cycle.