Female hypogonadism: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. Doctor has many years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

1. Causes of female hypogonadism

There are many factors thought to cause hypogonadism in women. The main causes can be mentioned as follows:
1.1 Physical factors Physical conditions such as female arthritis, urinary and bowel disease, previous pelvic surgery, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis hard ... can be the cause of hypogonadism .
Women use certain drugs such as antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, chemotherapy drugs can be the cause of sexual decline.
1.2 Hormone Low estrogen levels after menopause, perimenopause, during breastfeeding can lead to vaginal dryness, affecting sex drive.
1.3 Psychological and social anxiety and depression can be a major contributor to sexual dysfunction in women. Long-term stress and anxiety before, during and after pregnancy, childbirth, long-term conflicts with husbands, partners or other social factors act to reduce sexual interest in women.

2. Risk factors for female hypogonadism

Along with that, risk factors, or women with these factors have an increased risk of hypogonadism, including:
Anxiety, depression Heart disease, liver, kidney disease Diseases neurological problems such as a spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis Taking certain medications such as antidepressants, high blood pressure medications Ever been sexually abused Emotionally, psychologically stressed, especially in relationships contact with partners.

3. Symptoms of female hypogonadism

3.1 Systemic symptoms There is a change in appearance in the skin of the face, neck, gray hair, sagging breasts, buttocks, thighs, Physiological changes, irritability, anger, anxiety, mood swings Change nervous system changes, symptoms of insomnia, depression, forgetfulness, slow nervous reflexes, incorrect autonomic nervous system disorders, hot flashes, fatigue, excessive sweating Osteomalacia , Osteoporosis

Joint inflammation, pain, frequent aches and pains, metabolic disorders leading to atherosclerosis, diabetes Cardiovascular system disorders with high blood pressure, or angina, myocardial infarction, Urinary system disorders with symptoms of menstrual disorders, urinary tract infections, appendicitis... 3.2 Symptoms of sexual and reproductive disorders Women reduce sex drive Decrease vaginal mucus secretion, dry vagina, cause pain, loss of interest in sex Ovulation disorders, reduced or no ability to have children

4. How to diagnose female hypogonadism?

When having the above symptoms, women need to see an obstetrician and gynecologist for diagnosis, conclusion and appropriate treatment for the condition.
Women need a gynecological examination to comprehensively check for possible lesions that affect sexual ability. Lesions in genital tissue, reduced skin elasticity, scarring will affect fertility.
Accordingly, the conditions of female gonadal deficiency, sexual dysfunction in women can be divided into the following categories:
Low sexual desire: Decreased libido or lack of sex Sexual stimulation disorders: Difficulty or inability to arouse, maintain arousal during sexual activity Orgasmic disorders: Difficulty in prolonging, recurrent orgasms with adequate sexual arousal, Persistent arousal Painful sexual disorder : Pain associated with sexual arousal.

5. How to treat female hypogonadism?

5.1 Treatment with estrogen-containing drugs: Estrogen chemotherapy is the form of treatment used to treat female hypogonadism. In the form of a vaginal cream, ring or pill use improves sexual function, elasticity, increases vaginal blood flow, enhances lubrication during sex.
Androgen includes the male hormone testosterone which has an important function in female sexual function. Topical testosterone supplements or the use of oral estrogen combination pills help treat female hypogonadism. With this method needs to be monitored and adjusted by the treating doctor regularly. Females will have side effects of using testosterone such as acne, hirsutism, personality changes...
This hormone therapy does not address sexual problems that have a non-hormonal cause.
5.2 Non-pharmacological treatment Besides medication, female hypogonadism can be treated with behavioral therapy. Specifically, addressing and improving sexual health by increasing communication with partners and following a healthy lifestyle.
Couples discuss, listen to create harmony in sex is an effective way to solve female hypogonadism. Along with that is creating healthy living habits such as avoiding alcohol, stimulants, not smoking, exercising regularly, improving physique, mood, relieving daily stress.
Couples need to seek advice from counselors, therapists about sex problems, relationships. Commonly used treatments include education on how to optimize the body, sexual response, ways to increase intimacy with a partner, reading materials, and couples practice.
Exercises with movements to increase blood circulation in the lower abdomen, walking straight on the buttocks, sitting on anvil-style legs, lying on your back, arms crossed, sitting up ... are also effective treatments for in women with hypogonadism.
Women with symptoms of hypogonadism need to be examined and treated promptly and appropriately. At Vinmec International General Hospital, with a team of doctors, psychologists will help treat female hypogonadism effectively.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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Signs of declining estrogen - what happens when estrogen drops? Normal levels of testosterone and estrogen in women What happens when a woman has low testosterone?