Reproductive/Sexual Hormone Disorders
Reproductive hormones stimulate or control the sexual organs and reproductive systems in both men and women. In women, hormones
including estrogen, progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are vital to menstruation and pregnancy. In men, sexual
hormones are called androgens. The main androgen is testosterone. Usually, our endocrine glands keep our reproductive hormones at
the right levels, but many factors can cause hormone levels to be too high or too low. This can lead to problems with sexual development,
fertility and more. Due to this many reproductive hormone disorders can be upsetting and affect both your physical health and your
emotional well-being.
>>> Low Testosterone or Male Hypogonadism
Testosterone production is highest during puberty and gradually declines after age
30. Besides age, other factors may contribute to low testosterone levels, such as an
injury to the testicles, infection, Type 2 diabetes, medications, obesity, chromosomal
abnormalities, and more. For some men, a decrease in testosterone may cause
symptoms such as a reduced sex drive, depression or erectile problems.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Your doctor can order a blood test to measure your testosterone, luteinizing hormone
and prolactin levels. If you do have low testosterone, hormone replacement therapy
can bring your testosterone levels back to normal. Talk with your physician about the
benefits and risks of testosterone treatment.
>>> Oligospermia
Oligospermia also known as low sperm count, occurs when
males have sperm count that is ffewer than 15 million sperm in
1 mL of semen. This condition may cause infertility, hormonal
imbalance, environmental toxins, hypogonadism, and
blockages that prevents sperm from being released.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of oligospermia includes different tests such as
sperm analysis, urinalysis, testing for genetic disorder, testing
for endocrine system to detect hormonal imbalance, and
ultrasound. In treating this condition, a surgery for removing the
blockage in the sperm ducts maybe required, hormone
supplements, and antibiotic intake.
>>> PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that
develops when a woman’s reproductive hormones become out of
balance. While the ovaries normally make a small number of male
sex hormones (androgens), womenwith PCOS have levels that are
higher than normal. Often, women with PCOS have multiples mall
but harmless cysts on their ovaries.PCOS can interfere with
ovulation. In addition, it can affect the body’s ability to use insulin,
which can eventually lead to diabetes.
Symptoms of PCOS may include:
Acne, Weight gain
Extra facial and body hair with thinning scalp hair
Irregular periods, Infertility, and Depression
Diagnosis and Treatment
For many women with PCOS, lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. Losing weight can help bring the hormones back into
balance. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet also can help with symptoms. If needed, your doctor may recommend birth
control pills or other medications to treat the hormone imbalance and relieve symptoms while you get back to good health.
>>> Amenorrhea
This condition causes the absence of menstruation in females at
the age of 15 (primary amenorrhea) and three or more periods in
a row (secondary amenorrhea). Signs and symptoms include milky
nipple discharge, headache, hair loss, acne, and pelvic pain. Some
causes of this condition are genetic problems, hormonal issues
from the pituitary gland, obesity and underdeveloped reproductive
system.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis may include blood tests, ultarasound, genetic testing,
and MRI. While treating this condition may require doing a diet and
exercise plan recommended by a medical professional,
management of stress, hormonal treatment, and surgery (for
severe cases).
Mechanism of Amenorrhea concerning problems with hormones
References:
 Amenorrhea: Missing your period. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.-a). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3924-amenorrhea
 Oligospermia (low sperm count): Causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.-c).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22477-oligospermia-low-sperm-count. Date Retrieved: February 15, 2024.
 Low testosterone (low T): Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.-b).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism. Date retrieved: February 15, 2024.
 Reddy, S. G., Veronikis, I., Rukhman, N., Senkottaiyan, N., & McGregor, V. (2021). Reproductive/sexual hormone disorders.
Mercy. https://www.mercy.net/service/reproductivesexual-hormone-disorders/. Date Received: February 15, 2024.
********************************
Read and analyze the scenario below and answer the following guide questions.
Anna and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for years but there was no luck. One time, she started to gain weight
and thought that she has become pregnant because her period also got delayed for five straight months. However, the
pregnancy test that she took came back negative. Because of this, her frustration on not having a child made her feel sand and
lonely most of the time.
Guide Questions:
1-2.
Based on the situation above, what is the disorder that Anna is suffering from?
3-4.
Elaborate the hormones that could have been affected by the disorder that Anna has.
5-6.
List the possible things that Anna should do to help her ease the effects of the disorder she has:
Anna’s husband, Jerry, is also frustrated for not being able to have child after years of marriage. Due to this, he also experiences
different spikes in emotions such as sadness and he gets easily irritated. In addition, he got up to the point that the thought of
making a child no longer interests him.
7-8.
Based on the situation above, what is the disorder that Jerry is suffering from?
9-10.
List the possible things that Jerry should do to help her ease the effects of the disorder he has: