There are a number of indicators that allow the doctor to evaluate the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus. Deviation from the norm in one direction or another is an occasion for studying the hormonal background of a woman. During pregnancy, some hormones increase, thus providing favorable conditions for bearing a baby, while others, on the contrary, decrease. And everything would have been smooth, if not for the failures that often occur in the body of a woman. As a result, there is a danger to the favorable bearing of the fetus. In our article, we will talk about what happens to a woman who has increased testosterone during pregnancy. In addition, we will definitely point out the reasons for this condition and effective methods to reduce the "male" hormone.
The role of testosterone in the body of a woman
Unlike women, men have more developed muscle muscles, a low voice, and a dense hairline on the skin. All these are signs of the presence of testosterone in the body. The main male hormone plays a leading role in sperm formation and is responsible for the male sex drive.
In a small amount, testosterone is also present in the female body. It is produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex. In women, testosterone is responsible for the constitution of the body, the development of mammary and maturation of the sex glands, and the growth of the musculoskeletal system. Under the power of this hormone, the behavior and psycho-emotional state of each member of the fair sex. It is testosterone that makes a woman attractive in appearance.
This hormone plays an equally important role for the favorable bearing of the fetus. Increased testosterone during pregnancy is the norm, but only if the value of the indicator is within the maximum permissible limits. A blood test will help determine the level of this hormone.
What to do if testosterone is elevated when planning pregnancy?
In a woman, “male” hormone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands in an amount 25 times lower than that of representatives of the strong half of humanity. But even this is quite enough to ensure the growth of follicles, without which it is impossible to mature the egg and normal pregnancy. If the production of the hormone increases, then there is a malfunction in the menstrual cycle. Most often, along with this, a decrease in progesterone is observed, without which the normal functioning of the reproductive system is impossible.
When planning pregnancy, increased testosterone in women requires close attention. Exceeding the concentration of this hormone in the blood can cause abnormal ovulation and an early miscarriage if pregnancy does occur. An analysis to determine the level of testosterone is given on the 6-8th day of the menstrual cycle. According to its results, the doctor will be able to prescribe treatment to adjust the hormonal background.
Norms of testosterone for women in the period of variability
In normal condition, women of reproductive age over 18 years of age, testosterone levels range from 0.31 to 3.78 nmol / L. But in pregnant women, this indicator is usually 3-4 times higher. Moreover, it was noted that in women carrying boys, the concentration of the hormone is higher than in expectant mothers expecting the birth of daughters.
It is difficult to say exactly what exactly should be increased testosterone during pregnancy in the first trimester. Usually the highest concentration of the hormone is observed from 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Interestingly, in cord blood, the quantitative value of testosterone is 1.2 nmol / L. Such a low level of hormone is due to the fact that the placenta itself protects the fetus from the harmful effects of high testosterone.
Reasons to increase the hormone
During pregnancy, various protective structures begin to work actively in the body of a woman. Their task is to prevent the negative effects of hormones on the fetus. But at the same time, they can not completely protect the body from an excess of androgens. The most dangerous is an increase in testosterone for a period of 4-8 and 13-20 weeks. As a result of a sharp increase in the hormone, the threat of abortion increases or the fetus freezes.
There are a number of reasons for the growth of testosterone in the body of a pregnant woman:
- the presence of pathological conditions (adrenal and ovarian tumors, polycystic processes in the genital glands, etc.);
- taking hormonal drugs and oral contraceptives;
- malnutrition;
- genetic factor.
In order to identify increased testosterone during pregnancy and find the reasons for its growth, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. This will allow you to start treatment in a timely manner and prevent negative consequences for the woman and the fetus.
Symptoms of Testosterone Growth
The fact that the "male" hormone is increased in the woman’s body can be assumed even before the blood test. They are visible literally on the face. The following symptoms can be noted that a woman has increased testosterone during pregnancy:
- active growth of hair on the body and their loss on the head;
- dryness and peeling of the skin;
- rashes on the face (acne);
- changes in the figure (shoulders become wider and hips narrower);
- fragility of voice;
- increased libido, up to obsessive sexual desire;
- malfunctions of the menstrual cycle;
- manifestation of unmotivated aggressiveness.
In general, a woman who is diagnosed with hormonal imbalance, outwardly becomes more like a man. Competent treatment will help correct the situation.
What is the danger to the expectant mother and fetus?
Excess testosterone negatively affects not only the appearance of a woman and her psycho-emotional state. If the excess is insignificant, then the pregnant woman can not be very afraid for her position, especially if she is carrying a male child. At the same time, with intensive growth of the hormone, the consequences can be fatal for a woman and a child.
If a blood test showed an increase in testosterone in the early stages of pregnancy, this means that a woman has a high risk of miscarriage, premature birth, miscarriage or freezing of the fetus, as well as the birth of a child with hormonal disorders. That is why it is recommended to identify deviations from the norm at the planning stage.
Getting pregnant with excessive testosterone is possible, although very difficult. The fact is that with an increased level of the hormone, a failure of the cycle occurs, in which ovulation most often does not occur. If this still happened, it will be difficult to bear the fetus, because testosterone blocks the production of progesterone, which is responsible for the consolidation of the egg and placental growth.
Hormone lowering drugs
If pregnancy with increased testosterone has occurred, then all necessary measures should be taken in order to maintain it. With a significant excess of the hormone, which threatens the normal bearing of the fetus, special medications are prescribed:
- "Dexamethasone".
- "Prednisone."
- "Digitalis".
- "Digoxin".
In addition, glucose preparations will help increase the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment. These include "Siofor" or "Glucophage." If treatment is carried out at the planning stage, then the doctor usually recommends taking oral contraceptives (Yarina or Zhanin).
Only the gynecologist-endocrinologist should prescribe the above drugs. Self-medication can harm a child.
Diet for increased testosterone during pregnancy
Nutritionists say that the growth of “male” hormone in a woman’s body depends on nutrition. That is why, to reduce its level, just taking medication may not be enough. Treatment should be comprehensive and high-quality nutrition will help to cope with such a problem as increased testosterone during pregnancy.
Firstly, foods containing animal fats should be excluded from the diet of a woman carrying a baby. Secondly, the basis of the pregnant menu should be vegetables and fruits. The most useful are:
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- greens;
- apples
- grapes;
- cherry;
- dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, raisins).
This may seem strange to many, but sweets should not be abandoned to reduce testosterone, since it has been proven that increasing blood glucose inhibits the production of “male” hormone. But salt intake should be limited to 3 g per day.
What is the danger of increased prolactin during pregnancy?
The hormonal background of a woman plays a major role in the issues of conception, gestation and the birth of a healthy child. If, according to the results of the tests, it is revealed that testosterone and prolactin are elevated, when planning pregnancy, this necessitates therapy and the appointment of appropriate drugs.
In the body of a woman carrying a baby, the growth of both hormones occurs. But for the successful course of pregnancy and childbirth on time, both testosterone and prolactin should be within normal limits. Treatment should be strictly controlled by a doctor, preferably an endocrinologist-gynecologist. With proper prescription of drugs, the hormonal background can quickly be brought back to normal, after which a desired pregnancy may soon occur.