sex hormones 1&2 Flashcards
what are sex hormones?
they are all steroid hormones
how are sex hormones synthesized?
by cholesterol
are male and female hormones present in both genders?
yes in all adults
the female body contains lower levels of testosterone and other androgen
the male body contains low levels of oestrogen
what are the male sex homrones?
androgens
testosterone the primary male sex hormone is an androgen
what produces testosterone?
mainly leydig cells of the testes and to a lesser extend the adrenal glands produce testosterone and other androgen
when do leydig cells become active?
after birth they become quiescent until activated by gonadropins during puberty
at puberty androgens cause the sex hormones to grow and cause secondary characteristics to develop
how does testosterone get secreted/produced?
hypothalamus secretes GnRH
GnRH goes via hypothalamo-pituitary portal vesseks
the anterior pituitary secretes FSH and LH
LH caueses leydig cells to produce testosterone
FSH causes sertoli cells to stimulate speromatogenesis
sertoli cells produce inhibin with produces a negative feedback only on FSH
tesosterone produces a negative feedback on LH and GnRH
What stimulates erythropoietin secretion by the kidneys?
testosterone
what are the dominant female sex hormones?
oestrogen and progesterone- produced by the ovaries
when is hormone production low in females?
during foetal development, infancy and childhood
at puberty it is high- sexual development
when are these female sex hormones at the highest?
these hormones are produced in higher level during pregnancy
how and why is andorgen produced in females?
androgen are produced in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenals and also have important functions in women
what are some of the other effects of oestrogen?
stimulates growth of ovary follices
stimulates growth of smooth musle and proliferation of epithelial linings of preproductive tract
stimulates external genitalia growth
stim breast growth
sexual development
stim fluid sex from lipid producing skin glands
stim bone growth and ultimate cessation of bone growth
vascular effects
has feedback on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland
stimulayes prolactin secretion but inhibits prolactin’s producing milk-inducing action on the breasts
protects against atherosclerosis by effects on plasma cholesterol, blood vessels and blood clotting
what are the other effects of progesterone?
converts oestrogen- ready for inplantation
induces thick, sticky cervical mucus
decreases contraction of fallopian tubes and myometrium
decreases proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells
stimulates breast growth, particularly glandurlar tissue
inhibits milk inducing effects of prolactin
has feedback effects on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
increases body tem
how does the female reporoductive system work?
hypothalamus secretes GnRH -
anterior pit releases FSH AND LH
this stimulates ovaries to produce oestorgen and testosterone
what role does FSH have in the female reproductive cycle?
ovarian follicel matures and secretes oestrogen
uterine lining thickens
what role does LH have in the female reporductive system?
triggers ovulation
the follicular cells become corpus luteum which secretes progesterone
lining more vascular and glandular
what are the different types of contraception?
coitus interrupts rhythm method- absense at ovulation mechanical barriers chemical barriers oral/injectible/insertable contraceptives contraceptive implants transdermal contraceptives IUD surgical method
what are some of the advantages of COC?
reliable and reversible
reduced dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia
reduced indidenced of premenstrual tension
less symptomatic fibroids and functional ovarian cysts
less benign breast disease
reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer
reduced risk of pelvic inflamatory disease
what is a monophasic COC?
fixed amount of an oestrogen and a progestogen in each active tablet
what is a bi/tri/quadraphasic COC?
varying amounts of the two hormones according to the stage of the cycle
what are the two types of oestrogen used in combined ?
ethinyl estadiol and mestranol
what is mestranol?
it is a prodrug that is converted in vivo to ethinyl estradiol
what is the usual oestrogen content of ethinylestradiol?
20-35ug
what are the different types of progestogen?
first- norethisterone- NET
second- levonorgestrel-lgn
3rd- desogestrel, gestodene, norgestimate
new/other: drospirenone, dienogest, nomegestrol acetate
how is a COC chosen?
chosen with the lowest oestrogen and progestogen content
well tolerated=good control
usually 21 days and 8 pill-free days- withdrawl bleed
how does the COC work?
oestrogen inhibits secretion of FSH via negative feedback on the anterior pituitary and thus suppresses development of the ovarian follicle
progestogen inhibits secretion of LH and thus prevents ovulation; it also makes the cervical mucus less suitable for the passage of sperm
they work in combination to alter the endometrium in such a way as to discourage implantation
how does the COC work on different parts of female reporductive system?
fallopian tuve- progestogen inhibits motility, oestrogen enhances motility causing abnormal reates of ovum transport
ovary- oestrogen inhibits ovulation by blocking gonadotrophin surge;progestogen much weaker but has same effect
endometrium- sustained levels of oestrogen or progestogen cause asynchromous development less receptive to implantation
cevical mucus- progestogen causes secretion of thick vuscoid mucus hostile to sperm
what are common s/e of COC?
weight gain
mild nausea, flushing,dizziness, depression or irritability
amenorrhoea of variable duration on cessation of taking the pill
dec breast milk prod
what are some C/I of COC?
vte
major surgery with prolonged immobilisation
ATE
TIA
history of migrane with aura
hiigh risk of thromboembolism
presence or history of severe hepatic disease as long as liver function values have not returned to normal
presence or history of liver tumours
known or suspected sex-steroid malignancies
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
hypersensitivity to active substances or to any of the excipients
what is the causes of abdominal pain with COC?
gallstones, blood clot, pancreatitis
what does POP contain?
one active ingredient- progestogen- norethisterone or levonoregestrel
how should a POP be taken?
taken continuously- no break
offered as alt when oestrogens are c/i
what are some of the advantages of POPs?
alt to oestrogens
can be used at any age
useful in smokers and those 35 years and over
may help with premenstrual symptoms and painful periods
can be used in breastfeeding
when should you start a POP?
started on the first day of menses and taken at same time each day
what is the mechanism of action of POP?
mainly acts on cervical mucus which is made in hospitable to sperm
progestogen probably also hinders implantation through its effect on the endometrium of the fallopian tubes
what are the C/I for POPs?
active venous thromboembolic disorder
presence or history of sever hepatic disease as long as liver function values have not returned to normal
known/suspected sex-steroid malignancies
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
allergic to peanut or soya
what is levonelle 1500?
also called one step
it is a EHC
contains high dose progesterone-levonorgestrel
taken up to 72 hours after upsi
preferbly within 12 hours
prevents ovulation- not effective once implantation has begun
how does ulipristal acetate 30mg work?
high affinity to the progesterone receptir
m/a- delay of ovulation via suppression of the LH surge
it is able to postpone follicular rupture in some women
up to 120 hours after UPSI
another taken if vomiting occurs within 3 hours
what is menopause?
it is a biological stage in a woman’s life that occurs when she stops menstruating and reaches the end of her natural reproductive life
usually when a woman has not has a period for 12 consecutive months
what are the changes associated with menopause that occur in a womans body?
the ovaries stop maturing eggs and stop secreting oestrogen and progesterone
what is perimenopause?
woman has irregular cycles of ovulation leadung up to menopause and continuing until 12 months after her final period- i.e. the transition period
what are the symptoms that occur in menopause?
hot flushes vaginal dryness atrophy of breasts depression loss of libido loss of self esteem weight gain
what is vasomotor and urogenital?
vasomotor- hot flushes, night sweats, formicatin
urogenital- dry vagina, atrophic baginitis, dyspareunia, local microtrauma, incontinence
what changes occur in elacticity of the skin and support tissues in menopause?
loss of elasticity of skin and support tissues- worsening prolapse, loss of breast tissue, wrinkling
what effect does menopause have on the bones?
may cause osteopenia/ osteoporosis
what causes hot flushes?
oestrogen withdrawl affects the central- adrenergic system. this causes release of catecholamines and prostaglandins that produce hot flushes
LH is released coincoided to hot flushes
what are some hot flush triggers?
cigarette smoking alcohol caffine stress heat hot spicy foods exercise
what happens to fsh at the menopause?
at the menopause ovaries no longer respond to FSH
what advice would you give for menopause lifestyle planning?
diet exercise stop smoking interpersonal relationshops stress relief and relacation holistic approach
when is hormone replacement therapy given?
normally given to women who have intact uterus either alone or in combination with progesterone