Sex Hormones Flashcards
-arche
onset of
Puberty male secondary sexual characteristics
Deepening of voice
Hair growth
Sweat gland composition - acne
Changes to external genitalia
Puberty female secondary sexual characteristics
Breast development
Hair growth
Sweat gland composition - acne
Changes to external genitalia
Puberty in girls age main marker
8-13 breast development Thearche
puberty in boys age main marker
9-14 testicular volume
adrenarche happens about — years before onset of puberty
2
Amenorrhoea
absence of periods
no periods for 3-6 months or less than 3 a year
Oligo-amenorrhoea
irregular or infrequent >35 days
4-9 cycles per year
Follicular phase
FSH rises, follicles start to grow
Produce E2 and inhibin B - neg feedback of FSH
Only dominant follicle survives - less FSH dependant
Follicular phase (pre-ovulatory phase)
Dominant graafian follicle E2 increasing switch to +ve feedback by E2 Induces LH surge Ovulation
Luteal Phase
Corpus luteum formed
Produces progesterone and oestradiol
Hormone released by embryo to support corpus luteum
b-HCG
Continuous non-pulsatile administration of GnRH leads to
decreased LH/FSH secretion
GnRH pulsatility during follicular phase
90-120 mins
GnRH pulsatility during luteal phase
180-240 mins due to negative feedback effect of progesterone
Pathophysiology and detection of primary hypogonadism
Low E2 / testosterone
Reduced neg feedback to pituitary and hypothalamus
Therefore increase LH/FSH levels in blood.
Causes of primary hypogonadism male
infection
trauma
cancer of testes
Causes of primary hypogonadism female
Menopause - also low inhibin since reduced no of gametes
especially high FSH
if was to do with sex steroids then higher LH
Detection of secondary hypogonadism
Low or normal (should be increased if sex hormones are low anyway) LH/FSH
in the presence of low E2/testosterone
Causes of secondary hypogonadism
pituitary tumour
high prolactin
Menopause symptoms
Lack of Estradiol Skin dryness / Hair thinning Hot flushes / sweating / sleep disturbance Mood Osteoporosis Sexual dysfunction Weight gain Amenorrhoea / irregular in leading up to menopause
Treatment of menopause
Oestrogen replacement
Add progesterone to reduce risk of endometrial hyperplasia / cancer (growing too much due to oestrogen)
AMH level shows
Ovarian reserve (how many eggs left)
Menopause age
45-55
mean 51
before 40 is premature
