OB-GYN
Hormonal and Endocrine Disorders in Women
Our Division of Endocrinology specialists offer the most advanced therapies for endocrine disorders. We’re here to provide you with comprehensive care.
Medically reviewed by Ajay Sood, M.D. on Sep. 05, 2023.
Endocrinologists Ready to Care for You
Endocrine problems can be very complex. Our endocrinologists work closely with specialists in other departments to give you the most comprehensive care available.
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What Are Hormonal and Endocrine Disorders in Women?
You have many hormone-releasing glands in your body that make up your endocrine system. Hormones are chemical signals that tell your body to perform different functions.
Hormones play a role in almost every process in your body. They affect things like energy, fertility, growth, mood, sexual function, sleep and weight.
When your glands make too much or too little of a hormone, you develop an imbalance that can lead to health problems.
Many conditions of your endocrine system affect your hormones. Examples include:
- Adrenal disorder
- Diabetes
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Thyroid disorders
Symptoms of Endocrine Disorders
Symptoms depend on which type of endocrine disorder you have and how bad it is. Symptoms may be different between men and women.
Common Symptoms
You may experience:
- Hair growth changes
- Infertility
- Menstrual changes
- Mood changes
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
- Sexual dysfunction
- Skin changes
- Weight changes
Emergency Symptoms
Get medical help right away if you experience:
- Loss of feeling in limbs
- Muscle weakness
- Sudden or extreme headache
- Very slow or rapid heartbeat
Causes of Hormonal and Endocrine Disorders
Hormone imbalances may cause hormone levels to be too high or too low.
Diseases, Illnesses or Infections
Some diseases can cause endocrine disorders. For example, bacterial meningitis can lead to a pituitary gland disorder. In addition, some autoimmune disorders cause your immune system to attack a gland and impact hormone production.
DNA Changes
Some endocrine disorders are genetic. Examples include some cases of congenital hypothyroidism and multiple endocrine neoplasia I and II.
Injury or Damage
Injury to a gland can cause an endocrine disorder. For example, radiation therapy can damage nearby glands, which then make too much or too little of their respective hormones.
Medications
Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause hormone imbalances.
Tumors
Lesions or tumors of a gland can impact its ability to produce the right amount of hormones.
Treatments for Endocrine and Hormonal Disorders at UC Davis Health
Our Division of Endocrinology includes several physicians with board certifications in internal medicine as well as endocrinology and metabolism. We treat a variety of endocrine disorders in women, and we collaborate closely with our colleagues from other departments.
Your treatment may include more than one therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you have low hormone levels, you may need hormone replacement therapy to bring your levels back to normal.
Lifestyle Changes
Exercise, nutrition and stress management changes may be part of your treatment plan.
Medications
If your hormone levels are too high, you may need medication to lower them. There are also medications for shrinking some types of gland tumors.
Surgery
If you have a growth or tumor on a gland, you may need surgery to remove it. We offer the latest minimally invasive procedures to minimize your recovery time.
An estimated
20MPeople in the U.S. have thyroid disease
Source: American Thyroid Association: General Information/Press Room
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