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Female Hormone Panel
The Cyclical Pacing of the Ovaries
The
human ovary releases its hormones in a cyclical manner, which is referred to as
the menstrual cycle. The average cycle is 26-30 days. The timing and pacing of
hormone release is governed by GnRH, FSH and LH, hormones from the hypothalamus
and pituitary glands in the brain. The two major classes of ovarian hormones
released during the menstrual cycle are estrogens and progestogen, also known
as the female steroid sex hormones. The major and most active estrogen released
is estradiol, while the major progestogen is progesterone.
The Female Cycle has Three Physiologic Phases:
1.
The follicular phase starts with the onset of menstrual blood flow and is of
variable length. This phase is normally characterized by both low estrogen and
progesterone output.
2. The ovulatory phase is 1 to 3 days long, and the human ovum (egg) is
released in this phase. This phase is preceded by high estrogen and LH levels.
3. The luteal phase is rather constant in length, 12-14 days, and ends with
menses. In contrast to the follicular phase, the luteal phase is characterized
by high progesterone concentrations and a moderate increase in estrogens.
Functions of Female Sex Hormones
Estradiol
and Progesterone affect several target organs involved in successful conception
and pregnancy. Additionally, these hormones maintain a number of secondary
sexual characteristics, such as reduced body hair, soft skin texture, a higher
voice pitch and possible release of certain pheromones.
Target Organs of Estrogen and Progesterone
The Uterus -
Estradiol prepares the uterus for conception, produces a three-fold to five-fold
increase in the thickness of its inner lining and also promotes uterine gland
development and mucus secretion. Progesterone causes a swelling of the uterine
lining, an increase in glycogen (a complex sugar) content and an increase in
the mucus secreted by the uterus. If conception does not occur, the uterine
lining is shed, resulting in the menstrual flow.
Fallopian tubes - Sex hormones stimulate the Fallopian tubes to move the egg
toward the uterus. The Fallopian tubes also secrete fluids that nourish the
egg, the sperm and ultimately the embryo when fertilization occurs.
Vagina - Estrogens promote the
thickening of the vaginal lining and increase its secretions, which makes the
lining more resistant to infections.
Breasts - Before puberty, the
breasts grow only in proportion to the rest of the body, but under the
influence of estradiol and progesterone during puberty, the breasts develop to
maturity. During the menstrual cycle, excess estradiol causes breast swelling
and tenderness.
Bones - In the adult female,
Estradiol and Progesterone play an important role in the inhibition of
osteoporosis and improve the incorporation of calcium and magnesium into bone.
This is often why doctors prescribe Estrogen for menopausal women.
Kidney - Estrogens cause the
body to retain sodium, which results in fluid buildup. Conversely, progesterone
causes a loss of excess sodium and retained fluid. Before the period begins,
there may be a relative excess of estrogen over progesterone, which commonly
leads to several of the PMS-associated complaints.
Liver - Estradiol has
stimulatory effects on liver proteins which may reduce thyroid hormone
availability and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Estradiol also
slows the process of liver detoxification of various harmful substances.
Miscellaneous -
Estradiol can elevate blood sugar in certain susceptible individuals.
Progesterone can increase the appetite and has a general calming effect on the
nervous system, especially at night.
What We Test
The
Female Hormone Panel is a simple, non-invasive test. Eleven saliva samples are
collected during specified time periods throughout the menstrual cycle.
When using
this panel in routine medical practice, both patients and doctors
can view the profiles of estrogen and progesterone simultaneously. Diagnostic
guesswork is minimized, and hormonal balance evaluation and customized
treatment becomes a reality. In addition, we report the cycle average for
testosterone and DHEA. The expanded panel also includes five FSH and LH
measurements to see if brain control and stimulation of the ovaries are
optimal.
Applications of the Female Hormone Panel
Detection of Luteal Phase Deficit. There are at least three luteal phase-deficit
patterns which are characterized by a progesterone/estrogen imbalance. This
imbalance is usually associated with PMS, infertility, fibroids and other female
hormone-related problems and can be readily detected by our panels.
Hormonal Imbalance and PMS. Many women suffer from hormonal imbalance in the estrogen to
progesterone ratio. Our panels can define the hormonal state with exquisite
accuracy which, in turn, provides specific insights for appropriate intervention
to relieve hormonal imbalance and PMS-related symptoms.
Customized Hormone Therapy. Presently, female hormone therapy is not individualized to the
needs of each woman, because current diagnostic tests do not provide sufficient
data. Consequently, most women are empirically treated without regard to their
individualized physiology and specific needs. The FHP, for the first time, will
allow a clinician to customize therapy to each female patient.
Other Applications
The FHP can also be used
to detect and monitor the following:
· Functional infertility
· Influence of diet, exercise and other lifestyle
factors on the cycle
· Menstrual problems originating in the brain
· Early pregnancy problems, such as spontaneous
miscarriage
· Cycle irregularities, following the use of birth
control pills
· Dysmenorrhea, that is painful and heavy periods
· Migraine headaches
· Cystic ovarian disease
· Early osteoporosis
Advantages of the FHP
Convenience:
Requires no blood draws, therefore no repeat clinic visits, and avoids the
inconvenience of the 24-hour urine collection.
Economy: The fee for the
11-sample test is less than that of two blood determinations or a urine
analysis for estrogen and progesterone.
Physiological accuracy: Research has demonstrated that the free hormone fraction
predominates in saliva. Hormones can be found free or bound to protein. The
free hormone fraction is very important, because it is the bioactive fraction
that most significantly influences living cells. The salivary female hormone
levels correlate at 93% with the free hormones in the tissues.
One
or two blood determinations or a 24-hour analysis of urine for these hormones
gives only an idea of the ovaries’ hormonal productivity. The FHP provides a
view of the ovarian capacity over a whole menstrual cycle.
Do you need the FHP?
To
determine if the FHP is the appropriate test for your hormone-related problems,
consult with your physician or healthcare provider.
· If either infertility or PMS are of concern to
you, ask your doctor about the Expanded Female Hormone Panel.
· Our expanded panel not only reveals any hormonal
imbalances, but also accurately indicates the basis of the problem.
· Hormone balancing is reduced to simple scientific principles using our well-structured report and recommendations.
Click here for a brochure on the female hormone panel.
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