Gynaecological endocrinology

The hormone balance in the body is influenced by many factors such as the genome, body weight, extreme stress and sports, pollutants and the consumption of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, physical and psychological diseases as well as medical drugs.

Therefore, the basic diagnostic work-up for infertile couples includes measuring the female hormone levels in various phases of the menstrual cycle.

By making blood tests in the first days of the cycle, we can detect malfunctions of the thyroid, the pituitary gland (e.g. increased prolactin levels or uncoordinated secretion of the ovary-stimulating hormones FSH and LH) and of the adrenal glands and ovaries (e.g. increased male hormone levels).

Testing the blood for progesterone and oestradiol one week after ovulation can reveal a possible corpus luteum deficiency. Further hormone function tests may sometimes by helpful.

Frequently, a “mere” change of lifestyle is enough to redress the body’s hormonal balance. In addition, there are a number of plant-based and synthetic drugs which can be used to improve the hormonal status so that the woman has a higher chance of getting pregnant.