Endocrinology Services
Endocrinology is the study of hormone producing
glands in the body and their irregularities. At
Penn Fertility Care, we evaluate, diagnose, manage
and treat the complex interactions of gland disorders
and their effects on menstrual and reproductive
function. To optimize care, our reproductive endocrinologists
(REI) work in collaboration with world-renowned
medical endocrinologists at the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania.
A reproductive endocrinologist is a physician
who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and
who manages problems related to the reproductive
glands or organs. Often, diseased non-reproductive
glands can affect reproductive function.
Penn Fertility Care treats the following glandular
conditions that may commonly alter normal reproductive
function. They are:
- Adrenal – The gland that produces
male hormones which, when found in excess, may
lead to fertility problems in both men and women.
Elevated levels of androgens may be found in
women with polycystic ovaries, or with a tumor
in the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or ovary.
- Hypothalamus - A part of the brain,
the hormonal regulation center, located adjacent
to and above the pituitary gland. In both the
man and the woman this tissue secretes GnRH
every ninety minutes or so. The pulsatile GnRH
enables the pituitary gland to secrete LH and
FSH, which stimulate the gonads.
- Thyroid - The endocrine gland in the
front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones
to regulate the body's metabolism. Both hyperthyroidism
and hypothyroidism can cause menstrual disturbances
and fertility problems.
- Hyperthyroidism - Occurs when the
thyroid gland produces too much hormone.
The resulting increased metabolism "burns
up" estrogen too rapidly and interferes
with ovulation.
- Hypothyroidism - Occurs when the
thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone.
The resulting lowered metabolism interferes
with the normal breakdown of "old"
hormones and causes lethargy. Men will suffer
from a lower sex drive and women will suffer
from elevated prolactin and estrogen, both
of which can interfere with fertility.
Amenorrhea
A condition such as amenorrhea, when a woman does
not get her period, can be caused by the dysfunction
of various endocrine organs. For example, a woman
with low body fat may not have regular periods
due to the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
failing to release (a pulsating release) in her
body. This can cause periods to stop. Pituitary
tumors which raise prolactin levels or certain
medications which raise prolactin levels can also
cause amenorrhea. In addition, an aging ovary
may cause amenorrhea.
There are procedures available to help many endocrine-related
conditions. Penn Fertility Care can evaluate thyroid
functions with modern blood analysis, evaluate
hypothalamic pituitary function with the newest
radiologic procedures such as MRI, and evaluate
ovarian function with estrogen and gonadtropin
levels.
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