Patient's question:
Traditional Chinese medicine, because the condition did not improve, was stopped. Should I continue taking it? Is there hope that my illness can be cured?Doctor's answer:
Hello, endocrine disorders can be cured.Impact 1: Irregular menstruation
Women usually have a consistent menstrual flow each month. If the amount varies significantly, it is likely due to endocrine disorders, leading to excessively high or low estrogen secretion by the ovaries, resulting in irregular menstrual flow. Dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea are often associated with endocrine disorders.
Impact 2: Infertility
Some women, despite having normal sexual activity for years after marriage, remain unable to conceive. When they visit the hospital, doctors advise them to first regulate their endocrine system. The underlying cause may be that endocrine disorders disrupt the brain's ability to regulate hormones, or that damaged endometrium fails to respond properly to female hormones, reflexively affecting endocrine regulation and reducing the chances of successful conception.
Impact 3: Breast issues
Breast tenderness and hyperplasia are primarily caused by endocrine disorders. The main role of the breast is to promote growth and development through estrogen secretion. When endocrine balance is disrupted, it can easily lead to hyperplasia and breast cancer.
Impact 4: Skin
The most common skin problem caused by endocrine disorders is acne. Women with menstrual irregularities are more prone to breakouts. This is because during their period, male hormone levels increase or their effects become stronger, leading to excessive sebum production, blocked facial pores, and persistent acne.
Impact 5: Body hair
Regardless of gender, the endocrine system produces and releases both male and female hormones. Men have higher levels of male hormones, while women have lower levels, resulting in their respective characteristics. However, when endocrine disorders occur, excessive male hormone secretion in women may lead to hirsutism.
Endocrine disorders and obesity:
Endocrine disorders affect fat metabolism, which is why some people gain weight even with minimal food intake. Those with balanced endocrine systems are less likely to become overweight.
Early graying:
Premature graying may also be linked to endocrine issues.
Premature aging:
Endocrine disorders, especially the reduction in sex hormone secretion, are significant factors in human aging.
Cancer:
Endocrine hormones regulate the metabolism and function of organs and tissues, which is directly related to the pathological process of cancer. Many cancers in women stem from endocrine disorders.
Why do endocrine disorders affect you?
Physiological factors:
The hormones of the body's endocrine glands maintain physiological balance, but these growth regulators tend to become disrupted with age. This is why endocrine issues are less common in younger individuals but require more attention as one ages. Some people inherit endocrine disorders.
Nutritional factors:
The body needs sufficient and appropriate nutrition to maintain normal physiological functions. Otherwise, endocrine problems may arise.
Emotional factors:
Mental stress is also a significant factor. We face pressure from various aspects of life, and each type of stress requires full mental effort to cope, making it difficult to fully relax. This tension and emotional changes reflect on the nervous system, disrupting hormone secretion, leading to what is commonly known as endocrine disorders.
Environmental factors:
Severe environmental pollution is also to blame for endocrine disorders in women. Chemical substances in the air, after entering the body through various channels, undergo chemical reactions that disrupt endocrine balance, causing menstrual irregularities, endometrial hyperplasia, and other issues in women.
Regulating endocrine disorders:
Adopt a healthy lifestyle, establish regular living habits, ensure adequate nutrition and sleep, and consume more high-protein and vitamin-rich foods such as grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Avoid overexertion and excessive excitement, maintain a positive mood, and prevent negative emotions from affecting the endocrine system.
Preventing infections:
Avoid purchasing plastic household items and minimize exposure to environmental hormones. Seek medical attention promptly and use both Western and Chinese medicine for regulation.
Western medicine guidance:
For endocrine disorders, Western medicine's guiding principle is to regulate the endocrine system to restore balance. Depending on the cause, symptoms, constitution, and severity, different approaches are taken. For hyperfunction caused by excessive hormone secretion, the principle is to suppress or reduce it, which may involve surgical removal of endocrine tumors or medication to inhibit hormone secretion and synthesis. For disorders caused by insufficient hormone secretion, the principle is to supplement the deficiency, including physiological hormone replacement and organ transplantation.
Traditional Chinese medicine advice:
From a TCM perspective, endocrine disorders are a manifestation of yin deficiency, caused by blood stasis. When stagnant blood remains in the body, meridians are obstructed, and external toxins may invade, leading to conditions like postpartum lochia retention. Many common female diseases are actually caused by endocrine disorders. Therefore, treating these conditions requires regulating the endocrine system to ensure smooth blood flow, nourish the body with essence and blood, promote circulation, and achieve comprehensive regulation from the inside out.
According to the principle of TCM syndrome differentiation, for hyperfunction, more attention should be paid to nourishing yin. For hypofunction, symptoms often include blood deficiency and kidney deficiency, typically treated with blood-boosting, qi-tonifying, and kidney-tonifying therapies to improve the condition.