Hormone disorders (endocrinology)
Endocrinology examines hormone disorders. Hormones are chemical substances released into the blood by glands in one part of the body and affecting others - usually widespread effects important to health.

A hormone secreted by part of the brain (the hypothalamus) stimulates a gland at the base of the brain (the pituitary), secreting hormones which stimulate the ovaries (testicles in men) to produce eggs (or sperm) and sex hormones.

These hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, in women induce bodily changes of puberty and sexual function and control menstrual cycles. They have major beneficial effects on skin, bones, arteries, heart and general well-being. In men the sex hormone testosterone achieves effects on pubertal development, strength, sexual performance and well-being.

For a teenage girl, failure of pubertal development and delayed menstruation are deeply distressing and she needs sympathetic help and prompt effective treatment.

After the menopause, oestrogen deficiency can cause troublesome symptoms but there are also longer term risks of osteoporosis and heart disease which can seriously affect the quality of life later in old age.

The reproductive health of men is equally important to us. But we can deal with men only within couples, when there are joint problems of fertility, or repeated miscarriage. or sexual difficulties.

In young women, loss of menstrual periods raises worries about the cause and their potential fertility. But there are wider health risks too, such as osteoporosis (weakening of bones), which need attention. Other hormonal disorders can, for example, cause excessive hair growth and weight gain, which can be extremely upsetting . Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one such condition.

The underlying causes of these disorders vary greatly and their investigation and successful treatment needs specialist knowledge. That is why Reproductive Medicine, to which this centre is dedicated, is recognised as a complete specialty on its own.
 

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