Hormones are substances released into the bloodstream from a gland in the endocrine system which affects the activity of body cells that control organ functions as a whole (to control growth and development, sexual characteristics, affect the body in the use and storage of energy and controlling the volume of liquid, water and salt levels in the blood). Hormones in very small amounts can trigger the body’s response is very broad. Hormones serve as messengers to coordinate the activities of various organs of the body. Hormones circulating through the bloodstream and body to communicate with the entire body to regulate and maintain homeostasis (balance / stability) in the body via a feedback system that varies from internal biochemical balance of the body to deal with change

Decreased hormone levels in men and women with age. Lack of testosterone can result in the occurrence of erectile dysfunction. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cycle irregularities, Peri-menopause syndrome, etc. due to hormonal imbalance. When headaches during menstruation, may be a sign that hormones are not balanced anymore and hormones send the signal to the glands to try to overcome this (Excerpted from: maca, adaptogens & Hormonal Regulator, Beth M. Ley, Ph.D).

Hormone imbalance can be caused by internal factors (hormonal cycle, genetic disorders, the growth of tumors in the gland, age, etc.) and external (outside the entrance of hormones from the body, either intentionally, for example: the consumption of tablets / creams / injections of hormones, whether or not intentionally, for example: dietary deficiency, pesticide contamination, the modern animal husbandry products, plastic products, carpets, drug use steroid groups, the condition of stress, unhealthy lifestyle and so forth.
Hormonal imbalance will result in the emergence of a variety of health problems such as: menopause, testosterone deficiency in men, erectile dysfunction, lack fertility in men and women, thyroid gland disorders / mumps, hiperandrogen, including a number of problems around menstruation, and so forth.

SOME PROBLEMS RESULTING IN MENSTRUAL Imbalance HORMONE
Menstruation (period) / period / coming months is the bleeding that occurs repeatedly every month (except during pregnancy), occurs in the uterus of a woman because of the decay process of the uterine lining (endometrium). The menstrual cycle is a complex form of balance between body, mind and emotions. Regulated by hormones and the moon – your menstruation cycle can be a source of overall health (helping you to balance your body and emotions and act as a compass for your life) or the source of major discomfort and pain when the hormones that regulate menstrual function that in unequal conditions.

A number of menstrual disorders caused by hormonal imbalance include: premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), irregular menstrual cycles, the volume (too much / little) and the duration (too long / short) abnormal bleeding and other forth.

Premenstrual syndrome ( PMS)
PMS is the physical symptoms, psychological (emotional) and behavior that often occurs in a woman’s menstrual cycle, ie 7 – 14 days before menstruation and will be lost as they start menstruating. PMS generally occurs in women age 14 – 50 years with various symptoms and changes in each woman from month to month. At least 85% of menstruating women experience at least 1 of PMS symptoms (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist). There were identified 180 common symptoms of PMS which includes physical and psychological symptoms, but the most frequently reported are:

Physical symptoms

Psychic Symptoms and Behavior

* Headaches / Migraine
* Breast pain / swollen / hard
* Tired / tired / lethargic (Fatigue)
* Disturbed sleep (Insomnia)
* Stomach cramps / bloating
* Diarrhea / constipation
* Headache
* Joint or muscle weakness / weak
* Backache
* Incurred acne
* Cramping of the bladder
* Swelling of legs and knees
* Limbs leg / knee to swell
* Weight loss rises
* Change of appetite, increased appetite (especially for sweet foods, salty) or decrease
* Easily hurt / anger, mood changes
* Crying a sudden
* Changes libido
* Concentration and memory decline
* Anxiety, depression, aggressive

Causes of PMS
The exact cause of this syndrome’s appearance is unclear, but hormonal factors in women who viewed the body most responsible for the occurrence of PMS. PMS is the result of defective ovulation process caused hormone imbalance. There are several theories about the cause of PMS, including:

* Hormonal factors, namely the imbalance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
* Estrogen Dominant (excessive estrogen hormone) that apart from internal factors also could because xenoestrogen – estrogen that comes out of the body such as the modern farm products, pesticides, plastics, carpets, etc. (Dr. John R. Lee, MD).
* Another theory states that based on the research, the response due to the way PMS estrogen and progesterone (hormones of menstruation) interact with brain chemicals (serotonin)
* Genetic differences in sensitivity of receptors and messenger systems that deliver the sex hormone expenditure in the cell. Another possibility, is associated with disturbances feelings, psychological factors, social problems, or serotonin function experienced by patients.
* Dealing with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels are abnormal / Hypothyroid)
* Dealing with pituitary hormones, prostagalandin, and neurotransmitters in the brain
* Because of lack of intake of vitamin B, calcium and magnesium

Risk-enhancing factors PMS

* Women who have given birth (PMS more weight after giving birth some children, especially if he has experienced a pregnancy with complications such as toksima)
* Marital status (married women have PMS more than that yet)
* Age (STDs more frequently and interfere with age, especially between the ages of 30 to 45 years)
* Stress
* Too much consumption of sugar, salt, coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, dairy products and processed foods
* Lack of nutrients vitamin B (especially B6), vitamin E, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, linoleic fatty acids.
* The habit of smoking and drinking alcohol
* Lack of exercise and physical activity
* Obesity

Source: (Summary On the Net, Dr. Elvina Karyadi, MSc, Nutritionist Comunity, SEAMEO TROPMED UI)

PMDD (premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
Psychological symptoms of PMDD is a more extreme form of PMS, such as the deep sadness felt during PMS even get up the desire to commit suicide. PMDD occurs anywhere in the 3% – 9% of women. “This is a real biological condition in which women who experience it requires special treatment that is effective,”-Jean Endicott, PhD, Director of premenstrual Evaluation Section at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Source: (womenshealth.gov U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health)

Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is pain / cramps that occur at 24 hours before the bleeding period and can be felt for 24 to 36 hours. Dysmenorrhea is divided into 2 types:

1. Primary dysmenorrhea / Menstrual Pain Primer
The cause was uterine contractions because of increased hormone prostaglandin
2. Dysmenorrhea Skunder / Skunder Menstrual Pain
The cause is abnormalities such as endometriosis pregnancy, inflammatory disease in the pubic area cavities, inflammation of the fallopian tube, abnormal perlengketan between organs in the abdomen, the use of IUD

POLIMENORE
Hemorrhage Polimenore is roughly the same or more than normal volume of menstrual bleeding with menstrual cycle length is less than 21 days per cycle. The cause is a hormonal disorder causing interference with the process of ovulation or a shortened luteal phase of menstrual cycle, the dam of the ovary caused by the inflammation / infection, endometriosis

OLIGOMENORE
Bleeding volume Oligomenore is less than normal volume of menstrual bleeding with menstrual cycle length of more than 35 days per cycle.

Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the cessation of / no occurrence of menstrual bleeding, at least 3 months in a row with the menstrual cycle menstrual cycle extends from the classical (oligomenorea).

HIPERMENORE
Is the Hipermenore menstrual bleeding too much and lasted longer than normal (more than 8 days). The cause is a tumor of the uterus (uterine uteri), uterine contraction disorders, endometrial polyps uteri, disorders of the endometrium lining uteri release at the time of menstrual bleeding

HIPOMENORE
Is Hipomenore menstrual bleeding less than usual, but it does not interfere with fertilitasnya. The reason is hormonal endocrine disorders and disorders of the uterus

Excerpted from: Problema Menstruation, dr. H. Hendrik, M. Kes ()