| What are glandular problems? | | | | glands, is found in the neck inferior to the thyroid |
| Primary glands are involved in producing reproductive | | | | cartilage, i.e. just below the "Adam's apple." |
| hormones in women. Hormonal imbalances are | | | | Hypothyroidism, in which an underactive thyroid gland |
| sometimes traced back to glandular problems rather | | | | can cause excessive levels of the hormone prolactin, |
| than a surgical procedure such as a tubal ligation or | | | | can inhibit ovulation. |
| tubal reversal. | | | | * Pituitary: The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is about |
| Primary glands include the hypothalamus, thyroid and | | | | the size of a pea and weighs 0.5 g. Its location is at |
| pituitary glands. These glands are constantly sending | | | | the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the |
| signals in order to maintain the balance of hormones | | | | brain. The pituitary fossa, in which the pituitary gland |
| in the body. Having a problem with any one of these | | | | resides, is located in the sphenoid bone in the middle |
| primary glands in a woman's body could upset the | | | | cranial fossa at the base of the brain. The pituitary |
| natural balance of the reproductive hormones | | | | gland secretes hormones for homeostasis, including |
| estrogen and progesterone. | | | | tropic hormones that stimulate other endocrine |
| Primary glands | | | | glands. It is functionally connected to the |
| * Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small region | | | | hypothalamus by the median eminence, and rests in a |
| at the bottom of the brain. The hypothalamus is | | | | small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural |
| responsible for two major jobs. The first are | | | | fold (diaphragma sellae). Microscopic tumors or |
| metabolic processes like controlling body | | | | prolactinomas on the pituitary gland can release the |
| temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and circadian | | | | hormone prolactin, which may cause infertility by |
| cycles. The second is control of the Autonomic | | | | interfering with ovulation. |
| Nervous System. Hypothalamic-releasing hormones | | | | In some cases hypothyroidism is observed as a |
| are also responsible for stimulating or inhibiting the | | | | postoperative symptom of a surgical procedure on |
| secretion of pituitary hormones. These | | | | the brain, but not with minor procedures like a tubal |
| Hypothalamic-releasing hormones can be affected by | | | | ligation or a tubal reversal. Tubal reversal (tubal |
| birth control pills, stress, and some disease or | | | | reanastomosis) is a surgical procedure that restores |
| medications. | | | | the function of the fallopian tubes after a tubal |
| * Thyroid: The thyroid, one of the largest endocrine | | | | ligation. |