What not to do when taking hormonal drugs. Hormonal drugs: list, purpose, description and prices

Content

You have to take medications that contain natural or artificial hormones for various reasons, and more often women do it. We drink them when we are afraid of getting pregnant or, on the contrary, we really want to conceive a child, and the hormones also help cope with menopause, acne and even cancer. However, many ladies are still afraid of this terrible word, depriving themselves of many opportunities. When are hormonal pills appropriate? Let's look at the important points.

Effect of hormonal pills

The vast majority of processes occurring in the body in one way or another involve hormones produced by glands and responsible for both metabolism in general and many individual functions, such as growth, reproduction, and the processing of substances. The human body constantly monitors the presence of hormones in the blood and, if there is a lack of them, tries to increase production, which means a change in the function of the gland. With the help of hormonal pills, you can restore balance in the functioning of the systems.

Contraceptive drugs have an effect on the body as a whole. Long-term use of these pills reduces the risk of cancer by about 50 percent. In addition, hormones help make the cycle in the female body more regular, and the periods themselves often become less unpleasant. The drugs also help in eliminating acne, which is often a sign of hormonal imbalance.

Indications and contraindications

Hormones are prescribed in different situations, but the main points are:

Endocrine diseases.
Deficiency in the production of hormones by the body (drugs are used for stimulating effects to restore the previous hormonal balance, often this is done to normalize the menstrual cycle in the body and restore the ability to conceive a child).
Problems with the female reproductive system (hormonal substances normalize the menstrual cycle, stop dysfunctional bleeding from the uterus, promote ovulation, and bring the body to the hormonal balance required for conception).
Mastopathy or fibroids (to reduce the rate of cell division in the mammary glands and uterus).
Contraception.
Acne, pimples.
Menopause (to restore balance in the body and prevent the occurrence of arterial hypertension, osteoporosis and other problems).

There are also general contraindications, here they are:

Smoking.
Increased blood clotting.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Excess weight.
Liver and kidney failure.
Migraines with focal neurological symptoms.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Increased risk of blood clots.
Hormone-dependent diseases.
Oncology.
Vaginal bleeding.
Diabetes.
Pancreatitis.

Side effects

Hormones can cause side effects in the body that include unwanted hair growth, skin problems and more. When taking birth control, they can range from unpleasant discharge and swelling of the mammary glands to allergic reactions, and you can also gain weight dramatically. Immediate withdrawal of the drug often does not have the desired effect, since the effects of hormones can be prolonged and the body will take some time to return to normal.

Types of hormonal pills

The drugs are divided into groups of hormones:

glands of the adrenal cortex, which include glucocorticosteroids, used to combat allergies and inflammation, and also as painkillers.
The thyroid gland is used if it produces them in small quantities or, conversely, too much.
sexual, which include androgens, estrogens, gestagens.
anabolic drugs.
pituitary gland, such as oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin.
pancreas, one of which is insulin.

Use of hormonal drugs

Hormonal drugs are used in cases where the human body is not able to independently provide itself with the required amount of hormones. This therapy is called replacement therapy, since the patient is forced to resort to it for a long time, which can often extend throughout the remaining years. Medicines containing glucocorticoids are used to combat allergies.

Contraceptives

Contraceptives are one of the surest ways to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Their method of action is the influence of female hormones on the reproductive system in order to prevent ovulation and conception. The choice of drug should be made by a gynecologist; when using an incorrectly selected contraceptive, many health problems may arise, including liver disease and vein thrombosis. Let's look at which birth control pills are the most popular:

"Diana is 35." This is an oral contraceptive with a low hormone content. In addition to direct contraception, it is used to treat seborrhea, problems with high levels of male hormones in the female body, acne and polycystic ovary syndrome. The drug affects ovulation, protecting against unwanted pregnancy. After stopping taking the hormonal drug, the girl can become pregnant again.
"Lindynet 20". A modern means of the latest generation of contraceptives. These tablets contain completely insignificant hormonal doses, which reduces the side effects to nothing. Already after three months of taking the drug, normalization of the cycle is noted, menstruation becomes less unpleasant. The likelihood of endometriosis, uterine or ovarian cancer, and mastopathy is reduced.
"Jess." Birth control pills are an effective remedy in the fight against acne and oily facial skin, since they counteract male sex hormones. Gynecologists often prescribe Jess contraceptive pills to girls over the age of 14 in order to combat acne and eliminate particularly painful menstruation. The peculiarity of the hormonal drug is that it cannot affect weight in any way.
"Regulon". This drug contains gestagen and ethinyl estradiol, which jointly act on the pituitary gland; the hormones make cervical mucus thicker and ovulation more difficult, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus and fertilization.
"Janine." The tablets, which are a monophasic combined contraceptive, contain gestagen and ethinyl estradiol, which thicken the cervical mucus and affect ovulation, preventing sperm from fertilization.
"Midiana". It is an oral contraceptive based on drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, which affect the endometrium. Suppresses ovulation and prevents egg fertilization.

Estrogens

The level of estrogen hormones is significantly higher in women. There are three types:

estrone, produced during menopause;
estradiol, produced by all women of reproductive age;
estriol, produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

But sometimes the level of estrogen does not correspond to the norm, this happens due to bleeding, problems with bearing a child, infertility, the presence of tumors in the reproductive system and breasts. The following drugs are classified as estrogens:

"Dermestril." Contains estradiol and is used during menopause, eliminating hot flashes, postmenopausal osteoporosis, urogenital atrophy, problems with sleep and mood.
"Divigel". It has estradiol as an active substance. This drug is distinguished by its beneficial effect on the development of specific female organs, such as the fallopian tubes and mammary ducts. It has a positive effect on the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and normalizes menstruation. In large doses, the hormone can reduce lactation and produce endometrial hyperplasia.

Thyroid gland

Levothyroxine sodium and triiodothyronine are thyroid hormones. If their level in the body decreases, this leads to consequences such as atherosclerosis, decreased cognitive function, excess weight gain, and anemia. In the absence of diagnosis and treatment, problems with the thyroid gland can arise even in young people and result in dysfunction of other organs, apathy, and loss of strength.

Thyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone. After passing through the kidneys and liver, it affects the growth and development of tissues in the body, as well as metabolism in general. Thyroxine affects the metabolism of fats and proteins, increases oxygen consumption, and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. With increased doses and long-term use, it affects the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

How to take hormonal pills correctly

If the doctor decides to prescribe hormones, do not argue, but listen. He will prescribe a course of examinations to make sure that the hormonal drug can be taken and there will be no harm to the body, and then he will determine the dosage. If you are going to take birth control, then consult a gynecologist. Having done a hormone test and found out which one is missing, the doctor will be able to prescribe a remedy. The gynecologist also examines the breasts for the presence of cancer, since hormonal drugs are not prescribed for tumors.

How to take contraceptives? In a certain order, once a day, for relief, the days of the week are indicated on the blister; it will be difficult to make a mistake or miss a dose. The first tablet should be taken on the 1st day of menstruation or on the 5th, if it was not possible earlier. You shouldn’t do this later, as there will be a risk of getting pregnant. Don't forget or skip your daily intake. One blister is designed for a month, there are tablets for continuous use, and there are tablets for 21 days (with a break of a week).

For breast enlargement

It is considered undeniable that the shape and size of female mammary glands depend on genetic factors. At the same time, we should not forget that the female hormone estrogen influences the female breast. Some hormonal pills affect its production, which leads to changes in size. This effect is exerted by prolactin, which acts on estrogen receptors in the breast, and progesterone, which promotes the growth of mammary tissue.

Taking hormonal medications requires a careful approach; only your doctor will tell you what dosage you need. So, there are hormones that you can take 4 times a day with an interval of 4 hours. It is worth noting that it would not be superfluous to use a special cream to enlarge the bust; in addition, taking such drugs requires careful attention to the diet. In order not to lead to the production of testosterone, you should forget about sweets and starchy foods, and reduce your protein intake.

For pregnancy

To determine the hormones that can help in conceiving a child, you will have to take urine and blood tests, which will allow you to understand the state of the body. The ovaries produce estradiol, which is involved in preparing the uterus for conception, as well as testosterone, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, responsible for egg production. Male testosterone, with its elevated level in the female body, makes conception difficult, interfering with the normal course of pregnancy.

Progesterone, sometimes called the maternal hormone, is essential for the development of the baby in the womb. Conception is due to the normal function of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland. The latter is responsible for prolactin, which stimulates lactation and ovulation, and for luteotropin, which controls the production of estrogen in the female body. If conception does not occur for a long time, women are sometimes prescribed Femoston: it contains estradiol and dydrogesterone, which normalize and maintain the necessary hormonal levels. This drug is a mixture of estrogen and progesterone.

For weight gain

Taking hormonal medications can lead to weight gain. This is used by athletes who want to build muscle mass by using steroids, which include corticosteroids and sex hormones. They are banned in Russia, which forced them to look for other methods, one of which turned out to be somatostatin, a growth hormone that can increase muscle mass.

However, you should be careful: hormones for weight gain should not be used without medical supervision. The doctor prescribes them for people with anorexia, exhaustion, and excessively thin. The drug “Duphaston” is very common: it was created for women who want to get pregnant, but for those who want to gain weight, it is perfect. Hormonal drugs are prescribed after consultation with an endocrinologist, who determines the dosage of the drug.

For acne

Hormone therapy is effective for acne. Taking hormone-containing medications will prevent excessive sebum production. However, you need to be careful because they can lead to worsening mood, weight gain and headaches as a side effect. At the end of the course, acne may return, and to prevent this from happening, the simultaneous use of antibacterial drugs is necessary, preferably not antibiotics, but natural substances.

Subcutaneous fat is formed with the participation of androgens, which are most actively produced by the female body during menstruation. This leads to the appearance of acne on the skin on such days. This phenomenon can be eliminated by using hormonal pills containing progesterone and estrogen, which will help the body maintain the balance of androgens. For this purpose, birth control contraceptives, such as “Jess”, are often prescribed: they are taken in a course, one tablet per day.

Which drugs to choose

Often, women make decisions about choosing a hormonal contraceptive based on advertising or what their friends say. This situation is unacceptable, because only a gynecologist, after all the necessary tests and examinations of the body, can recommend any of the remedies. If you decide to choose a hormonal drug on your own, it may not only not have the desired effect, but also cause harm to your health, even death.

Video

In the TV show, the obstetrician-gynecologist will tell you how and at what point hormonal contraceptives act on the body, and why you should not be afraid to take the drug. The doctor explains why birth control medications are good for fighting acne, how they prevent uterine and ovarian cancer, and also explains the benefits of the intrauterine ring and IUD for the treatment of certain gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis.

So, you have become the “proud” owner of a prescription for a hormonal drug that your doctor prescribed to you for treatment or contraception. Since any hormonal drugs have a fairly serious effect on a woman’s body, you need to remember several rules that will help you avoid not very good consequences:

Immediately set a reminder on your mobile phone to take a pill (preferably in the evening, when the main tasks are done).
Forget about alcohol while taking hormonal medications. The only exception is those days when you have a break from taking pills, and even then it is undesirable to take too much. It is known that alcohol and drugs can enhance or reduce each other's effects. Or there may be completely unpredictable consequences that will arise much later, and you are unlikely to associate this with that fun evening that you spent with a glass in your hands.
Avoid stale foods, strange combinations, and hard-to-digest foods. Because diarrhea (diarrhea) or vomiting can reduce the required concentration of the drug and will lead to the fact that instead of a “sleep” cycle, you get a completely “working” cycle, which will negate all treatment or contraception.
Remember that almost any hormonal drugs “thicken” the blood. Therefore, monitor the condition of your blood and get tested on time.

The most exciting moment is weight gain. Unfortunately, this is a common fact, no matter how doctors try to convince us. Of course, hormonal medications are now improved, with minimal dosages. But still, the danger of weight gain remains. Here you need to know that in the first months of taking such pills, the body will send signals that it seems to be hungry, although you just ate an hour ago. Learn to seize this moment and don’t be fooled by your own body’s provocations.
There are also cases of decreased libido. This is also quite natural and understandable.

Be that as it may, hormonal drugs, like any medicine, have their advantages and disadvantages. But it is still better to use them only for treatment, and for contraception it is better to consider other options, since recently more and more new studies have been discovered on the negative effects of such drugs on the woman’s body as a whole. In any case, the choice is yours.

In medical practice, doctors often have to resort to hormone replacement therapy. There are many reasons for this: hypothyroidism, cancer, dwarfism, menopause, infertility, etc. Treatment with hormones imposes a certain responsibility on the doctor, because it is necessary to calculate all the consequences of their additional introduction into the body. Some people start taking hormonal medications on their own to prevent unwanted pregnancy or to lose weight. Therefore, many are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to take hormones, what harm or benefit they can bring to the body?

Features of taking hormones

First of all, it should be noted that these unique substances control almost all biological processes occurring in our body. The work of internal organs and the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones, is closely interconnected. This mechanism is fine-tuned by nature itself, so you need to interfere with it very carefully. The main problem, which often leads to complications and unexpected hormonal imbalance: incorrect calculation of the dosage of medications taken. In the human body, the level of hormones is not constant; it periodically fluctuates depending on the time of day, emotional state and many other factors. It is extremely important to take into account the individual characteristics of each person, but such control is rarely carried out. Prescribing the wrong dose of hormones most often leads to negative consequences. However, there are situations when hormonal therapy is necessary: in case of deficiency of any biologically active substance in the body, the presence of a cancerous tumor, to restore the reproductive function of men and women, autoimmune diseases, menopausal syndrome.

Hormonal contraceptives

Many women use hormonal birth control pills to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Of course, this is very convenient, because when taking them you do not need to resort to other means of contraception: intrauterine devices, contraceptive suppositories, lubricants, creams, caps, etc. In addition to the contraceptive effect, hormonal pills have a number of positive qualities: they normalize the menstrual cycle, reduce the likelihood of infertility, prevent ectopic pregnancy, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. But not everything is so rosy. Long-term use of oral contraceptives can also cause hormonal imbalance, disrupt fat metabolism in the body, and increase body weight. In addition, such preservatives contribute to blood thickening and slow blood flow, increasing the risk of thrombosis. There are known cases of the negative impact of birth control pills on liver function. It all depends on the individual characteristics of each woman’s body.

Hormones for weight loss

Some people believe that taking hormonal drugs helps get rid of excess weight. Many people go on strict diets, exhaust themselves in the gym, but cannot get rid of excess fat deposits. The main reason for this phenomenon lies in metabolic disorders, and thyroid hormones are primarily responsible for metabolic processes. Indeed, by accelerating metabolism, a person who starts taking medications containing thyroid hormones can lose weight. But it is strictly forbidden to do this yourself. The decision must be made by the attending physician, who must determine which hormone deficiency causes a slowdown in metabolism. Otherwise, the problem of excess weight can only get worse.

Hormones during pregnancy

Prescribing hormonal medications during pregnancy is already a recognized necessity. Typically, their use is prescribed to expectant mothers if there is insufficient production of the hormone progesterone, which stimulates the growth of the endometrium of the uterus and ensures the preservation and normal course of pregnancy. Due to a deficiency of this hormone, the conditions for fetal development are disrupted, which can result in a miscarriage. Sometimes taking hormonal drugs such as Duphaston or Utrozhestan causes dizziness and drowsiness, but usually this occurs with an overdose of drugs. The main thing is to achieve the main goal of such hormonal therapy - preventing miscarriage.

Thus, in search of an answer to the question of whether it is possible to take hormones, you should think a thousand times about the advisability of taking them, so as not to harm your health. Take care of yourself!

The drugs do not cause tumor formation. However, in the presence of cancer, such drugs can stimulate their further development. Therefore, before you start taking pills, undergo a full examination, just in case. Please note that hormone therapy requires caution.

As you know, the endocrine system of each of us is a kind of “hormonal skeleton” of our body, while all the glands that produce hormones, regardless of their location, are in close relationship, providing all the most important functions, both physical and psycho-emotional.

Our mental abilities, general well-being, appearance, mood, proper digestion, sleep, etc. depend on the coordinated work of these glands.

If for any reason a hormonal imbalance occurs in the body, in which the production of hormones is disrupted in one direction or another, then the person is prescribed appropriate treatment.

When planning a pregnancy

Lack of hormones is especially dangerous in situations where a woman dreams of motherhood, but, unfortunately, a lack of female hormones estrogen can become an obstacle to conception and normal development of the fetus.

For this reason, in the case when the desired pregnancy does not occur, the woman needs to be examined by an endocrinologist, and this must be done even when all other physical indicators are within normal limits.

In some cases, a woman may be prescribed hormones that serve as a stimulator for egg maturation. Hormone therapy can prevent or minimize the likelihood of miscarriage.

Of course, before using hormonal therapy, you should turn to simpler methods that can activate the work of the endocrine glands, because it is likely that the functional failure is insignificant.

Sometimes it is enough to normalize your diet, provide sufficient physical activity, spend more time in the fresh air, etc., that is, lead a healthy lifestyle.

It is also necessary to remain calm, since fatigue and chronic stress reduce the likelihood of conception by half. The fact is that these factors negatively affect the functioning of the adrenal glands, which, in turn, begin to produce hormones that are not necessary for the maturation of the egg.

For contraceptive purposes

One cannot fail to mention the category of women who use hormonal therapy to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Moreover, oral contraceptives can be purchased in our pharmacies without much difficulty, and their low content of hormones can prevent not only pregnancy, but also help in solving problems with excess weight, liver, and blood vessels.

Of course, no one can give an absolute guarantee that pregnancy can occur, but gynecologists still admit that birth control pills are one of the most reliable means.

By the way, such oral hormonal drugs are often prescribed for gynecological problems, for example, ovarian dysfunction, absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) in adolescence, etc.

However, there is one significant “but”: long-term use of drugs of this kind can “wean” the body from working independently, as a result of which it simply stops producing the necessary hormones in the required quantities.

Ultimately, this development of events is fraught with ovarian dysfunction, and, as a consequence, premature aging. For this reason, it is important to determine “your” drug by consulting a specialist and conducting an examination, which involves performing the necessary tests.

If you start taking one or another oral contraceptive uncontrollably, this can cause serious gynecological problems, including problems with conception.

If at this time it is determined that the body continues to function normally without taking medications, then you can return to their further use.

If you want to prolong youth

During the period of declining reproductive function, in order to prolong youth, some women also resort to hormone replacement therapy.

This method was especially popular in the USA and Great Britain in the sixties of the last century. But, at present, experts are skeptical about this method of prolonging youth, since, in their opinion, the use of hormonal drugs can provoke the development of breast and ovarian cancer, and also promotes the process of blood clots.

At the same time, some researchers are inclined to believe that the intake of additional amounts of estrogen into the female body is a good prevention of the development of osteoporosis, because this hormone prevents the leaching of calcium from the body. These arguments go against those who argue that hormone therapy can cause more harm than good.

Nevertheless, if you, for whatever reason, decide to use hormonal therapy, first of all, clearly understand for yourself for what purpose you need it. So, for example, in the case of a complex course of menopause, accompanied by hot flashes, increased sweating, and emotional swings, taking medications of this kind is completely justified.

But if the motives are only to postpone impending old age indefinitely, then in this case it will be more effective and safer to visit a psychologist and conduct a course of psychotherapy.

And if, for one reason or another, you have to take hormonal drugs for a long time, then you must first undergo a full examination, which in the future must be repeated every six months. The total duration of hormone replacement therapy should not exceed three to five years.

So you should still be careful when using hormonal treatment. Some gynecologists advise giving preference not to tablets, but to patches, suppositories, and gels, since these products contain fewer hormones.

Excess weight, health problems and even loss of interest in sex - all this can be a consequence of improper selection or use of hormonal contraceptives. With all the advantages of hormonal contraception, one should not forget about the disadvantages of such pills. Of course, modern oral contraceptives cause much fewer problems than drugs of previous generations, but, like all drugs, they have side effects. Problem: You're gaining weight.

Estrogens contained in OCs can cause fluid retention (fortunately, the 1–2 kilograms gained because of this often go away after the body adapts). Other components, gestagens (progestogens, progestins), have a certain anabolic activity and can change carbohydrate metabolism, especially if its disturbances existed before starting to take OCs.

Is there a solution? As numerous studies show, modern drugs with 3rd generation progestogens (“Jess”, “Yarina”, “Klaira”, “Midiana”, etc.) affect metabolism much less than OCs of the first generations. “In most cases, weight gain is caused by the woman moving less or consuming more calories. OCs can indirectly affect appetite, both increasing and decreasing it,” explains Larisa Ivanova, Ph.D., gynecologist at Central Clinical Hospital No. 13 (Moscow). So in the first months of taking it, you should watch what and how much you eat!

Problem: You don't want sex

While taking OCs, the production of female sex hormones and the main hormone of sexuality, testosterone, decreases, and sexual desire may decrease. For example, a study by scientists from the University of Heidelberg (Germany) showed that women using hormonal contraception are more likely to complain of sexual disorders associated with the ability to become aroused and have orgasms.

Is there a solution? In some cases, the problem can be solved by switching to pills with a lower progesterone content, in others you have to change the method of contraception.

Problem: mood swings and you want to sleep

The mood and well-being of women largely depends on hormonal levels, especially on fluctuations in the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone during the menstrual cycle. Accordingly, interference in this process sometimes leaves its mark. Also, the progestin components of OCs can impair the metabolism of tryptophan, an amino acid necessary for the production of good mood hormones.

Is there a solution? Change OK. The downside: if taking OCs has a negative effect on some, on the contrary, for others, adjusting the hormonal status helps get rid of depression, irritability and mood swings caused by sudden fluctuations in hormones or their excess.

Problem: Increased risk of thrombosis

In the 60s of the twentieth century, the frequency of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in women increased sharply - the culprits turned out to be OK.

Is there a solution? In modern contraceptives, the amount of hormones is several times lower, and they do not have such a strong effect on the blood coagulation system (the “critical” figure, exceeding which significantly increases the risk of such complications, is considered to be 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol). But only if we are talking about healthy women. If there were hemostatic disorders before starting OC use, the likelihood of complications increases, especially against the background of associated risk factors: age over 35 years, smoking, hypertension, etc.

Problem: varicose veins worsen

According to the Association of Phlebologists of Russia, in 30% of cases, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives causes varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.

Is there a solution? This is another reason why it is worth taking breaks from taking OCs (Russian gynecologists often prescribe them for 1.5–2 years, then a break of 2–3 months). And before you start drinking them, you should visit a phlebologist (especially if you have “bad heredity”).

Do not forget: oral contraceptives are medications, and they should be selected by a doctor after collecting an anamnesis and the necessary examination, including examination by a gynecologist, ultrasound of the pelvic organs and mammary glands, measurement of blood pressure, biochemical blood test, blood test for hormones, sugar and for prothrombin (ideally for hemostasis). It is good to add to this a consultation with a phlebologist and endocrinologist.