Side effect of hormonal. What are the advantages of using hormonal medications? Features of contraception depending on the woman’s age

The method of hormonal therapy has been known for more than a hundred years, but some patients still do not fully trust it. Despite the fact that taking drugs containing hormones literally saves many lives every year, the opinion that such drugs are unsafe continues to exist. As a rule, people who doubt the safety of hormonal drugs do not clearly understand the principle of their effect on the body. Our task is to dispel these misconceptions.

Why are patients afraid to be treated with hormones?

Hormones are substances designed to regulate metabolic processes in the body, for the normal functioning of all its organs and systems. Normally, they are constantly secreted by the endocrine glands (thyroid and parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, gonads and some others). If the process of hormone production is disrupted, it is necessary to replenish their content in the blood with the help of synthetic substitutes.

According to experts, concerns associated with taking hormonal drugs arose at a time when drugs of this type were just beginning to be produced. The first products intended for hormonal therapy were of very low quality, and the concentration of active substances in them was very high. This actually led to the development of a number of side effects. Unfortunately, the memory of these troubles turned out to be very persistent, and hormone treatment began to be associated not so much with getting rid of many problems, but with the harm that it can cause to health.

Modern hormonal drugs are much safer than their predecessors, but the prospect of taking them often raises some concerns. Here are the most common ones:

“Hormonal drugs are used exclusively to prevent unwanted pregnancy.” In fact, there are a lot of medications containing hormones. They are used to optimize the functioning of organs and systems of the human body in cases where the endocrine glands that secrete these substances naturally do not function properly. Hormonal therapy is indicated for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, skin diseases, pregnancy pathologies and a number of other ailments;
“Hormonal treatment is a last resort for the most severe diseases.” This opinion is completely wrong. Hormonal therapy can indeed be very effective, but it is also used to treat patients whose condition does not cause concern;
“It is not necessary to take hormonal medications regularly.” An extremely harmful misconception, often nullifying the long-term efforts of doctors. The fact is that in the body of a healthy person, the endocrine glands constantly produce hormones, maintaining their normal concentration. If this process is disrupted, you can optimize your hormonal levels by adjusting the supply of missing substances from the outside. To do this, you must take the medications prescribed by your doctor, without allowing the slightest violation of the schedule;
“When you take products that contain hormones, they accumulate in the body.” Hormones are very easily destroyed. Therefore, they are normal and are produced by the body continuously. These substances cannot accumulate in the blood or tissues;
“Hormonal therapy is contraindicated in pregnant women.” Expectant mothers are prescribed such drugs quite often, and neglecting these prescriptions is extremely dangerous. Hormonal imbalance in a pregnant woman can lead to the loss of the fetus or the development of severe pathologies;
“Taking hormonal drugs is fraught with numerous problems associated with their side effects.” Modern products contain hormones in quantities that are safe for health. Like any other medicine, they have side effects, but not as catastrophic as it seems to uninformed patients. For example, the consequences of taking birth control pills, such as gaining excess weight or growing facial hair, are a thing of the past. Today's drugs of this type can cause only a slight temporary swelling of the breasts and mild bleeding, and these effects are observed only in the first months of use, and not in all women. With the use of other hormonal drugs the situation is approximately the same;
“Hormonal therapy can easily be replaced by treatment with drugs of a different origin.” When the production of any hormone fails, the body requires exactly the substance that is missing. Extracts of some plants contain components that have a hormone-like effect, but a complete switch to taking them usually does not provide the necessary therapeutic effect. We should not forget that herbal preparations themselves can cause health problems (for example, allergic reactions). The situation is even more complicated in cases where the result of a malfunction of the endocrine glands is an excess of any hormone. In this situation, the disturbed background can only be balanced by the entry into the body of a hormone that has the opposite effect.

Rules for taking hormonal drugs

All medications must be used correctly, but this is especially true for products containing hormones. Any violation of the schedule for taking them prescribed by the doctor within a few hours disrupts the well-functioning balance necessary for normal functioning body. If the patient's condition leaves much to be desired, such a failure can have dire consequences. 4 out of 5 (4 votes)

When something is missing in the body, the deficiency is compensated from the outside. This is how diabetes, thyroid diseases are treated, and more recently they have begun to eliminate especially female problems.

Many women are afraid hormones like fire and admit that only as a last resort will they agree to treatment with them. But sometimes you really can’t do without these drugs. And until we understand for ourselves what they bring more - benefit or harm, a lot of questions will arise in the future.

We asked Candidate of Medical Sciences, obstetrician-gynecologist at the Isida Clinic, and head of the prenatal diagnostics department, Yana Ruban, to answer some of them.

I was prescribed hormonal treatment, but it does not work. I've been taking the pills for over a month and still feel bad. I read that this could be due to obesity. Is this true?

If you are overweight, we recommend that a woman first go on a rational low-calorie diet and increase physical activity, and only then prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In some cases, we additionally prescribe medications that reduce body weight. This is necessary, since weight normalization is one of the main conditions for a positive result. In general, it takes at least 3 months to evaluate the effectiveness of hormone therapy.

I heard that women who take HRT age later. Is this correct?

Treatment hormones assigned for different purposes. This is not only a cosmetic effect, which consists in improving the condition of the skin, hair and nails, but also an effect on the cardiovascular, nervous and skeletal systems, memory and performance, the ability and desire to have a regular sex life. With HRT, the required amount of estrogens enters the female body, their concentration is constantly maintained at the same level, which not only allows you to feel young longer, but also improves the quality of life during this “autumn” period.

The doctor prescribed me treatment with hormones - for now for six months. How long can this take?

Obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the prenatal diagnostics department at the ISIDA clinic

The main goal of hormonal therapy is to eliminate early and late complications associated with the cessation of normal ovarian function. Therefore, several options are possible.

FIRST - short-term treatment aimed at eliminating early symptoms, for example, hot flashes, palpitations, depression, irritability, headaches. Duration of treatment - 3-6 months (repetition of the course is acceptable);
SECOND - long-term, aimed at preventing later symptoms (such as itching and burning in the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse, dry skin, brittle nails), cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, as well as eliminating metabolic disorders.

I'm afraid to take hormonal medications because I heard that they increase weight. What should I do?

Taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) in some cases is indeed fraught with such an “effect”, but this is not true for all drugs (much depends on the components they contain). The process is usually reversible - the weight is restored after completing the course. When deciding to take COCs, be sure to consult your doctor.

At the same time, if a woman notices that she is beginning to get better in parallel with the appearance of manifestations of menopausal syndrome, then timely and individually selected HRT, on the contrary, will help to reduce and stabilize weight. True, there are mandatory conditions for this age period: increasing physical activity, monitoring diet, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.

Three years ago my uterus was removed. The ovaries are working normally, but recently appeared. Can I be treated with HRT?

It is possible and necessary (if prescribed by a doctor), since after such an operation the decline in ovarian function inevitably progresses. But first you should conduct a full examination of the body by visiting a gynecologist, mammologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist and therapist. In the absence of contraindications, not combination drugs are prescribed, but monotherapy with natural estrogens in the form of tablets, patches, skin gels, subcutaneous implants, and suppositories. It can be taken either periodically or continuously, depending on the phase of menopause (peri- or postmenopause).

Is it possible to use homeopathic drugs instead of hormonal drugs - Remens? How fully do they perform the functions of hormone therapy?

The listed medications, as well as, belong to the group of homeopathic remedies, the main component of which is the extract of phytoestrogen - cohosh rhizome. The mechanism of its therapeutic action is based on an estrogen-like effect. Thanks to this, the woman’s emotional state is stabilized, hot flashes, sweating, irritability and nervousness are reduced. Moreover, the drugs are safe for health and well tolerated. But they have a selective effect: they do not have any effect on the condition of the endometrium, skeletal system, skin and blood composition. They are indicated for women with mild symptoms of menopause, as well as in the presence of contraindications to HRT and reluctance to take hormonal drugs.

The result of severe stress was my menstrual cycle. After a course of hormones, everything returned to normal. Is it possible to refuse them now?

If you feel well, do not hesitate to stop taking the medicine by taking the last tablet from the pack. The expected menstruation will begin on time. Next, monitor and be sure to mark subsequent periods on the calendar. If you are not planning to become pregnant, be sure to use other methods of contraception.

Sometimes, after taking hormonal contraceptives, menstrual irregularities are observed in the form of oligo- (rare menstruation) or amenorrhea (their complete absence). In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

I have mastopathy. I recently started menopause and the doctor suggested me hormonal therapy. But I read that it is dangerous for breast diseases.

If breast cancer is suspected, hormones are not prescribed. While taking medications, during the first 3 months you may experience swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands, which goes away over time. In this case, the principle of individual selection of the drug is always observed. In addition, you should definitely have a mammogram once a year.

? Is it possible to use hormonal contraceptives for medicinal purposes?

Indeed, they are used not only for the purpose of preventing pregnancy, but also to achieve a therapeutic effect.

International WHO studies have shown that the use of COCs significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (by 50%) and endometrial cancer (by 60%). COCs create functional rest for the ovaries, therefore they are used for the treatment and prevention of menstrual irregularities (), premenstrual syndrome. They are also used in complex therapy of benign breast diseases, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. They are effective in the treatment of both polycystic syndrome and certain types of infertility. Oral contraceptives are also effective in eliminating cosmetic skin defects, such as increased hair loss. The main thing is to choose the drug correctly, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. In this case, the benefit/risk ratio must be assessed to minimize side effects.

How can I determine if hormone therapy is right for me, and are there any contraindications?

Like any medicines, hormonal drugs for replacement therapy also have certain limitations. They are not prescribed to women who have been diagnosed and treated with breast or endometrial cancer, acute hepatitis and thromboembolic complications, liver dysfunction, untreated tumors of the genital organs and mammary glands, as well as allergies to the components of the drug.

There are diseases for which hormonal drugs can be used if the benefit from them is greater than the predicted risk of side effects. This applies to uterine fibroids, endometriosis, migraines, previous venous thrombosis and embolism, cholelithiasis, epilepsy, and ovarian cancer. If there are relative contraindications, only a doctor can decide whether to prescribe hormonal drugs and which ones.

Most people, due to a lack of knowledge in the field of medicine, consider hormonal drugs to be something terrible that bring a huge amount (from weight gain to significant hair growth). Such fears are unfounded. An example is hormonal pills for women. These drugs are widespread and effective in their use. What hormones are, why they are taken, and which of them are the best is discussed in the article.

Hormonal drugs contain synthetic hormones or hormonoids (substances with similar properties). Hormones are produced by glands of the endocrine system. Entering the blood, they spread throughout the body and reach target cells, on which they have a direct effect. Specific reactions occur there that control the vital functions of the body.

All hormonal medications can be divided into the following types:

pituitary gland preparations - representatives are and, which is known to every woman;
– used in the treatment of insufficient or excessive synthesis of hormonally active substances;
pancreatic agents (based on);
parathyroid preparations;
hormones of the adrenal cortex - glucocorticosteroids, which are used in most areas of medicine to relieve insufficiency, inflammatory and allergic processes;
preparations of sex hormones (progestins, androgens);
anabolic steroids

What are hormonal drugs used for?

Hormonal drugs are used to treat and prevent a number of pathological conditions, namely:

as contraception;
for replacement treatment during menopause and menopause, this also includes men with androgen deficiency;
treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases;
replacement therapy for deficiency of certain hormones;
as part of the complex treatment of tumor processes.

Female hormonal drugs are used for the following purposes:

menstrual irregularities;
prevention and treatment of anemia;
period after ectopic pregnancy;
postpartum contraception (3 weeks after the end of lactation);
therapy of gynecological pathologies;
condition after abortion.

Features of oral contraception

The history of contraception goes back to ancient times. Everything was not used until the structure of steroidal hormonally active substances was studied and the suppressive effect of high doses of sex hormones on ovulation was discovered. This included interrupted sexual intercourse, various cases soaked in infusions and decoctions of herbs, fish bladders, and prolonged breastfeeding.

The use of hormones began in 1921, when the Austrian professor Haberlandt confirmed the possibility of inhibiting the ovulation process by introducing an extract from the ovaries themselves. It was first synthesized in the USA in 1942, and used in 1954. The negative point was that the hormones in the tablets contained at that time a significant dose of the active substance (tens of times higher than what a woman now takes), and therefore caused weight loss. side effects.

Modern agents that are well tolerated were synthesized in the 90s of the 20th century. How effective a drug is is assessed by the Pearl Index. This indicator clarifies the possibility of pregnancy within 12 months of regular use of the drug. The index of modern hormonal drugs ranges from 0.3% to 3%.

Hormone-based contraceptives:

combined;
mini-pills (non-combined);
drugs for urgent contraception.

Combined hormonal agents

COCs are a group of the most popular modern contraceptives. They contain estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and gestagen (norgestrel, levonorgestrel, desogestrel) - hormonoids similar in their action to female sex hormones.

Depending on the dosage, as well as the ratio of gestagens and estrogens, several groups of hormonal pills are distinguished:

Monophasic - have the same dosage of active substances in each tablet of the package.
Biphasic - the amount of estrogen is constant, and the dose of gestagen varies depending on the phase of the cycle.
Three-phase - variable content of hormones in the composition.

The last group is considered the most physiological. It contains three types of tablets. The amount of hormones in each type depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The first 5 tablets correspond to the follicular phase, the next 6 tablets imitate the periovulatory phase, and the remaining 10 imitate the luteal phase. The amount of estrogen in each of the tablets is maximum, and the level of progestogen gradually increases, reaching its highest levels by the third phase of the cycle.

Mechanism of action

All hormone-based contraceptives are aimed at preventing the production and release of active substances, the action of which is associated with ovulation and implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity. The gonads decrease in size, as if “falling asleep.”

The drugs have the property of making cervical mucus thicker, which prevents a significant number of sperm from penetrating into the uterus. In addition, there is a change in the functional state of the endometrium, it becomes thinner, and its ability to attach the fertilized egg to itself decreases, if conception does occur.

Reviews from women who use products from this group confirm the effectiveness of use under the age of 35. The package contains 21 tablets of the same color. There may be a strict usage pattern, but it is of little value since all tablets have the same composition. The following is a list of the most popular and effective remedies.

The drug contains 30 mcg and 2 mg of dienogest. Regular intake has the following features:

Pearl index does not exceed 1%;
has androgenic activity - taken by women with elevated levels of male hormones;
normalizes blood cholesterol levels.

A good product made in Germany. Gestagen is represented by gestodene (75 mcg). Available in the form of dragees. It is not advisable to use it with other medications, as the risk of uterine bleeding increases.

The product is the most popular representative of the group. Drospirenone acts as a gestagen. Properties are similar to the drug Janine. In addition to lowering cholesterol and anti-adrogenic effects, Yarina has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. This explains why dermatologists prescribe tablets in the treatment of acne and acne.

It is an analogue of Logest. Significant differences are the country of manufacture, the color of the tablet shell and the slightly higher estrogen content in the composition.

The name of this representative is also constantly heard. Contains ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate. The product is the drug of choice for those women who have an increased level of hair growth, since the gestagen included in the composition has a powerful antiandrogenic effect.

One of the well-tolerated drugs, eliminating the formation of edema, weight gain, and increased appetite. Drospirenone, which is part of the composition, has the following features:

softens the effect of estrogen;
relieves manifestations of premenstrual syndrome;
reduces blood cholesterol levels.

Monophasic drugs do not end with this list. There are also a significant number of representatives:

Miniziston;
Mercilon;
Silest;
Regividon;
Dimia;
Midiana.

Two-phase and three-phase agents

Experts prefer monophasic drugs to representatives of these groups due to fewer side effects. Biphasic ones are rarely used, which is why among them there are tablets whose names are not familiar even to pharmacists: Femoston, Anteovin, Binovum, Neo-Eunomin, Nuvelle.

Three-phase drugs, due to their physiological composition, are more popular, however, side effects and complications when taking them are no less pronounced. The representative of the group will be called as follows: the name begins with the prefix “three”. For example, Tri-regol, Tri-mercy, Trister, Triziston.

The tablets are colored differently depending on the phase of administration. Such drugs must be taken strictly according to the regimen that comes with the package.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Modern contraceptives have a lot of positive qualities, which makes them widely used:

fast effect and high reliability;
the ability of the woman herself to control the state of her fertility;
knowledge of the means;
low incidence of side effects;
ease of use;
lack of influence on the partner;
reducing the possibility of developing an ectopic pregnancy;
positive effect in the presence of benign tumor processes of the mammary gland;
prevention of tumor processes of the female reproductive system;
relief of manifestations of dysmenorrhea;
positive effect on the condition of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and musculoskeletal system.

The negative aspects of COCs include the need for regular use according to a specific regimen, as well as the possibility of delaying subsequent ovulation cycles after discontinuation of the drug.

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications for prescribing COCs are the presence of pregnancy, malignant tumors of the reproductive system and mammary glands, pathology of the liver, heart and blood vessels, acute thrombosis or thrombophlebitis, as well as uterine bleeding of unknown etiology.

Pathological conditions that create problems during the period of drug use include:

arterial hypertension;
epileptic condition;
migraine;
depression, psychosis;
diabetes mellitus of any type;
chronic liver pathologies;
bronchial asthma;
tuberculosis;
porphyrin disease is a pathology of pigment metabolism, accompanied by a high level of porphyrins in the blood and their massive excretion in urine and feces;
benign tumors of the uterus;
upcoming immobilization or surgery.

There are a number of factors that reduce the effectiveness of the products used. These include dyspeptic symptoms in the form of vomiting and diarrhea, taking laxatives, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants. If vomiting and diarrhea occur within 3 hours of taking the last tablet, you need to take an additional one.

What are progestin oral contraceptives?

These are alternative drugs (mini-pills) that contain exclusively gestagens. Hormones from this group are needed in the following cases:

older women;
during lactation;
those who smoke;
those for whom COCs are contraindicated;
patients with hypertension.

Progestin contraceptives have a higher Pearl index. It can reach 4%, which is a negative point for the contraceptive process. Representatives: Levonorgestrel, Charozetta, Ovret, Micronor.

Reception scheme

The tablets must be taken once a day at the same time. If a woman misses a dose, then she should take hormones as soon as she remembers, even if she has to take two tablets at the same time.

If a woman remembers the pill no later than 12 hours from the time of need to take it, the contraceptive effect remains, but after 12 hours, additional methods of protection should be used.

Urgent remedies

Emergency contraception is represented by drugs used in times of emergency. These drugs contain significant doses of hormones that prevent the ovulation process or change the functional state of the endometrium of the uterus. The most famous are Postinor, Escapelle, Ginepriston. Cases when there is a need to take such drugs should be as rare as possible, since they cause a huge hormonal surge in the body.

How to choose an oral contraceptive

The specialist assesses the hormonal balance of the patient’s body and determines what minimum dose of the drug will be able to show the desired effect. The dose of estrogen should not be higher than 35 mg, and the dose of gestagen (in terms of levonorgestrel) - 150 mcg. The doctor also pays attention to the woman’s constitutional type. There are three main types:

with a predominance of estrogen;
balance;
with a predominance of gestagens.

Representatives of the first type are suitable for those products that have an increased dose of gestagens, the third - with an increased level of the estrogen component. If a woman has signs of an increased amount of male sex hormones, the ideal option would be to use drugs with an enhanced antiandrogenic effect.

The gynecologist also evaluates the condition of the patient’s reproductive organs. Heavy menstruation over a long period, increased size of the uterus are factors in increased estrogen levels in the body. Scanty menstruation in combination with uterine hypoplasia indicates high levels of gestagen.

Currently, the most used are combined mono- and triphasic oral contraceptives, which have a low dose of hormonally active substances included in the composition. These products have the same effectiveness and safety if you follow the rules for their use. The choice between specific representatives is made on the basis of each individual clinical case. Confirmation that the contraceptive is chosen correctly is the absence of uterine bleeding or bloody discharge between menstruation.

References

Obstetrics: course of lectures. UMO stamp for medical education. Strizhakov A.N., Davydov A.I., Budanov P.V., Baev O.R. 2009 Publisher: Geotar-Media.
Obstetrics. National leadership. UMO stamp for medical education. Ailamazyan E.K., Radzinsky V.E., Kulakov V.I., Savelyeva G.M. 2009 Publisher: Geotar-Media.
Preeclampsia: theory and practice. Ailamazyan E.K., Mozgovaya E.V. 2008 Publisher: MEDpress-inform.
Intrauterine infection: Management of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. UMO stamp for medical education. Sidorova I.S., Makarov I.O., Matvienko N.A. 2008 Publisher: MEDpress.
Clinical recommendations. Obstetrics and gynecology. Savelyeva G.M., Serov V.N., Sukhikh G.T. 2009 Publisher: Geotar-Media.

What is the effect of birth control pills on a woman’s body? Having decided to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, many girls choose hormonal contraception. However, before deciding to start taking hormonal pills, they are interested in what changes will occur in their body, and what is the effect of contraceptives on the body... Let's talk about it.

The principle of contraceptive action on a woman

Birth control pills contain small doses of female sex hormones – estrogen and progesterone (gestagen), which cause a number of changes in a woman’s body. What is the effect of the tablets?

Not all girls know this, but hormonal contraceptives (hormonal contraceptives) have three phases of protection against pregnancy. The first, most important stage is that they prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries for fertilization. Sometimes at this stage a failure may occur, that is, a mature egg in rare cases can still move into the fallopian tube, where it is usually fertilized by a sperm. For this, a condition is necessary - male reproductive cells must freely penetrate the woman’s fallopian tube.

Here the second line of defense is triggered - under the influence of hormones, the girl’s cervical mucus becomes viscous; through such a barrier, sperm simply cannot get to the fallopian tubes, where they will meet the egg. However, even in this scenario, failure may occur. If the most active and tenacious sperm can penetrate through the thick mucus to the egg and fertilize it, the last of the planned, third, protection options will work.

When taking birth control pills, the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity changes, it becomes loose, which makes it unfavorable soil for the implantation of an embryo. That is, the fertilized egg, having descended into the uterine cavity, will not be able to gain a foothold in the endometrial layer, which means that at this stage the pregnancy will end. Everything seems to be fine, but here it’s worth thinking about what effect these pills have on a woman’s body in terms of her health?

Positive effects of hormonal contraceptives on women

Thanks to taking HA, a girl can lead a normal sex life without fear of becoming pregnant. Many modern drugs significantly improve the quality of the menstrual cycle, making it regular and the periods themselves painless. With all this, menstrual flow becomes scanty and short-lived, and therefore causes almost no inconvenience to women. At their discretion, girls can either delay the approach of menstruation or bring its onset closer.

Having started taking birth control pills, many girls note a weakening of premenstrual syndrome - their mammary glands do not become engorged, and their mood remains at the same level. Drugs such as Yarina help relieve swelling, as well as moderate sebum production. Thanks to this, acne disappears and the condition of hair and nails improves. The positive effect of GCs also lies in the fact that their use helps reduce blood loss during menstruation, and the hemoglobin level is normalized.

It is known that even after short-term use of birth control pills (for 3-6 months) and their subsequent cancellation, it is much easier for girls to get pregnant. Thanks to these pills, the function of the ovaries is inhibited, and when they are stopped, the ovaries work more vigorously and stably. It is not for nothing that couples who are unable to get pregnant for a long time are recommended this method. A woman takes hormonal contraceptives, then stops taking them, and over the next 2-3 months the long-awaited pregnancy almost always occurs.

Negative effects of birth control pills on a woman and her health

The Civil Code has and negative aspects. For example, if an incompetent doctor prescribed them to a girl, without taking into account the characteristics of her health, without taking into account her medical history and her habits, the pills can lead to serious health problems. The thing is that GCs taken orally have an effect on the cardiovascular system.

If a girl has problems with her veins, for example, thrombophlebitis, then birth control pills are contraindicated for her. When taken, the blood becomes thicker, clots can form in it, and this leads to thrombosis and other health problems. GCs are also not recommended for women who smoke, since the simultaneous use of nicotine and pills significantly increases the load on the heart.

There is information that girls who take birth control pills for a long time are at greater risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. Those at particular risk are those diagnosed with cervical erosion. All these features must be taken into account by the doctor prescribing the pills.

Birth control pills undoubtedly benefit healthy women, helping to cope with premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, and making menstrual periods more comfortable. However, if you have certain diseases, it is better to abstain from them, since the harm from taking them will exceed the benefits. You should never prescribe these pills yourself, because you don’t know whether they will suit you and what consequences they may lead to.

Hormonal drugs are completely synthetic substances that have a stimulating effect on the human body regarding the regenerative functions of tissues. These pharmacological agents are widely used in the treatment of allergic reactions, bronchial asthma, arthritis, arthrosis, endocrine pathologies, and dysfunctions of individual systems and organs. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy is a vital necessity. This applies to cases of serious damage to the thyroid and pancreas. In particular, constant insulin therapy is required for sick people who suffer from type 1 diabetes. Constant administration of L-thyroxine for hypothyroidism helps preserve a person’s mental abilities. Also, replacement therapy can be justified in cases where it really helps to significantly alleviate the suffering of a sick person or prolong his life by eliminating factors that can cause cardiac arrest and paralysis of the respiratory center. These groups of diseases include bronchial asthma, heart, kidney and liver failure.

In emergency conditions such as pain and cardiogenic shock, an attack of suffocation or vasospasm, anaphylactic shock, intravenous steroids help prevent human death. However, there are cases of unjustified use of hormonal drugs at home without a doctor’s prescription.

When are they harmful?

Steroids became a part of human life more than half a century ago. However, the uncontrolled use of these drugs reached its maximum in the late 70s of the last century. It was at that time that the bodybuilding movement began to actively develop in the West. Young people, in pursuit of beautiful, sculpted muscles and rapid muscle tissue growth, began to use anabolic steroids. Subsequently, these means were improved and led athletes to victories in international competitions. This was the beginning of a new era in world sports, when not only athletes, but also pharmacologists of developed countries competed. Ultimately, all this led to disaster. People involved in professional sports began to suffer from impotence, infertility, and cardiovascular diseases. Many of them died before the age of 40.

This made scientists think about the possible negative consequences of taking anabolic steroids. They were banned. Currently, athletes are disqualified for doping and their results will be reset. Each athlete undergoes thorough doping control during competitions.

The sale of steroids and anabolic steroids in the pharmacy chain is carried out only with a doctor’s prescription. However, all these measures turned out to be insufficient. This was due to the fact that hormones began to penetrate other areas of human life. Currently, no one is surprised by the advertising of medicines based on them. As they say in commercials, such miraculous remedies have no contraindications and can be used even in infants to relieve itching after insect bites. We do not consider it necessary to name these drugs, but we recommend that you carefully read the annotations for any ointments, especially if you are going to use them for skin rashes and allergies.

What can the use lead to?

Most often, hormonal-based ointments are used in everyday life without medical supervision to remove the effects of sunburn, insect bites, and hives.

The most common negative consequences are:

addiction;
epidermal atrophy;
the appearance of age spots under the influence of sunlight.

Very often, after using a hormonal cream for 5 days, all skin manifestations of an allergic reaction will completely disappear. But immediately after stopping the drug (after 3-5 days), all symptoms return in an intensified form. And they can only be removed with a product with a higher concentration of the steroid component.

The use of anabolic steroids to build muscle mass leads to the development of impotence, damage to the vascular wall, and a deficiency of natural hormones in men, which provokes primary uncompensated infertility.

Treatment with other types of hormones can lead to uncontrolled weight gain, the development of edema, and impaired renal and liver function.