How hormonal drugs affect the body. Statement by the Moscow Society of Orthodox Doctors in connection with the widespread advertising of hormonal contraceptives
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.
Antibiotics and hormonal contraceptives
One risk is the use of antibiotics. They affect the intestinal microflora and therefore the absorption and effectiveness of birth control pills. The body does not receive the required dose of hormones, and you cannot rely entirely on the pill for the rest of the cycle. Therefore, it is important for a woman to think about this option and choose to protect herself in another way towards the end of her cycle, whether with a condom or other means of protection against conception. The reliability of hormonal contraceptives also reduces some diseases of the digestive tract.
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.
All antibiotics negatively affect the intestinal microflora. The bacteria in which they live are involved in the utilization of hormones. The hormones a woman eats in the pill are slowly processed into soluble intestines in the intestines and then moved into the intestines to be eliminated. The bacteria's effects are chemically altered and returned to the blood. This cycle prolongs the retention of the hormone in the body. Not all antibiotics are the same, some have a greater effect on the intestinal microflora, others less. The greatest risk occurs with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which, in addition to the bacteria that cause the disease, destroy intestinal bacteria.
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.
If a woman prescribes an antibiotic doctor, it is recommended to state that the woman is taking hormonal contraceptives and ask the doctor to explain the pregnancy risk for the specific product. Laxatives are substances that promote bowel movement and are used against constipation. Constipation can be caused by an unpleasant feeling of extrusion and congestion, abdominal pain, discomfort and a feeling of incomplete emptying. They are also used for targeted bowel movements, such as for examinations and some treatments.
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?
The tendency for constipation increases with age. Typical for people with sedentary occupations and people confined to bed. Constipation, which affects women more often than men, will not permit the use of laxatives. His problems are more complex and must always look for the true cause. They may be poor eating habits, insufficient fluid intake, stress, nervousness, and certain metabolic disorders. The use of lasers with irritating effects is not without risk, as it disrupts the water and ion balance.
Laxatives and hormonal contraceptives
Vomiting or very severe diarrhea may also cause problems. This shouldn't have been a problem at one time, but you definitely shouldn't take this type of medication on a regular or long-term basis because it has a negative effect on your gut. Some foods that are a little more gentle than drugs are a little attractive.
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.
If these discomforts occur within three to four hours of taking the pill, you may think of it as forgotten because the body hasn't had a chance to process it. In practice, this means that the uptake of gastrointestinal medications may be delayed when laxatives are used, so laxatives should not be used with oral contraceptives. What time can you take laxatives in the elevator or ask your doctor about it.
Antiepileptics - medications for epilepsy
Antiepileptic drugs work by inhibiting the stimulation of nerve cells in the brain. It is impossible to say with certainty which antiepileptic is the safest and the most risky. Today there are new antiepileptic drugs that have fewer side effects, as was the case with drugs in the recent past. The new generation of epileptic drugs does not affect the reliability of contraception. Even long-term use of contraceptives does not affect epileptic seizures.
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.
Antiepileptics and hormonal contraceptives
If a woman is epileptic, it is important that her neurologist and gynecologist are consulted when choosing the most appropriate method of contraception. It is possible that some antiepileptic treatments may interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal contraception, which could lead to unintended pregnancy. There is the possibility of an interaction between the hormones in birth control pills and the medications women use for contraception. Some of these drugs speed up the breakdown of hormones in the blood, causing hormonal contraceptives to become less effective.
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 cannot 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.
Unfortunately, after this type of surgery, this condition can occur even over a long period of time. Such changes should be systematically removed, but, unfortunately, sometimes slight thickening and discoloration of the skin remain for a long time. If in doubt, consult the doctor who treated the case.
Igor Madej Surgeon, aesthetic medicine doctor, oncologist, Wroclaw
The central nervous system is a common but not the most common site of distribution. The time before the first symptoms depends on the location of the tumor itself, and it often happens that these changes remain silent, despite growing even to a really large size. The prognosis depends on the tumor itself.
Negative effects of birth control pills on a woman and her health
GC also has its negative sides. 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.
Psychotherapist, Doctor of Natural Medicine, Warsaw Meetings
Piotr Sawicki, ENT, Bydgoszcz, attends meetings
Cold -. A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract with particularly severe symptoms in the nose. Cold symptoms are cough, sore throat, runny nose and mild fever or chills. Symptoms usually disappear within seven days, although some may persist for up to three. Some of the viruses that cause colds can also cause asymptomatic infection. The data collected do not allow us to determine whether cough suppressants are more effective than simple painkillers, and their use is not recommended in children due to the lack of evidence of their effectiveness and the potential harm associated with their use.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.
The abuse of dextromethorphan has led to the drug being banned in many countries. In adults, symptoms such as a runny nose can be relieved with first-generation antihistamines; the use of these drugs is associated with the occurrence of adverse effects such as increased drowsiness. Other drugs with a cleansing effect, such as pseudoephedrine, are also effective in adults. Ipratropium bromide nasal spray can also reduce the symptoms of a runny nose, but its irritant effect is low.
On the other hand, second generation antihistamines do not seem to be effective. Due to the lack of testing, it is not possible to determine whether increased fluid intake may have a beneficial effect on symptoms or shorten airway obstruction, similar to how humidified air is warmed. One study showed the effectiveness of essential oil rubs in relieving symptoms such as nighttime coughs, nasal obstruction, and sleep disturbances. Antibiotics and antivirals Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections and therefore have no effect on cold-causing viruses.
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.
Krzysztof Gierlotka Infectious diseases doctor, hepatologist, sexologist, Bydgoszcz
Because of the potential for adverse events, antibiotic administration is harmful; however, they are usually prescribed to patients. Common reasons for the widespread use of antibiotics are: patients' expectations of being prescribed an antibiotic, physician desire to do something for the patient, and difficulty in identifying a cause-and-effect relationship between adverse events and antibiotics. The result shows that low or negative titers are good. However, you need to do a test over time to be 100% sure.
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.
You'll love it
In addition, benzathylene penicillin should be used to treat syphilis, doses and quantities depending on the phase. If it is in fact the smell of alcohol or similar substances, it could indicate, for example, diabetes or other metabolic disorders, so first of all you should contact your GP or GP to rule out diabetes or kidney dysfunction or malfunction of the medications that the patient requires urgent consultation. Please don't underestimate this.
Good morning, your symptoms also indicate hypothyroidism. You should contact your GP and ask to see a doctor. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to an endocrinologist. And although more than half a century has passed since then, the pills still cause a lot of controversy. First of all, because of the side effects that are attributed to them. Of course, you can't generalize and say that each type of pill will cause the same side effects in every woman. Every body is different, so response to hormonal contraception is a very individual matter.
The word “hormones” evokes fear in 60% of modern women. This fact is not surprising: hormone therapy is indeed quite a serious and often not harmless treatment measure. The dangers of hormonal drugs are often talked about a lot, while their benefits are rarely remembered. But few people think that hormonal therapy can significantly improve a person’s quality of life, and sometimes even support this very life (for diabetes, thyroid diseases, bronchial asthma, etc.).
Are hormonal pills harmful?
Just as hormones differ from hormones, hormonal drugs differ in the degree of positive and negative effects on the body. The balance of harm and benefit of hormonal drugs is determined by the type of hormone, its concentration, frequency, duration and method of application.
Yes, of course, hormonal drugs cause certain harm to the body. But, as a rule, they do not cause more damage to health than the disease for which this drug is used. Today there are diseases that cannot be treated without hormones.
Why are hormonal drugs harmful?
It is necessary to clearly understand that hormonal drugs of the 21st century cannot be compared with hormonal drugs of the 20th century. If our mothers associated the phrase “hormonal treatment” with excess weight, swelling, unnatural hair growth, then in our time such side effects are minimized. But it is important to understand that the harm from using a hormonal drug will be minimal only if it is selected correctly.
So, why are hormonal drugs harmful? To answer this question, you just need to read the instructions for use for a specific product. In the “Side Effects” section, as a rule, the entire range of possible (but not obligatory) side effects is indicated, among them the classic ones: metabolic disorders, weight gain, excessive hair growth, skin rashes, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, and others.
Harm and benefits of hormonal contraceptives
Hormonal therapy in women most often involves treatment with oral contraceptives (OCs), the main purpose of which is contraception, and the therapeutic effect is achieved as a positive side effect. Discussions about the benefits and harms of hormonal contraceptives have been ongoing for many years.
Some theorists and practitioners of medicine, including alternative medicine, are categorically against the use of hormonal contraceptives in medical practice, since they cause irreparable harm to the female body in the form of suppression of ovarian function, changes in a woman’s natural background, and dangerous side effects.
Another part of the experts claims, and numerous scientific studies confirm, that everything written above has nothing to do with modern OK. Huge doses of hormones contained in the first generations of hormonal preparations caused serious harm to the female body. Improved OCs of the new generation are distinguished by a mild effect due to maximum purification and minimal quantitative hormone content. While taking OK:
The benefit-risk ratio when taking hormonal contraceptive pills is clearly positive.
And to a common question from women: “Why are hormonal pills harmful?” we can give the following answer: in the absence of contraindications, subject to the correct diagnosis and correct selection of the drug - practically nothing. During the first three months of use (the period of adaptation to the drug), side effects are possible: nausea, headaches and dizziness, engorgement of the mammary glands, mood swings, decreased sexual desire.
Hello, Dmitry! Hormonal drugs prescribed to a man by a competent doctor and on purpose, just like any other drugs, are designed to restore one or another function of the body. Otherwise, for example, if used in the wrong way, in the wrong dosage, they can lead to serious consequences or simply to health problems. Generally speaking, when taking certain medications, it is always worth remembering this wise and ancient phrase: “Everything is poison, and everything is medicine.” It all depends only on their competent or illiterate use.
Hormonal drugs are drugs obtained synthetically and acting like natural hormones produced in our body. These kinds of drugs do not necessarily have a contraceptive effect, and can be prescribed to both women and men (depending on the type of drug) to normalize the function of the reproductive system, normalize hormonal levels, etc.
For example, many men prolong their sexual function with the help of hormonal-based drugs. Of course, their use must be previously agreed with a doctor; independent use of such drugs is strictly prohibited. After conducting a comprehensive examination and undergoing numerous tests, the doctor can actually prescribe a drug containing testosterone, which will help a man improve the situation with sex hormones. However, simply taking testosterone, without a doctor's prescription, may not lead to any significant results, since studies show that male menopause is not always caused only by a lack of hormones. Accordingly, hormone deficiency does not always lead to limited male functions. There is one interesting study in which testosterone was injected into the brain of a male rat, hoping to induce a strong sexual instinct. However, instead, the animal, on the contrary, suddenly showed maternal instinct. The male refused to mate with the female, and began to show purely maternal feelings towards her.
The consumption of hormones for each person is very individual and you cannot look at your neighbor and follow his example. Only a doctor can advise and prescribe hormones; if not done correctly, taking hormones can become unsafe.
If you are interested in taking hormonal drugs for good results in sports, then everything here is also very individual. One thing is for sure - you should not abuse any medications.
Hormonal drugs are a group of drugs used for hormone therapy and containing hormones or their synthesized analogues.
The effect of hormonal drugs on the body has been studied quite well, and most studies are freely available to a wide range of readers.
There are hormonal products containing hormones of natural origin (they are made from the glands of slaughter cattle, urine and blood of various animals and humans), including plant ones, and synthetic hormones and their analogues, which, naturally, differ from natural ones in their chemical composition , however, produce the same physiological effect on the body.
Hormonal agents are prepared in the form of oil and aqueous formulations for intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, as well as in the form of tablets and ointments (creams).
Effect
Traditional medicine uses hormonal drugs for diseases that are associated with insufficient production of certain hormones by the human body, for example, deficiency of insulin in diabetes, sex hormones in decreased ovarian function, triiodothyronine in myxedema. This therapy is called replacement therapy and is carried out over a very long period of the patient’s life, and sometimes throughout his entire life. Also, hormonal drugs, in particular those containing glucocorticoids, are prescribed as antiallergic or anti-inflammatory drugs, and mineralocorticoids are prescribed for myasthenia gravis.
Important female hormones
A very large number of hormones “work” in the female body. Their coordinated work allows a woman to feel like a woman.
Estrogens
These are “female” hormones that stimulate the growth and function of the female genital organs and the growth of the mammary glands. In addition, they are responsible for the appearance of female secondary sexual characteristics, i.e., breast enlargement, fat deposition and the formation of female-type muscles. In addition, these hormones are responsible for the cyclicity of menstruation. They are produced by the ovaries in women, the testes in men, and the adrenal cortex in both sexes. These hormones affect bone growth and water-salt balance. After menopause, women have less estrogen. This can lead to hot flashes, sleep disturbances and atrophy of the genitourinary system. Also, a lack of estrogen can be a cause of osteoporosis that develops in postmenopause.
Androgens
Produced by the ovaries in women, the testes in men, and the adrenal cortex in both sexes. These hormones can be called “male” hormones. In certain concentrations, they cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics in women (deepening of the voice, growth of facial hair, baldness, growth of muscle mass “in the wrong places”). Androgens increase libido in both sexes.
A large amount of androgens in the female body can lead to partial atrophy of the mammary glands, uterus and ovaries and infertility. During pregnancy, under the influence of excess amounts of these substances, a miscarriage may occur. Androgens can reduce the secretion of vaginal lubrication, making sexual intercourse painful for the woman.
Progesterone
Progesterone is called the “pregnancy” hormone. It is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries, and during pregnancy also by the placenta. Progesterone helps maintain pregnancy, stimulates the development of the mammary glands and “prepares” the uterus for bearing a fetus. During pregnancy, its level increases 15 times. This hormone helps us get the most nutrients from what we eat and increases our appetite. During pregnancy, these are very useful qualities, but if its formation increases at other times, this contributes to the appearance of extra pounds.
Luteinizing hormone
Produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates the secretion of estrogen by the ovaries in women, and is also responsible for ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum.
Follicle-stimulating hubbub
Synthesized by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, estrogen secretion and ovulation. Gonadotropic hormones (FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone, LH - luteinizing hormone and prolactin), produced in the adenohypophysis, determine the sequence of maturation of follicles in the ovary, ovulation (the release of the egg), the development and functioning of the corpus luteum."
Prolactin
This hormone is also produced by the pituitary gland. In addition, the mammary gland, placenta, central nervous system and immune system are involved in its secretion. Prolactin stimulates the growth and development of the mammary glands and is involved in the formation of maternal instinct. It is necessary for lactation, increases milk secretion and converts colostrum into milk.
This hormone prevents the occurrence of a new pregnancy while breastfeeding the baby. It is also involved in providing orgasm and has an analgesic effect. Prolactin is called a stress hormone. Its production increases under stressful conditions, anxiety, depression, severe pain, psychosis, and the influence of unfavorable external factors.
All these hormones are very important for the proper functioning of a woman’s body. They allow the female body to function normally.
Features of hormonal drugs
Such a broad concept as “hormonal drugs” includes various medications:
- Contraceptives.
- Treatments (drugs that cure diseases, for example, somatotropin in childhood treats dwarfism caused by its deficiency).
- Regulating (various tablets for normalizing the menstrual cycle or hormonal levels).
- Supportive (insulin for diabetics).
They all have different effects on a woman’s body.
Contraceptives
Without contraceptives, it is difficult to avoid unwanted pregnancy, and constantly using condoms or other mechanical methods of protection can be inconvenient. Therefore, many drugs have been developed for the fairer sex, the use of which does not cause pregnancy.
Most often, the effect of contraceptives is that they prevent the egg from attaching to the walls of the uterus, so the development of the fetus becomes impossible. The use of contraceptives in the form of pills is popular today, but along with the positive qualities, there are also negative consequences for the woman’s body:
- menstrual irregularities (due to incorrect selection of the drug);
- swelling and weight gain (due to the body not taking medications);
- hair loss, brittle nails and dry skin (due to improper selection);
- lethargy, poor health, decreased libido.
But all these qualities in 90% of cases manifest themselves due to incorrect or independent selection of contraceptives. Only a gynecologist can select such serious medications, because for this it is necessary to analyze the woman’s hormonal data. Under no circumstances prescribe oral contraceptives on your own, because if some contraceptives don’t make one girl feel bad, this does not mean that they will suit others.
But not everyone can use this method of protection.
There are several contraindications for the use of hormonal contraceptives:
- presence of problems with the background;
- taking antibiotics;
- pregnancy;
- problems with the cardiovascular system;
- age less than 17 years;
- excess weight and allergic reactions.
During the period of such protection, chronic diseases may worsen. Discuss all the details with your doctor or gynecologist before you start taking contraceptives.
Side effects
Instructions for hormonal contraceptives sometimes list mental disorders as side effects. These are usually depression and anxiety disorders. Fear attacks or panic attacks are not always indicated separately because they are often reduced simply to anxiety disorders. Although they deserve special attention and can greatly ruin the life of a woman who uses contraceptives. According to research conducted by the Royal Society of General Practitioners, women taking hormonal contraception have an increased risk of mental illness, neurotic depression (10-40%), the development of psychosis, and suicide. Aggression increases, and changes in mood and behavior are noted. It is possible that this factor has a significant impact on the life of the family and society.
If we consider that the mood in women is influenced even by the normally observed fluctuations in the levels of endogenous hormones during the menstrual cycle (for example, according to data from France and England, 85% of crimes committed by women occur in their premenstrual period), it becomes clear why when taking GC aggression and depression increase by 10-40%.
Under the influence of contraception, the level of the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for sexuality, is significantly reduced. Women taking hormonal contraceptives often complain of a lack of desire, lack of sexual desire, and difficulty achieving orgasm. It is known that with long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, irreversible changes in the area of sexuality and libido can occur. Due to the blocking of testosterone, very young girls using contraceptives experience sexual coldness, often anorgasmia.
When taking hormonal contraceptives, special attention should be paid to the following recommendations:
- pills intended to protect against unwanted pregnancy do not protect the female body from sexually transmitted diseases;
- women over 35 years of age should stop smoking when taking combined contraceptive pills, as in this case the risk of vascular blockage increases significantly;
- During breastfeeding, it is undesirable to use tablets of a combined composition, since the estrogen in their composition affects the quality and composition of milk. In this case, tablets containing only the corpus luteum hormone are prescribed;
- if nausea, dizziness, or stomach upset occur, you should consult a specialist;
- if you are prescribed medications, you must inform your doctor that you are taking hormonal contraceptives;
- if there is a miss in taking pills, then there is a need to use additional contraceptives, for example, condoms;
- For women with severe forms of endocrine diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, as well as those with pathology of the heart and blood vessels, neoplasms, taking oral contraceptives is undesirable.
Treating
This group treats the body from diseases and disorders. Such hormonal preparations can be in the form of tablets or external use. The former are used to treat serious diseases caused by hormonal imbalances. The latter affect more locally, at the places of use.
Often, girls synthesize few hormones responsible for the synthesis of new cells, so cracks or bleeding wounds appear on the skin, especially in winter, and do not heal. To treat them, a dermatologist may prescribe a cream, ointment, or lotion with certain hormones.
Ointments often contain corticosteroids, which, when applied to the skin, are absorbed into the blood within a few hours and begin to act. How does this group affect the body? This issue should be approached seriously, because the most important medications require attention when prescribing, determining the dosage and duration of the course, because the wrong step will cause complications of existing disorders.
Regulatory
Due to the crazy pace of life, daily poor nutrition, bad habits, sedentary lifestyle and new-fangled diets, women often suffer from menstrual irregularities. This negatively affects the development of the reproductive system, the general condition of the body, increases the risk of developing breast cancer, and can also cause infertility. But there is a solution to this problem, because most often the cycle goes wrong due to changes in hormonal levels.
Therefore, a detailed blood test is taken for these substances. Such procedures are not cheap, because working with hormones is very difficult, but remember: treating the consequences of disorders will cost much more, so take care of your body in a timely manner.
After identifying specific hormones that are either deficient or in excess, a course of medications is prescribed to regulate their levels. These could be pills or injections. Often, gynecologists prescribe oral contraceptives to normalize the menstrual cycle. Don't be afraid, they are not trying to deceive or make things worse. Depending on the test results, some hormonal remedies actually improve menstruation without causing negative consequences. The influence of regulatory agents depends on the correctness of their selection and dosage, because the body requires active substances in the smallest doses, so it is very easy to cross the line of the norm. For example, if you overdo it with progesterone injections when there is a lack of it, you may experience swelling, nausea, hair loss and pain in the mammary glands.
Supporters
These pills or injections keep the body normal if diseases or disorders can no longer be cured. This may be due to chronic diseases, constant malfunctions, poor functioning of endocrine organs, and others. For example, without insulin injections, a diabetic can die within a few days, even if he does not eat sweets.
Thyroxine tablets can stop the development of myxedema in people with thyroid dysfunction.
These drugs can often cause harm:
- loading the gastrointestinal tract;
- irritating the mucous membranes of the stomach or intestines;
- causing hair loss or other unpleasant symptoms.
But it is impossible to refuse them, because these are the drugs that keep the patient alive.
Hormonal drugs have a profound effect on a woman’s body, especially if they are oral contraceptives or regulating agents. Therefore, remember that only a specialist can prescribe them after detailed tests. Tablets, injections, ointments and other medications with hormones often disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, excretory system, and can cause weakness, so consult your doctor if such symptoms occur.
Common Myths
- Hormonal drugs are very harmful to health and should not be used under any circumstances. This is an erroneous opinion. Hormonal drugs have a variety of systemic effects on the body, and, like any other medicine, can cause side effects. However, abortion, from which these drugs protect almost 100 percent, is much more dangerous for a woman’s health.
- I will take the hormonal medications that helped my friend (sister, acquaintance). I should not self-prescribe hormones (like any other medications). These drugs are prescription drugs and should only be prescribed by a doctor after an examination, taking into account all the characteristics of your body (which, by the way, may be completely opposite to the characteristics of the body of your friend or even relative).
- Hormonal drugs should not be used by nulliparous women and girls under 20 years old. This is a completely erroneous opinion. Hormonal contraceptives can be used even by adolescents, especially if it is necessary to achieve a certain therapeutic effect.
- After using hormones for a long time, you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant. Not at all. Already a month after finishing taking the drugs, it becomes possible to get pregnant, and even give birth to twins or triplets, since 2-3 eggs mature in the ovary. Some forms of infertility are treated by prescribing contraceptives for 3-4 months.
- After a certain time (six months, a year, etc.) you should take a break from taking hormonal drugs. This opinion is erroneous, since breaks in taking the drug do not affect either the appearance (or non-occurrence) of complications or the ability to bear children after taking medications. If there is a need and, in the opinion of the doctor, there are no contraindications to continuous use, hormonal drugs can be used continuously and for as long as desired.
- Nursing mothers should not take hormones. This statement is only true for some pills that affect lactation. However, there are tablets containing only a small amount of the hormone that do not affect lactation. You just need to remember that these tablets must be used strictly every 24 hours continuously. Even a minimal deviation from the hours of administration completely destroys the contraceptive effect of this drug.
- Hormonal pills can make you gain a lot of weight. Hormonal pills do have an effect on appetite, but for some it increases and for others it decreases. It is impossible to predict exactly how the drug will affect you. If a woman tends to be overweight or if her body weight increases while taking it, the doctor prescribes drugs with a low content of gestagens, which are responsible for weight gain.
- Hormonal drugs are created only to prevent pregnancy in women; there are no drugs of this kind for men. This is wrong. Hormonal drugs are drugs obtained synthetically and acting like natural hormones produced in our body. These kinds of drugs do not necessarily have a contraceptive effect, and can be prescribed to both women and men (depending on the type of drug) to normalize the function of the reproductive system, normalize hormonal levels, etc.
- Only very severe diseases are treated with hormonal drugs. Not necessarily. In the treatment of some mild diseases, hormonal drugs are also prescribed. For example, when thyroid function decreases, thyroxine or euthyrox is used.
- Hormones accumulate in the body. Erroneous opinion. Once in the body, hormones almost immediately break down into chemical compounds, which are then excreted from the body. For example, a birth control pill breaks down and leaves the body within 24 hours: that is why it needs to be taken every 24 hours. After the end of taking hormonal drugs, the effect of their influence is maintained not due to the accumulation of drugs in the body, but due to the fact that hormones act on various organs (ovaries, uterus, mammary glands, parts of the brain), normalizing their functioning.
- Pregnant women are not prescribed hormonal medications. If a woman had hormonal disorders before pregnancy, then during pregnancy she needs medicinal support so that the production of female and male hormones is normal and the child develops normally. Hormones (for example, adrenal hormones) are also used if the hormonal balance of a woman’s body is disrupted during pregnancy.
- In any case, hormonal drugs can be replaced with other drugs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In some situations, hormonal drugs are irreplaceable (for example, if a woman under 50 has had her ovaries removed). And sometimes hormonal treatment is prescribed by a neuropsychiatrist (for example, for depression).
