How hormonal drugs affect the body. Statement of 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 made the decision to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies, 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 isn't getting the proper dose of hormones and you can't fully rely on pills for the rest of your cycle. Therefore, it is important for a woman to think about this option and choose to protect herself differently towards the end of the cycle, whether with a condom or other means of protection against conception. The reliability of hormonal contraceptives also reduces some digestive tract diseases.
The principle of action of contraceptives on a woman
Contraceptive 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 pills?
Not all girls know this, but GCs (hormonal contraceptives) have three phases of protection against pregnancy. The first, most important stage - 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 usually occurs by fertilization by sperm. For this, a condition is necessary - male germ cells must freely penetrate the fallopian tube of a woman.
All antibiotics adversely affect the intestinal microflora. The bacteria in which they live are involved in the utilization of hormones. The hormones that a woman eats in a pill are slowly processed into soluble guts in the intestines and then moved to the intestines to be eliminated. The effects of the bacteria are chemically altered and returned to the blood. This cycle prolongs the storage of the hormone in the body. Not all antibiotics are the same, some affect the intestinal microflora more, others less. The greatest risk occurs in the case of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which, in addition to the disease-causing bacteria, 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, spermatozoa simply cannot get to the fallopian tubes, where they will meet with the egg. However, this scenario can also fail. If the most active and tenacious sperm can penetrate the thick mucus to the egg and fertilize it, the last of the conceived, the third defense option, will work.
If a woman prescribes an antibiotic doctor, it is recommended that the woman is taking hormonal contraceptives and ask him to explain the risk of pregnancy for a particular product. Laxatives are substances that promote bowel movements and are used against constipation. Constipation can be caused by an unpleasant sensation of extrusion and congestion, abdominal pain, discomfort, and a feeling of incomplete emptying. They are also used for targeted bowel movements, such as check-ups and some treatments.
When taking birth control pills, the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity changes, it becomes loose, which makes it an unfavorable soil for the introduction of the embryo. That is, a 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 stop. Everything seems to be fine, but here it is worth thinking about what effect these pills have on a woman’s body in terms of her health?
The tendency to constipation increases in proportion to age. Typical for people with a sedentary occupation and people tied to the 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 can be poor eating habits, insufficient fluid intake, stress, nervousness, some metabolic disorders. The use of lasers with irritating effects is not without risk, as it disturbs the water and ionic balance.
Laxatives and hormonal contraceptives
Problems can also occur with vomiting or very severe diarrhea. This shouldn't have been a problem at one time, but you definitely shouldn't be taking this type of medication on a regular or long-term basis because it has a negative effect on the intestines. Some foods that are a little more gentle than drugs are a little attractive.
Positive effect on a woman of hormonal contraceptives
Thanks to the intake of GC, 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 are painless. With all this, menstrual flow becomes scarce and short, so it almost does not cause women any inconvenience. At their request, girls can either delay the approach of menstruation, or bring its onset closer.
If these inconveniences occur within three to four hours of taking the pill, you may think of it as being forgotten because the body hasn't had a chance to process it. In practice, this means that the intake of drugs from the gastrointestinal tract can 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 - drugs 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 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 prolonged use of contraceptives does not affect epileptic seizures.
Having started taking birth control pills, many girls notice a weakening of the premenstrual syndrome - their mammary glands do not engorge, and their mood is kept at the same level. Preparations 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 intake helps to reduce blood loss during menstruation, the hemoglobin level normalizes.
Antiepileptics and hormonal contraceptives
If a woman is epileptic, it is important that her neurologist and gynecologist be consulted when choosing the most appropriate method of contraception. It is possible that some antiepileptic medication can interfere with the effect of hormonal contraception, leading to an unwanted pregnancy. There is a possibility of an interaction between the hormones in birth control pills and the drugs that women use for contraception. Some of these drugs speed up the breakdown of hormones in the blood, causing hormonal contraceptives to not be effective enough.
It is known that even after a short use of contraceptive pills (within 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 controlled, and when they are stopped, the ovaries work more briskly and steadily. 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 drinking them, and over the next 2-3 months, a long-awaited pregnancy almost always occurs.
Unfortunately, after this type of surgery, this condition can occur even for a long period of time. Such changes should be systematically removed, but, unfortunately, sometimes small thickening and discoloration of the skin remain for a long time. If in doubt, consult the doctor who treated this case.
Igor Madej Surgeon, doctor of aesthetic medicine, oncologist, Wroclaw
The central nervous system is a common but not the most common site of distribution. The time to the first symptoms depends on the location of the tumor itself, and it is often the case that these changes remain silent despite growing even to really large sizes. The prognosis depends on the tumor itself.
The negative impact of birth control pills on a woman and her health
There are also negative sides to the GK. For example, if an incompetent doctor prescribed them to a girl, without taking into account the peculiarities of her health, without taking into account the anamnesis and her habits, the pills can lead to serious health problems. The thing is that GCs, which are taken orally, affect the cardiovascular system.
Psychotherapist, Doctor of Natural Medicine, Warsaw Meetings
Piotr Sawicki, ENT, Bydgoszcz, attend meetings
Cold -. A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract with especially severe symptoms in the nose Cold symptoms cough, sore throat, runny nose, and mild fever or chills Symptoms usually disappear within seven days, although some may last up to three. Some of the viruses that cause the common cold can also cause an asymptomatic infection. The data collected do not allow us to determine whether antitussives are more effective than simple pain relievers, and their use is not recommended in children due to lack of evidence for their effectiveness and potential harm associated with their use.If a girl has problems with veins, for example, thrombophlebitis, then birth control pills are contraindicated for her. When they are 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 events in the form, for example, increased drowsiness. Other cleansers, such as pseudoephedrine, are also effective in the adult population. Ipratropium bromide nasal spray can also reduce symptoms of the common cold, but its irritant effect is low.
On the other hand, second-generation antihistamines do not seem to be effective. Due to the lack of tests, it is not possible to determine whether increased fluid intake can have a beneficial effect on symptoms or shorten the course of airway obstruction, similar to warming humidified air. One study showed the effectiveness of essential oil rubbing agents in relieving symptoms such as nocturnal coughs, nasal congestion, and sleep disturbances. Antibiotics and antivirals Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections and therefore do not affect viruses that cause colds.
There is information that girls who take birth control pills for a long time are more at risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. In a special risk group are those who are diagnosed with cervical erosion. All these features must be taken into account by the doctor prescribing the pills.
Krzysztof Gjerlotka Doctor of Infectious Diseases, Hepatologist, Sexologist, Bydgoszcz
Due to possible adverse events, the administration of antibiotics hurts; however, they are usually prescribed to patients. Common reasons for the widespread use of antibiotics are: patients' expectations that they are prescribed an antibiotic, the doctor's desire to do something for the patient, and the difficulty in identifying a causal relationship between adverse events and antibiotics. The result shows that low or negative titers are good. However, you need to check with time to be 100% sure.
Contraceptive pills undoubtedly benefit healthy women, helping to cope with premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, and make critical days more comfortable. However, in the case of certain diseases, it is better to refrain from them, since the harm from taking them will exceed the benefits. You should never prescribe these pills on your own, because you do not know if they will suit you and what consequences they can lead to.
You will love it
In addition, for the treatment of syphilis, benzathyline penicillin should be used, doses and amounts depending on the phase. If it is in fact the smell of alcohol or similar substances, this may indicate, for example, diabetes or other metabolic disorders, so first of all you should contact your general practitioner or therapist to rule out diabetes or kidney dysfunction or malfunction of medications that the patient requires urgent consultation. Please don't underestimate this.
Good morning, your symptoms also point to hypothyroidism. You should contact your general practitioner 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 every type of pill will cause every woman the same side effects. Each organism is different, so the reaction to hormonal contraception is a very individual matter.
The word "hormones" causes fear in 60% of modern women. This fact is not surprising: hormone therapy is indeed quite a serious and often not harmless therapeutic measure. The dangers of hormonal drugs are often and much spoken about, 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 (with diabetes, thyroid diseases, bronchial asthma, etc.).
Are hormone pills harmful?
As a hormone hormone discord, and hormonal agents differ in the degree of positive and negative effects on the body. The ratio 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 do some 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 must be clearly understood that the hormonal drugs of the 21st century cannot be compared with the hormonal drugs of the 20th century. If our mothers associated the phrase “hormonal treatment” with excess weight, edema, unnatural hair growth, then in our time such side effects are minimized. But it is important to understand that the harm from the use of a hormonal drug will be minimal only if it is properly selected.
So, why are hormonal drugs harmful? To answer this question, you just need to read the instructions for use for a particular tool. In the "Side Effects" section, as a rule, the whole range of possible (but not mandatory) side effects is indicated, among them are the classic ones: metabolic disorders, weight gain, excessive hair growth, skin rashes, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, and more.
The harm and benefits of hormonal contraceptives
Hormone 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 going on 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 the natural background of a woman, 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, which were contained in the hormonal preparations of the first generations, caused serious harm to the female body. Improved OK of the new generation are characterized by a mild effect on due to the maximum cleansing and the minimum quantitative content of the hormone. Against the background of OK reception:
The benefit-to-risk ratio for hormonal contraceptive pills is unambiguously positive.
And to the frequent question of women: “How harmful are hormonal pills?” the following answer can be given: in the absence of contraindications, subject to the correct diagnosis and the correct selection of the drug - practically nothing. The first three months of admission (the period of adaptation to the drug) side effects are possible: nausea, headaches and dizziness, breast engorgement, mood swings, decreased sexual desire.
Hello Dmitry! Hormonal drugs prescribed to a man by a competent doctor and on the case, as well as any other drugs, are designed to restore one or another function of the body. Otherwise, for example, applied in the wrong way, in the wrong dosage, they can lead to serious consequences or simply to health troubles. Generally speaking, when taking certain medications, you should always remember such a wise and ancient phrase: "Everything is a poison, and everything is a medicine." It all depends only on their competent or illiterate use.
Hormonal drugs are synthetic drugs that act like natural hormones produced in our body. Such drugs do not necessarily have a contraceptive effect, and can be prescribed to both women and men (depending on the type of drugs) to normalize the function of the reproductive system, normalize hormonal levels, etc.
For example, many men prolong their sexual function with hormone-based drugs. Of course, their use must be agreed with the doctor in advance, and self-administration of such drugs is strictly prohibited. After conducting a comprehensive examination, passing numerous tests, the doctor can really 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, as studies show that male menopause is not always due to 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, unexpectedly manifested maternal instinct. The male refused to mate with the female, and began to show maternal feelings towards her.
The consumption of hormones for each person is very individual and it is impossible to look at a neighbor and follow his example. Only a doctor can advise and prescribe hormones, with an illiterate approach, taking hormones can become unsafe.
If you are interested in taking hormonal drugs for good results in sports, then everything is also very individual here. One thing is for sure - you should not abuse any drugs.
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 is well studied, and most of the studies are freely available to a wide range of readers.
There are hormonal agents containing hormones of natural origin (they are made from the glands of slaughtered cattle, urine and blood of various animals and humans), including both plant 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 oily 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 a lack of production of certain hormones by the human body, for example, insulin deficiency in diabetes, sex hormones - with reduced ovarian function, triiodothyronine - with myxedema. This therapy is called substitution therapy and is carried out over a very long period of the patient's life, and sometimes throughout his life. Also, hormonal preparations, in particular, containing glucocorticoids, are prescribed as anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory drugs, and mineralocorticoids are prescribed for myasthenia gravis.
Important female hormones
In the female body, a very large number of hormones “work”. Their well-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 muscles according to the female type. In addition, these hormones are responsible for the cyclical nature of menstruation. They are produced by the ovaries in women, the testicles in men, and the adrenal cortex in both sexes. These hormones affect bone growth and water-salt balance. After menopause, women experience less estrogen. This can lead to hot flashes, sleep disturbance and atrophy of the organs of the genitourinary system. Also, a lack of estrogen can be the 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". In certain concentrations, they cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics in women (coarseness of the voice, facial hair growth, baldness, muscle growth “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 an excessive amount of these substances, a miscarriage can occur. Androgens can reduce the secretion of vaginal lubrication, while sexual intercourse becomes painful for a 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 to maintain pregnancy, stimulates the development of the mammary glands and "prepares" the uterus for bearing the fetus. During pregnancy, its level increases by 15 times. This hormone helps us get the most out of what we eat and increases our appetite. During pregnancy, these are very useful qualities, but if its formation rises at another time, 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 (egg release), 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 the maternal instinct. It is necessary for lactation, increases milk secretion and converts colostrum into milk.
This hormone prevents a new pregnancy from occurring while the baby is breastfeeding. It is also involved in providing orgasm and has an analgesic effect. Prolactin is called the stress hormone. Its production increases during stressful conditions, anxiety, depression, severe pain, psychosis, and the action of adverse external factors.
All these hormones are very important for the proper functioning of the body of a woman. They allow the female body to function normally.
Features of hormonal drugs
Such a broad concept as "hormonal drugs" includes various drugs:
- Contraceptives.
- Treating (drugs whose action cures diseases, for example, somatotropin in childhood treats dwarfism caused by its deficiency).
- Regulatory (various pills to normalize the menstrual cycle or hormonal levels).
- Supportive (insulin for diabetics).
All of them have a different effect on the body of a woman.
Contraceptives
Without contraceptives, avoiding an unwanted pregnancy is difficult, and constantly using condoms or other mechanical methods of contraception can be uncomfortable. Therefore, for the representatives of the weaker sex, many drugs have been developed that, when taken, pregnancy does not occur.
Most often, the action of contraceptives is that they do not allow the egg to attach to the walls of the uterus, so the development of the fetus becomes impossible. The use of contraceptives in the form of tablets is popular today, but along with positive qualities, there are also negative consequences for a woman's body:
- violation of the menstrual cycle (with the wrong selection of the drug);
- swelling and weight gain (due to the body not taking medication);
- hair loss, brittle nails and dry skin (due to improper selection);
- lethargy, feeling unwell, decreased libido.
But all these qualities in 90% of cases are manifested in the wrong or self-selection of contraceptives. Such serious drugs can only be selected by a gynecologist, because for this it is necessary to analyze the data of the hormonal background of a woman. In no case do not prescribe oral contraceptives on your own, because if one girl did not feel bad from some contraceptives, 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:
- having problems with the background;
- taking antibiotics;
- pregnancy;
- problems with the cardiovascular system;
- age less than 17 years;
- overweight and allergic reactions.
During the period of such protection, chronic diseases can worsen. Discuss all the details with your doctor or gynecologist before you start taking contraceptives.
Side effects
In instructions for hormonal contraceptives, mental disorders are sometimes indicated as side effects. Usually it is depression and anxiety disorders. Fear attacks or panic attacks are not always listed separately, because they are often reduced to just anxiety disorders. Although they deserve special attention and can greatly ruin the life of a woman who uses contraceptives. According to studies 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. Aggressiveness increases, 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.
Considering that even the normally observed fluctuations in the levels of endogenous hormones during the menstrual cycle affect the mood in women (for example, according to data from France and England, 85% of the crimes committed by women occur during their premenstrual period), it becomes clear why when taking GC aggressiveness 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, libido, and difficulty getting an orgasm. It is known that long-term use of hormonal contraceptives can cause irreversible changes in sexuality and libido. Due to the blocking of testosterone in very young girls using contraceptives, there is sexual coldness, often anorgasmia.
Particular attention when taking hormonal contraceptives should be paid to the following recommendations:
- pills designed to prevent unwanted pregnancy do not protect the female body from sexually transmitted diseases;
- women over 35 years of age when taking combined contraceptive pills should stop smoking, since in this case the risk of blockage of blood vessels increases significantly;
- during feeding, 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 are prescribed containing only the hormone of the corpus luteum;
- with the appearance of nausea, dizziness, indigestion, you should seek the advice of a specialist;
- if you are prescribed drugs, you must inform your doctor that you are taking hormonal contraceptives;
- if there was a pass in taking the pills, then there is a need to use additional contraceptives, for example, condoms;
- for women with severe forms of endocrine diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, as well as those with pathology of the heart and blood vessels, neoplasms, taking oral contraceptives is undesirable.
treating
This group heals the body from diseases and disorders. Such hormonal preparations can be in the form of a tablet or topical application. The former are used to treat serious diseases caused by abnormalities in the hormonal background. The latter affect more locally, in 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, which do not heal. For their treatment, a dermatologist may prescribe a cream, ointment, lotion with certain hormones.
Often, ointments 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 medications most 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 newfangled 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 astray due to changes in the hormonal background.
Therefore, a detailed blood test for these substances is taken. Such procedures are not cheap, because it is very difficult to work with hormones, but remember: the treatment of the consequences of violations will cost much more, so take care of your body in a timely manner.
After identifying specific hormones that are not enough, or they are in excess, a course of drugs is prescribed to regulate their level. It can be tablets or injections. Often gynecologists prescribe oral contraceptives to normalize the menstrual cycle. Don't be afraid, they are not trying to cheat or make things worse. Depending on the results of the tests, some hormonal remedies actually improve menstruation without causing negative consequences. The influence of regulating agents depends on the correctness of their selection and dosage, because the active substances are required by the body in the smallest doses, so it is very easy to cross the line of the norm. For example, if you overdo it with injections of progesterone with its deficiency, then swelling, nausea, hair loss and pain in the mammary glands may appear.
Supportive
These pills or injections keep the body back to normal if diseases or disorders can no longer be cured. This may be due to chronic diseases, constant failures, poor functioning of the 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 be harmful:
- 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 it is these drugs that support the life of the patient.
Hormonal drugs fundamentally affect a woman's body, especially if they are oral contraceptives or regulatory agents. Therefore, remember that only a specialist after detailed analyzes can prescribe them. Pills, injections, ointments and other drugs with hormones often disrupt the digestive system, excretory system, and can cause weakness, so consult your doctor if you experience such symptoms.
Common myths
- Hormonal drugs are very harmful to health, they should not be used in any case. An erroneous opinion. Hormonal drugs have a diverse systemic effect on the body, and, like any other medicine, they 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 those hormonal drugs that helped my friend (sister, acquaintance). You should not self-prescribe hormones (as well as any other drugs). These drugs are prescription drugs, they should be prescribed only 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 girlfriend or even a relative).
- Hormonal drugs should not be used for nulliparous and girls under 20 years old. A completely erroneous opinion. Hormonal contraceptives can be used even by adolescents, especially if you need to achieve a certain therapeutic effect.
- After using hormones for a long time, you can not be afraid to get pregnant. Not at all. Already a month after the end of taking the drugs, it becomes possible to become 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 (half a year, a year, etc.), you should take a break in taking hormonal drugs. This opinion is erroneous, since interruptions in taking the drug do not affect either the appearance (or not the appearance) of complications, or the ability to bear children at the end taking medications. If there is a need and, according to the doctor, there are no contraindications for continuous use, hormonal preparations can be used continuously and for as long as you like.
- Nursing mothers should not take hormones. This statement is true only in relation to some pills that affect lactation. However, there are pills containing only a small amount of the hormone that do not affect lactation. It should only be remembered that these tablets must be used strictly after 24 hours in continuous mode. Even a minimal deviation from the hours of admission completely destroys the contraceptive effect of this drug.
- Hormonal pills can make a big difference. 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 is inclined to be overweight or with an increase in body weight while taking it, the doctor prescribes drugs with a low content of progestogens responsible for increasing body weight.
- Hormonal drugs are created only to prevent pregnancy in women, there are no drugs of this kind for men. This is not true. Hormonal drugs are synthetic drugs that act like natural hormones produced in our body. Such drugs do not necessarily have a contraceptive effect, and can be prescribed to both women and men (depending on the type of drugs) to normalize the function of the reproductive system, normalize hormonal levels, etc.
- Only very severe diseases are treated with hormonal drugs. Not necessary. In the treatment of some non-severe diseases, hormonal drugs are also prescribed. For example, with a decrease in thyroid function, thyroxine or euthyrox is used.
- Hormones accumulate in the body. Wrong 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 during the day: that is why it needs to be taken every 24 hours. After the end of taking hormonal drugs, the effect of their impact 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 work.
- Pregnant women are not prescribed hormonal drugs. If a woman had hormonal disorders before pregnancy, then during the bearing of the fetus she needs drug support so that the production of female and male hormones is normal and the child develops normally. Also, hormones (for example, adrenal hormones) are used if during pregnancy the hormonal background of a woman's body is disturbed.
- In any case, hormonal drugs can be replaced with other drugs. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In some situations, hormonal drugs are indispensable (for example, if a woman under 50 has her ovaries removed). And sometimes hormonal treatment is prescribed by a psychoneurologist (for example, for depression).
