Hormonal drugs for the treatment of female diseases. Abstract principles of hormonal therapy in obstetrics and gynecology

Hormonal drugs are widely used in modern medicine to treat various diseases of the skin, endocrine system, etc. They have also found their application in gynecology.

The chemical structure of female sex hormones was discovered in the 30s of the last century in America, which made it possible to create their artificial analogues. This was a real breakthrough in gynecology and allowed:

conduct effective therapy for hormone-dependent diseases: uterine fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, etc.;
reduce the number of abortions through contraception with medications;
improve the quality of life of women during menopause and after operations to remove the ovaries or uterus in general;
treat infertility using new reproductive technologies (IVF, etc.).

Hormone replacement therapy

The main purpose of such treatment is to maintain the condition of a woman during menopause, when the reproductive function of the female body decreases and changes in hormonal levels occur. This has a strong impact on the psychological and physical state of the patient and leads to:

increased heart rate;
increased sweating (accompanied by hot flashes);
urinary incontinence;
vaginal dryness;
weight gain;
thinning of bone tissue;
irritability;
sleep disorders;
decreased performance.

In such cases, the doctor prescribes drug treatment called hormone replacement therapy. This helps to significantly improve a woman's quality of life.

Hormonal contraception

Contraception is an important issue that affects all women. Many people prefer to use hormonal drugs, such as oral contraceptives, spirals, special patches, etc., over traditional barrier agents. They have proven their effectiveness and can practically eliminate the possibility of conception. In addition, they are convenient to use; the main thing is to remember the expiration date and not miss it. Many people believe that taking such drugs provokes weight gain, but new generation drugs do not have such side effects. A gynecologist will help you decide on this or that method and select contraception.

Infertility treatment

Unfortunately, not everyone finds it easy to conceive a child. Nowadays, more and more women are faced with the problem of infertility. Through the use of hormonal drugs, artificial insemination became possible. For example, in IVF, superovulation is stimulated with the help of drugs. In addition, thanks to artificial hormones, it is possible to improve the functioning of the ovaries and get rid of other problems that impede conception (endometriosis, etc.).

Thus, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of the use of hormonal drugs in gynecology. They help solve many problems and disorders of the female reproductive system (from hot flashes during menopause to infertility treatment). In addition, their use has a positive effect on the condition of hair, skin and nails.

Hormonal preparations for women contain estrogen and progestogen components, which are a synthetic analogue of female sex hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.

Classification of hormonal drugs

All hormonal drugs can be divided according to the organs in which they are produced:

Pituitary hormones
Thyroid gland
Adrenal glands
Ovaries, etc.

Female hormonal contraceptives can be divided depending on the method of penetration:

How to get rid of women's disease? Irina Kravtsova shared her story of curing thrush in 14 days. In her blog, she explained what medications she took, whether traditional medicine was effective, what helped and what didn’t.

Tablets
Injectable
Plasters
Rings, etc.

Depending on the type of hormones, these can be:

Combined products
Monophasic
Two-phase
Three-phase
Non-combined

According to the dose of the hormone contained:

Low dose
Medium dosed
Highly dosed

What are they used for?

Due to the widespread use of hormonal drugs in gynecology, the range of their use is constantly growing.

Currently, the appointment is based on the main goal of both the woman and the specialist:

Oral contraception

Monophasic contraceptives

These are drugs that make up the group of the first generation of hormonal drugs.

They got their name due to their composition. It contains two main types of hormones - estrogens and progesterone, and their concentration will remain the same throughout each day of the cycle.

That is, a constant concentration of the substance is maintained in each tablet of the drug. Currently, drugs in this group are most widely used in women, this is primarily due to the ability to control hormonal levels.

Peculiarities:

Due to constant concentration, they help a woman cope with some diseases of the reproductive system, such as endometriosis, algomenorrhea, and hyperpolymenorrhea.
In addition, skipping pills will not always be dangerous for the functioning of the ovaries and subsequent restoration of intake; in this case, it will only be possible to increase the dosage using any other pill from the package.
In case of insufficient concentration of incoming funds, the dosage can be increased using the same tablets, in some cases it is simply doubled.

These include Rigevidon, Diane-35, Norkolut, Jess.

Biphasic agents

This is a group of drugs that are currently not so widely used in gynecology.

Peculiarities:

A distinctive feature of these cokes is that the composition of the tablets will be different. They will all have the same dosage of the estrogen component, while the amount of progesterone varies depending on the phase of the cycle.
Preference in prescribing these drugs is given to those women who have impaired sensitivity to progesterone.
In addition, one of the important indications of biphasic contraceptives is an increase in the level of male sex hormones in the blood. Hyperandrogenism can have varying degrees of severity and manifestation, but when taken regularly, hormonal drugs are effective.

These include Sinovulat, Sequilar and etc.

Three-phase contraceptives

This is one of the latest generations of medications, which are currently prescribed to women quite widely, but due to certain features they may have certain difficulties in taking them.

Peculiarities

A distinctive feature of this group of products is their complex composition, which contains two island types of hormones: progesterone and estrogens.
At the same time, the concentration of these drugs in tablets will differ depending on the day of the cycle, which is why taking them for many women causes great difficulties due to the possible omission of tablets, which turn out to be quite difficult to restore.
In addition, an undoubted advantage is the ability to completely adapt the drugs to the menstrual cycle, as a result, the number of side effects associated with taking them is significantly reduced.

Due to their high affinity with the normal menstrual cycle, they are recommended for use by young girls under 18 years of age, or women over 35, when adjusting the drug to the cycle is very important.

But it must be remembered that due to the possible skipping of pills, as well as the complex chemical composition, the risk of an unplanned pregnancy may increase several times. In addition, the amount of intermenstrual bleeding associated with improper use increases.

These drugs currently include Tri-regol, Tri-mercy, and Claira.

Pros and cons of COCs

Currently, doctors of many specialties, as well as women themselves, argue for a long time about the effectiveness, positive and negative aspects that are associated with taking combined hormonal drugs. Most people have mixed opinions.

At the same time, combined oral contraceptives are actively used by gynecologists, and the range of use has not become limited only to preventing the onset of unwanted pregnancy. But at the same time, drugs of this group cannot be prescribed en masse.

This is due to the fact that they, like other drugs, have a number of side effects and contraindications. Therefore, you should carefully talk with your doctor before taking it.

pros

This is to prevent the development of unwanted pregnancy. Many women use the products specifically for this purpose. And with the right drug, it will be absent, as well as provided it is taken regularly. This allows a woman to currently realize her plans and opportunities in the absence of a negative impact on sex life and the reproductive system, avoiding unwanted terminations of pregnancy.
The second positive aspect of taking combined oral contraceptives is the ability to control the menstrual cycle. This is especially important for women who have previously had problems, as well as a tendency to delays and rhythm disturbances. You can not only be sure of the time of their onset and therefore carefully predict important events in life, as well as other procedures, but also, if necessary, shift the date of your planned menstruation. Under the supervision of a doctor, a woman can delay, accelerate, or even prevent the onset of menstruation in a given cycle. This is achieved by stopping or, conversely, changing the cyclicity of taking active and inactive tablets.
Also, many hormonal drugs for women are used to provide a cosmetic effect. This is relevant for women suffering from androgen disorders in the body, which is expressed by hormonal-dependent alopecia, skin manifestations in the form of acne, etc., as well as the growth of unwanted hair on the surface of the body, where normally it should not exist. After just a few months, the woman notices positive dynamics in achieving a cosmetic defect. It should be remembered that drugs for this purpose should be prescribed only by a gynecologist, after a thorough hormonal study, but never by a cosmetologist or dermatovenerologist.
There is also a version that hormonal drugs for women can prolong reproductive age and delay the onset of menopause. This is achieved with the correct concentration of hormones, which leads to the absence of ovulation. Thanks to a similar mechanism, the ovarian reserve in the ovary is preserved and a woman may not enter menopause for a long time after stopping use. But to achieve this effect, low-dose drugs cannot be used for a certain group of women, as well as mini-pills, since they are not able to suppress ovulation. In addition, the intake must be long-term and regular and last at least 5 years. This is especially important for women who have prerequisites for the onset of early menopause.

Minuses

First of all, hormonal drugs for women used to prevent unwanted pregnancy do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. This is true if a woman takes them in the absence of a regular sexual partner. In such situations, you should also use a condom.
The likelihood of developing the initial stages of drug addiction, which can be very frightening for a woman. This group should include headaches, pain in the mammary glands, their cutting and a feeling of swelling, dizziness, the appearance of migraines and, in rare cases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Such changes are usually reversible and therefore do not pose a serious danger.
Weight gain. This is one of the most pressing questions asked by women. In fact, body weight increases, but this occurs due to the development of slight swelling of internal tissues under the influence of progesterone, as well as due to increased appetite. In most cases, this symptom quickly and independently disappears after discontinuation of the drugs.
Development of cellulite. This is a serious cosmetic defect that can frighten a woman and prevent her from starting taking medications. A similar effect is also created due to the accumulation of excess fluid, but as a rule, a similar problem already exists in a woman’s body, only during the period of taking coke does it worsen.
The risk of developing arterial hypertension, as well as thrombosis and thromboembolism. These problems can arise due to the development of blood thickening, which leads to a violation of its rheological properties. In addition, such a clinic often develops against the background of pronounced varicose veins.
With prolonged and uncontrolled use, especially against the background of predisposing factors or existing problems, toxic effects on the liver and biliary tract may occur.
Risk of developing malignant tumors on the cervix or mammary glands arising at the beginning of treatment against the background of cervical erosion or fibrocystic lesions of the mammary glands with a predominantly nodular component.
In addition, this is the regularity of administration. For some women, the regimen of taking hormonal medications is a significant problem.

Stories from our readers!
“The gynecologist advised me to take natural remedies. We settled on one drug - which helped cope with hot flashes. It’s such a nightmare that sometimes you don’t even want to leave the house for work, but you have to... Once I started taking it, it became much easier, you can even feel it "that some kind of internal energy appeared. And I even wanted to have a sexual relationship with my husband again, otherwise it was all without much desire."

What is a mini-pill?

Mini-pill is a separate group of drugs that are used to protect women from unwanted pregnancy.

They belong to hormonal oral contraceptives. Currently, this is an alternative to oral contraceptives, but there are differences in their composition.

The main component of these hormonal drugs is gestagen(a progestin that acts as an analogue of the progesterone type, which is produced in the corpus luteum during one of the phases of the menstrual cycle).

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages include insufficient contraceptive effectiveness. This is due to the fact that the contraceptive effect of this dose of hormones is much less compared to conventional means and the effect on the body is significantly reduced.
The advantage of their composition is a much lower dosage compared to conventional hormonal drugs for women. Their dosage should not exceed a third of that prescribed in standard preparations. It is thanks to this property that the likelihood of developing a side effect that occurs with the estrogen component is significantly reduced.

Drugs of this group are allowed to be taken if the main group of hormonal contraceptives is contraindicated.

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of action:

The mechanism of their action is achieved due to the fact that progesterone, which is part of the composition, is able to act on the mucus of the cervix, which leads to a change in its properties. This manifests itself in the development of thickening, which will create a mechanical obstacle to the further advancement of sperm.
At the same time, there is an effect on the egg, which is manifested by a decrease in the speed of its movement through the fallopian tubes in the woman’s body.
The condition of the endometrium is also influenced. It changes its properties and becomes less differentiated and more subtle. Such development becomes insufficient for subsequent attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine cavity even after fertilization has occurred.

Features of application

A woman’s body releases a significantly greater hormone that promotes ovulation. Therefore, with long-term and systematic use, a lack of ovulation may be observed.

In most cases, you can still notice the onset of the ovulatory cycle, i.e. the possibility of pregnancy cannot be excluded.

To develop such contraceptive effects in these hormonal drugs, you must adhere to all rules of administration. This should be regular use, as well as duration of use.

DID YOU KNOW?

The downside of most drugs is side effects. Often medications cause severe intoxication, subsequently causing complications in the kidneys and liver. To prevent the side effects of such drugs, we want to pay attention to special phytotampons.

The most common drugs in this group include: Microlut, Laktinet, Norkolut and others.

These hormonal drugs are taken by women after the age of 35, as well as by nursing mothers.

For the latter group, the issue of hormonal contraception remains relevant and quite controversial, since the drug should not be exposed to the child through transmission through breast milk. In addition, mini-pills are taken by women whose contraindications include the use of products with an estrogen component.

If there are contraindications in which combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated, mini-pills are allowed. This is especially true for diabetes.

Hormonal drugs for women after 40 years

Many women in the modern world, upon reaching this age, prefer to use hormonal therapy.

The main indication for use will be the prevention of pregnancy. Since at this age it can cause serious concern from both the woman and the fetus.

After 40 years, the risk of developing a child with chromosomal abnormalities increases several times.

In addition, hormonal drugs also have such positive effects as reducing the possibility of developing an oncological process both in the uterus and ovaries, as well as coping with the severity of some chronic pathologies.

At this age, preference should be given to hormonal drugs that contain either only progesterone or low dosage estrogen in combination with progesterone.

Preference should be given to drugs with low dosages of hormones, as they will help reduce the risk of developing hyperplastic processes in endometrial tissue, which in some cases leads to the development of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Among the drugs there are: Jess or Jess plus, Marvelon, Janine and Diane-35. But special attention should be paid to the correct selection of funds, since there is a high risk of complications during this period. In some cases, this can prevent the risk of early menopause.

My personal story

Premenstrual pain and unpleasant discharge are over!

Our reader Egorova M.A. shared her experience:

It’s scary when women don’t know the true cause of their illnesses, because problems with the menstrual cycle can be harbingers of serious gynecological diseases!

The norm is a cycle lasting 21-35 days (usually 28 days), accompanied by menstruation lasting 3-7 days with moderate blood loss without clots. Alas, the state of the gynecological health of our women is simply catastrophic; every second woman has some kind of problem.

Today we will talk about a new natural remedy that kills pathogenic bacteria and infections, restores the immune system, which simply restarts the body and includes the regeneration of damaged cells and eliminates the cause of disease...

Hormonal drugs after 50 years

This age is quite questionable regarding the choice of hormonal drugs by specialists. This may be due to the fact that there is still a possibility of pregnancy, since even with irregularities in the regularity of the cycle, ovulation can occur.

And in the absence of contraceptive methods, there is a high risk of developing an unwanted pregnancy in this period. In addition, many women are already approaching menopause and products are selected taking into account this state of the body.

In this case, hormone replacement therapy is selected, aimed at preventing the development of complications associated with the development of menopause in a woman.

Among oral contraceptives, preference is given to drugs that have a fairly small dose of hormones. They help prevent not only pregnancy, but also cope with certain types of diseases. In addition, they have a minimal risk of side effects.

The only point that deserves attention is a thorough study of all contraindications, since at this age most women have various kinds of pathologies of the reproductive system.

Among such drugs it is worth highlighting Silest, Triquilar, Marvelon and Tri-Regol.

In some cases, preference is given to hormone replacement therapy, especially if signs of menopause have already been noted. In this case, they help cope with the development of complications that arise from a lack of hormones.

These can be either synthetic hormonal preparations, which are aimed at completely replacing hormonal levels, or herbal preparations containing phytoestrogens. The latter group does not have a strong enough hormonal effect on the body, but helps to somewhat reduce the severity of the manifestations of menopausal disorders.

Hormone replacement therapy

Efficiency

This is currently one of the popular groups of medications that are used by women to maintain hormonal levels.

These drugs are prescribed exclusively by a specialist, after complete treatment. It is recommended to start treatment with hormonal drugs from this group 1–2 years before the expected onset of menopause, when a woman may notice the appearance of warning signs.

Harbingers of menopause:

disruptions in the menstrual cycle, changes in their character;
frequent headaches;
mood changes;
blood pressure surges;
periodic hot flashes or chills.

In some cases, taking it can begin after the onset of menopause; this can happen if it occurs early, or if such a situation is artificially created. The course of treatment with such drugs is long and continuous.

Hormonal drugs used to replace hormones during menopause have a number of side effects, but nevertheless they help cope with severe complications associated with the onset of menopause. The risk of developing osteoporosis, arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis is reduced, and the number of heart attacks and strokes associated with the onset of menopause is reduced.

Such hormonal preparations for women mainly contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, some may have only an estrogen component.

Contraindications

Has the following contraindications:

Phytohormones

These are herbal preparations that are analogues of synthetic drugs. They are extracts from various plants, in particular extracts of soybeans, clover, legumes and cereals.

They are produced in various dosage forms, which may include drops, tablets, etc.

The main mechanism of their action is to compensate for the lack of female sex hormones in the body. A similar effect is created due to estrogens, which enter the blood and help partially maintain the concentration of hormones.

This is necessary at moments when a woman begins to notice signs of the onset of menopause, which are expressed by disturbances in the cyclicity of menstruation, deterioration in well-being, the appearance of hot flashes, as well as surges in blood pressure and other manifestations.

Features of application:

You need to start taking phytohormones before the complete cessation of menstruation.
In some cases, it is allowed to use them after the onset of menopause.
The course of therapy is usually long and includes daily use.
They cannot completely compensate for the lack of hormones, but they can slightly maintain the level.
In addition, they cannot be used as full-fledged replacement therapy.
The main advantage of phytohormones is that they have a minimal number of side effects. They are also not addictive.

This group includes such products as Klimadinon, Qi-Klim, Menopace, Klimaksan, Remens and others.

Uterine fibroids - SURGERY DOESN'T MEAN!

Every year, 90,000 women undergo surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Just think about these numbers! The important thing is that simply removing fibroids does not cure the disease, so in 15% of cases, fibroids appear again. Fibroids will go away on their own without any surgery if you drink on an empty stomach ordinary herbal mixture...

Modern gynecology cannot do without the use of hormonal drugs. At the same time, the prescription of hormonal drugs often frightens people, since there is a lot of unreliable or outdated information about them. We will try to understand the need to use these drugs and dispel the most common myths about hormone therapy.

Educational program

Hormones are special chemical messengers that regulate the functioning of the entire body. The bulk of hormones are produced in the endocrine glands: the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, the ovaries in women and the testes in men. Hormonal drugs are nothing more than synthetic analogues of our natural hormones.

In obstetrics and gynecology, hormone therapy has been used for a relatively long time and brings quite impressive results, especially today, with the advent of new highly effective hormonal drugs that are free of the serious side effects of their predecessors.

Hormone therapy is necessary in the following cases.

1. To improve the quality of life of women in peri- and postmenopause, as well as after surgical removal of the ovaries.

2. Providing highly effective contraception, which has significantly reduced the number of abortions and their complications.

3. In the development of new reproductive technologies, such as IVF, ICSI, etc.

4. In the conservative treatment of gynecological diseases: uterine fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia and polyposis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual irregularities, etc.

Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone therapy is necessary to maintain the health of a woman during menopause, when the reproductive function of the body decreases and the production of hormones by the ovaries fades. A deficiency of the hormone estrogen provokes disorders of the psychoemotional and physical state. The severity of symptoms depends on genetic factors, lifestyle, and the presence of chronic diseases. The most common include increased heart rate, increased sweating (accompanied by hot flashes), urogenital symptoms (urinary incontinence, dry vaginal mucosa, so-called senile colpitis), weight gain, decreased bone density (osteoporosis), as well as irritability, insomnia, decreased performance. Often, a woman has problems in her sexual life: libido decreases, discomfort during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) occurs.

Hormone replacement therapy is based on replenishing the deficiency or absence of ovarian hormones with medications that are similar in structure and effect, which significantly improves the patient’s quality of life. HRT usually involves taking estrogens and gestagens; in some cases, androgens are additionally prescribed.

Hormonal contraception

Hormonal contraception (oral contraceptives, hormonal IUDs, patches, implants, injectable contraceptives) is a highly effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancy. For contraceptive purposes, synthetic analogues of estrogens and progesterone and their derivatives are used. In addition to the main function of protection, these drugs normalize the menstrual cycle, reduce the likelihood of benign tumors (uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts), and also have a therapeutic effect in the presence of these and other gynecological diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome). The choice of a particular drug is based on a set of criteria, such as age, the woman’s hormonal status, the presence of bad habits (smoking), and must be agreed with the doctor, including to exclude contraindications.

Hormones in the treatment of infertility

Currently, the treatment of infertility and miscarriage is one of the priority areas of obstetrics. The importance of hormonal drugs in the IVF program is difficult to overestimate. Assisted reproductive technologies have become widespread and provide a high percentage of positive results, that is, pregnancies, primarily due to the success of pharmaceutical companies in the development and production of high-tech analogues of endogenous hormones. Thanks to them, it is possible to stimulate superovulation for the development of several dominant follicles. This effect of hormonal drugs, such as inhibition of ovarian function, is also used in IVF protocols to suppress one’s own gonadotropins and create an optimal background for stimulation by exogenous gonadotropins. After transfer of the embryo into the uterine cavity, it is necessary to use progesterone preparations, since its deficiency reduces the likelihood of implantation and can lead to termination of pregnancy in the early stages. In addition, thanks to artificial hormones, it is possible to improve the functioning of the ovaries and get rid of other problems that impede conception (endometrial polyps, endometriosis, etc.).

Main misconceptions

Hormones are prescribed only for very severe illnesses

There is no need to wait until severe, advanced stages of the disease to prescribe hormones. Moreover, competent and timely hormonal correction can get rid of the problem or stop its development when using minimally effective doses and in the shortest possible time.

If you don't take a hormonal pill on time, nothing bad will happen

Hormonal medications, especially contraceptives, must be taken strictly according to the clock. For example, a hormonal contraceptive pill is valid for 24 hours, that is, it must be taken once a day to maintain an effective concentration of the substance in the blood serum. A delay of more than 12 hours can sharply reduce the contraceptive effect, spontaneous ovulation and unplanned pregnancy are possible.

If you take hormones, they accumulate in the body

This is fundamentally wrong, since the requirement to strictly take hormonal medication is precisely due to the fact that when it enters the body, the hormone immediately breaks down into chemical compounds, and they, in turn, are excreted from the body.

Hormonal medications are not prescribed during pregnancy

Discharged. If a woman had hormonal disorders before pregnancy, then during pregnancy she needs medicinal support so that the level of sex hormones is normal and the child develops normally. If necessary, other hormones are also prescribed: thyroid hormones - for hypothyroidism, corticosteroid hormones - for some systemic diseases, to suppress androgens of the adrenal cortex, insulin - for diabetes, etc. Refusal of therapy during pregnancy due to fear of harming the fetus is not has a scientific basis; on the contrary, the fetus suffers in the absence of the necessary correction.

Hormonal drugs have many side effects, primarily weight gain

Preparations of the first and second generation of contraceptives could indeed cause weight gain due to the high content of hormones. Currently, manufacturers produce microdosed contraceptives with a modified structure of active substances, which practically does not provoke weight fluctuations. In addition, you need to understand that there are practically no medications without side effects, and it is necessary to distinguish between side effects that do not require discontinuation of the drug. For example, slight dizziness in the first month of taking, minor (plus or minus 1 kg) fluctuations in weight or swelling of the mammary glands when taking contraceptive hormones are considered normal. Hormonal drugs are prescribed for a fairly long period, the body adapts by the end of the first or second months, and most women do not feel any discomfort.

You can always find an alternative to hormones

Not always. There are situations when hormonal drugs are irreplaceable. Let's say a young woman (under 50 years old) had her ovaries removed, and as a result, she began to quickly age and lose health. In this case, her body needs mandatory support with hormone therapy until she is 55–60 years old. Of course, provided that the underlying disease (due to which the ovaries were removed) has no contraindications to such a prescription.

Hormonal drugs should not be taken for a long time

The main requirement is the correct selection of the hormonal drug. You can take a properly selected drug, subject to annual monitoring, for years without interruption. Long-term use not only has no harmful effects on the body, but, on the contrary, helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, prevents the development of benign diseases of the mammary glands, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and also improves the quality of hair and skin.

The use of hormonal drugs is one of the basic treatment methods in clinical gynecology. After all, it is endocrine regulation that ensures the functional activity and health of the female reproductive system, and also affects the condition of many other target organs. Therefore, tableted hormonal preparations with estrogen can be prescribed even if the patient does not have gynecological complaints.

What are estrogens?

Estrogens are female sex hormones and are of steroid origin. These include three biologically active substances of similar structure and action: estrone, estradiol and estriol. If necessary, they can transform into each other, although not all biochemical transformations are reversible. The main and most active sex hormone in humans is estradiol.

Basically, female hormones estrogens are of ovarian origin, produced in the first half of the menstrual cycle by granulosa and, to a lesser extent, interstitial cells. Some hormones are also synthesized in the adrenal cortex, in the corpus luteum formed after ovulation, and in the placenta (during pregnancy, starting from the 2nd trimester). In addition, the estrogen-secreting role of subcutaneous fat has been proven. But all these additional sources still cannot provide a level of hormone sufficient to compensate for the shutdown of the ovaries.

When do you need pills to increase your estrogen levels?

Currently, estrogen-containing drugs are used for replacement, contraceptive and therapeutic purposes. They can be prescribed by a gynecologist, endocrinologist, or reproductive specialist. In some cases, the primary recommendation on the advisability of their use is given by a therapist, cardiologist, or vertebrologist, which is usually due to the development of quite serious complications of severe hypoestrogenism. In this case, the issue of hormone replacement therapy is usually decided by a committee.

In general, medications containing estrogens may be recommended in the following cases:

In pathological clinically significant conditions directly related to physiological menopause.
and early onset of menopause. The reason for this may be exhausted ovarian syndrome, partial resection of the appendages, the consequences of radiation and chemotherapy.
Post-castration syndrome. It is a consequence of oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), which is often performed as part of complex radical surgical treatment for gynecological oncological diseases.
Hypogonadism, often caused by chromosomal abnormalities.
Hypogenitalism, insufficient development (infantilism) of the external and internal genital organs.
Osteoporosis.
Alopecia and other pathological conditions in women caused by hyperandrogenism of any origin.
Acne (severe forms of the disease that are not amenable to other treatment).
The need for contraception. Pregnancy protection can be carried out either at the request of the woman or on the recommendation of a doctor. For example, birth control pills with estrogen are often prescribed after an abortion, a missed abortion, or surgery on the organs of the reproductive system.
Some forms.
In case of planned IVF with donor native oocytes, to synchronize the cycles of the donor and the recipient woman.
For a number of pregnancy pathologies: postmaturity, weakness of labor.

Estrogen medications must be used strictly in accordance with your doctor's recommendations. Failure to comply with the dosage, duration and regimen of their administration is fraught with the development of pathological changes in target organs.

Estrogen therapy in menopause

Normally, the ovaries produce a sufficient amount of sex hormones throughout the entire reproductive period, starting from the girl’s entry into puberty. A pronounced progressive decrease in estrogen levels means the extinction of generative (childbearing) function and is the cause of the development of key clinical signs of the menopause.

Quite often, the onset of physiological or iatrogenic (associated with medical intervention) menopause is accompanied by severe discomfort and even the formation of clinically significant disorders. And this may require medication correction.

During menopause, estrogens in tablets are used for replacement purposes. The reasons for prescribing them to elderly women may be:

Severe autonomic disorders, significantly worsening the patient’s quality of life.
Osteoporosis. Taking estrogen tablets during menopause can significantly reduce the risk of pathological fractures, which are most often observed in the femoral neck and thoracolumbar vertebrae.
Persistent and often recurrent infectious and inflammatory conditions of the urogenital area. Severe estrogen deficiency is accompanied by atrophy of the mucous membranes of the vagina, vulva and urethra, weakening of the urethral sphincter, and vaginal dysbiosis. All this makes the lower parts of the urinary system vulnerable to infection.
The need to mitigate and contain the progression of cardiovascular pathology during menopause (arterial hypertension, endocrine cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis).

It should be understood that hormonal medications prescribed to women are not intended to eliminate estrogen deficiency, but only to partially correct it. Therefore, even against the background of constant intake of estrogen in tablets, the hormonal background of a woman of menopausal age will not be the same as during the reproductive period.

Contraindications

Contraindications for taking estrogen-containing drugs include:

benign neoplasms of the genital organs;
neoplasms of the mammary glands;
malignant neoplasms (including organs not related to the reproductive system);
endometritis;
hyperestrogenism within the climatic period;
and the associated tendency to menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and polymenorrhea.

The use of hormonal drugs requires not only a preliminary examination of the woman to exclude possible contraindications. Regular monitoring of her condition is also necessary, which will allow the doctor to identify emerging side effects and timely adjust the therapeutic regimen.

Side effects

Adverse events while taking estrogen-containing tablets may be associated with hyperplastic processes in target organs, as well as with the consequences of changes in metabolism and the hemostatic system.

Possible side effects include:

thrombotic and thromboembolic complications (the likelihood of their development increases if a woman has concomitant varicose veins and changes in blood viscosity);
migraine-like pain;
affective instability;
tendency to swelling, which is caused by changes in mineral metabolism with sodium and water retention;
increased risk of developing endometrial cancer and a number of other organs;
the development of cholecystitis and cholangitis, which is associated with changes in cholesterol metabolism and an increase in its concentration in the secreted bile;
liver failure;
dyspeptic manifestations in the form of nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, abdominal discomfort;
engorgement of the mammary glands.

The appearance of any changes in well-being while taking estrogen-containing drugs requires consulting a doctor.

What drugs contain estrogens?

The list of drugs containing estrogens is quite wide. Currently, products of natural origin (isolated from animal urine) and synthetic analogues of sex hormones are produced. In addition, they are divided into conjugated and unconjugated, monocomponent and combined. They can be based on any of the three estrogens.

A separate group includes products containing so-called phytoestrogens - estrogen-like substances of plant origin.

Tablet estrogen-containing drugs include:

all combined oral contraceptives (monophasic and 2-3-phase), including low-dose ones;
Estriol and its analogues (Ovestin, Ovepol);
estradiol (Proginova, Klimara, Estrimax, Estrofem) and ethinyl estradiol (Microfollin).

The choice of drug is made by the doctor. In this case, many factors are taken into account: the objectives of therapy, the presence of concomitant diseases, the condition of target organs, the patient’s age, etc. Unauthorized replacement of the drug recommended by the doctor and correction of the treatment regimen increase the risk of complications.

For other ways to increase estrogen levels, as well as a description of the most common drugs, read the article on.

Anti-inflammatory drugs in gynecology are used to treat candidiasis, damage to the uterine cervix, fibroids, inflammatory processes in the appendages and other specifically female diseases. This group of drugs has a wide range, allowing the specialist to select the drug that is optimal for each specific case, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Characteristics of drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of drugs whose action is aimed at stopping inflammatory processes with the concomitant elimination of pain, swelling and other characteristic symptoms. Efficiency lies in the ability to suppress the formation and transformation of arachidonic acids, which provoke the development of inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the international classification, are divided into the following pharmacological groups:

Antibiotics.
Glucocorticosteroid drugs, which are natural or synthetic hormones of the adrenal cortex (the drugs are indicated exclusively for the treatment of hormonal diseases and are not used in the gynecological field).
Antimycotics.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Biostimulants.

Anti-inflammatory drugs used in the gynecological field are available in the following forms:

Injections.
Rectal suppositories.
Vaginal suppositories.
Pills.

The most popular are rectal and. The choice of a specific drug, its form and dosage are determined by a specialist individually in each specific case. This takes into account factors such as the age and general health of the patient, the presence or absence of concomitant pathologies, the type of disease, its severity and course.

Indications for use

Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to patients with diseases:

Colpitis.
Candidiasis.
Cervical erosion.
and fallopian tubes.
Vaginal dysbiosis.
Acute infectious lesions of the female genitourinary system.
Bacterial vaginosis.
Dysmenorrhea.
Gynecological diseases of a viral or fungal nature.
Chronic diseases of the pelvic organs.
Sexual function disorders.
Reproductive dysfunction.
Endometriosis.
Algodismenorrhea.
Inflammation of the ovaries.
Cervical dysplasia.

Indications for prescribing anti-inflammatory medications are:

Menstrual irregularities.
Painful menstruation.
Excessive vaginal dryness.
Previous surgical interventions in the gynecological field.
Pain in the lower abdomen.

Advantages and contraindications for use

In modern medicine there are a large number of different techniques used to combat gynecological diseases. Drug therapy based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs is widely popular due to its effectiveness and high effectiveness. The advantages of these funds include the following factors:

Elimination of pain syndrome accompanying a number of gynecological diseases.
High degree of effectiveness in terms of eliminating painful symptoms.
Removing and stopping the development of the inflammatory process.

Despite the widespread use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the gynecological field, in some cases their use is strictly not recommended, as this can cause serious damage to health. The main contraindications are:

Pregnancy.
Tendency to allergic reactions.
Individual intolerance to certain drugs or their individual components.
Lactation period.
Kidney failure.
Liver pathologies.
Hemorrhagic stroke.
Ulcerative lesions of the stomach or duodenum.
The patient's age is under 16 years.
Chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Bronchial asthma.
Mental disorders.
Parkinson's disease.
Epilepsy.
Thrombocytopenia.
Hemorrhagic diathesis.
Arterial hypertension.

Possible side effects

Today, drugs are characterized by minimal toxic effects, and if the treatment process is carried out under medical supervision, then the danger to the patient’s health is very insignificant. But side effects are still possible. The most common may be:

Increased risk of developing intestinal bleeding.
Nausea.
Attacks of vomiting.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Painful sensations in the abdominal area.
Allergic skin rashes.
Diarrhea.
Disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

To avoid possible side effects and to prevent health problems, the drug, its dosage and the duration of the therapeutic course must be prescribed by a qualified gynecologist. Following medical recommendations will help minimize risks.

Medicines for gynecological diseases

The following types of anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment:

Suspensions.
Nonsteroidal drugs.
Antibiotics.

Suspensions. Rectal and vaginal suppositories are one of the most popular anti-inflammatory drugs used in gynecology. This is due to their effectiveness, rapid impact and minimum side effects. Most often, suspensions are prescribed for gynecological diseases of a bacterial or fungal nature, inflammatory processes in the uterus, appendages, ovaries and vagina. The following drugs are considered to be the most popular and effective in the treatment of female ailments:

Diclofenac.
Voltaren.
Movalis.
Flamax.
Hexicon.
Ginalgin.
Klion-D.
Metronidazole.
Mikozhinax.
Terzhinan.

Possible side effects of suspensions include:

Flatulence.
Nausea.
Itching and burning sensation.
Constipation.

The use of rectal suppositories is contraindicated for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, cracks, inflammation and bleeding of the anus.

Nonsteroidal drugs have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, capillary protective and antiplatelet effects. In gynecology, these drugs are used for painful menstruation, inflammation of the genital organs, urogenital infections, adhesive lesions of the uterus and endometriosis.

Drugs of this pharmacological group are used as an anesthetic when taking a biopsy, treating uterine pathologies and installing or removing an intrauterine device.

In most cases, gynecologists prescribe the following non-steroidal drugs to patients:

Indomethacin.
Meloxicam.
Diclofenac,
Celecoxib;
Piroxicam.
Nurofen.
Rapten.
Ketoprofen;
Rapid;
Novigan.

The use of non-steroidal drugs is contraindicated for peptic ulcers and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system are among the most common side effects caused by these drugs.

Antibiotics in the gynecological field are used to treat various types of inflammatory processes, colpitis, and erosive lesions. The drugs are prescribed after gynecological surgical interventions. Antibiotics are also prescribed for diagnoses such as gonorrhea, endometritis, tuberculosis of the uterine appendages and perimetritis.

The most common ones include:

Biomycin.
Penicillin.
Cephalosporin.
Streptomycin.

Antibiotic therapy has a lot of contraindications and side effects; it is used exclusively as prescribed by a doctor and is carried out under his strict supervision.

Anti-inflammatory drugs in gynecology are characterized by a wide range of applications and have a high degree of effectiveness in the treatment of a number of diseases.

To achieve favorable results of the therapeutic process, the choice of drug, its dosage and duration of administration should be made only by a doctor.