Female hormonal drugs and pills - Complete list. Hormonal drugs - harm and benefit

In the modern world, every person from birth and almost every day is exposed to various medications. These include painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as medications from other groups, including hormones. Hormonal pills are perhaps the remedy that causes the most concern among patients, their relatives and even doctors. Let's try to understand the pros and cons of treatment with hormonal pills.

It should be noted that the term “hormonal drugs” refers to drugs that recreate the function of special biologically active substances in the human body - hormones themselves. Hormones are produced by endocrine organs, these include the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid, pancreas, gonads and some other glands. These substances enter the blood from the gland and spread throughout the body, which allows hormones to exert their effect even on distant organs and tissues. Hormones are a kind of signaling substances - they allow the body to regulate the actions of all its cells, reducing or increasing their activity. Thus, thanks to hormones, millions of cells in our body are united with each other and adjusted to work efficiently.

Hormones are studied by endocrinology, a separate branch of medicine in which significant progress has recently been made. This is due to the fact that the pharmaceutical industry has learned to produce copies of the hormones of the human body. Hormonal drugs have made it possible to achieve success in the treatment of a number of severe diseases of the endocrine glands, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency, which were previously untreatable and quickly led to the death of the patient. In addition, these drugs are used in the treatment of many diseases of a non-endocrine nature, such as bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, allergies and others. Hormones are also used in healthy people as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancy.

Hormonal drugs have special strength and speed of action. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes or hours after administering the medicine to reduce the symptoms of the disease. Such effectiveness can be dangerous in the hands of a person without special knowledge - hormonal drugs interfere with the body’s metabolism and, if used incorrectly, can lead to its disruption. Another danger posed by hormonal pills is that they may reduce the symptoms of the disease, but not remove the cause, which can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition over time. Hormones in tablets have a fairly high concentration and, if used inappropriately, can lead to a kind of overdose, which is also accompanied by serious consequences for the body (the development of obesity, hypertension, thrombosis, osteoporosis).

Some medications can be bought in pharmacies without a prescription and used without consulting a doctor. This in no way applies to hormonal pills. Hormones are prescribed in all situations only by the attending physician after a preliminary examination and under constant supervision. In case of self-medication, there is a high risk of severe complications. There are many cases in the practice of doctors of almost all specialties when the use of hormonal pills during self-medication threatened the life and health of patients. Therefore, do not use hormones on your own under any circumstances.

Types of hormonal medications

Hormonal pills are an extremely diverse group of medications. Under one name “hormones” drugs with different structures and different effects are combined. To date, there is no unified classification of hormonal drugs. Classification by chemical structure is more often used for scientific purposes. All drugs in this case are divided into three classes: substances of protein and peptide structure, amino acid preparations, and steroid hormones.

For practical activities, it is more convenient to use the classification according to the organ principle. In this case, the following types of hormones are distinguished: preparations of pituitary hormones, preparations that stimulate and inhibit the function of the thyroid glands, preparations of parathyroid hormones, preparations of pancreatic hormones and synthetic hypoglycemic substances, preparations of adrenal cortex hormones and other synthetic analogues, preparations of male and female sex hormones, anabolic steroid. Let's briefly touch on the specific most commonly used hormonal drugs.

They are undoubtedly the leaders in terms of breadth of application. steroids – hormones of the adrenal cortex. These drugs are effective in treating any type of inflammation and swelling. Severe allergic reactions and autoimmune processes (diseases caused by aggression of the immune system against its own tissues) can be completely cured with these drugs. Steroids are widely used in treatment as an aid to relieve swelling, redness, and pain. Even if the cause of the disease is unknown, steroids can have at least a temporary effect, removing unpleasant symptoms. Drugs in this group are prednisolone, dexamethasone, metipred and others. If for some reason the patient refuses the steroids prescribed to him, a sharp deterioration of the condition and progression of the disease develops. Thus, with bronchial asthma, attacks of suffocation may become more frequent, and even status asthmaticus may develop, when gas exchange in the lungs drops significantly and the patient’s life is threatened. In case of adrenal insufficiency, refusal of steroids leads to a sharp drop in blood pressure, collapse develops and the patient may die. Of course, you cannot prescribe such pills yourself. Indeed, with unreasonable use, steroids cause the development of male-type obesity (fat accumulates mainly in the abdominal area), hypertension can occur (pressure increases above 140/90 mmHg), the concentration of sugar in the blood increases and diabetes develops.

All over the world, another hormone is used to treat diabetes mellitus - insulin(today it is used only in the form of a solution and is injected subcutaneously with a needle). This powerful remedy helps lower blood sugar levels to normal and avoid severe complications of the disease (blindness, myocardial infarction, gangrene, etc.). Other than insulin, other glucose-lowering drugs are not hormones and do not have such significant effectiveness. Sometimes athletes use insulin as a strong anabolic hormone - it promotes weight gain and glucose absorption. Such use is dangerous due to the development of hypoglycemic coma - i.e. blood sugar may drop to 2.2 mmol/l or lower. As a result, a person loses consciousness and brain cells, which so need a constant normal level of blood glucose, begin to die. Even if help comes on time and the patient wakes up, in the future he may be bothered by a decrease in memory, intelligence, and frequent headaches.

In the treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland when its function decreases, it is used hormones levothyroxine sodium and triiodothyronine. With a lack of these substances in the body, obesity, atherosclerosis, anemia develops, and intelligence decreases. Timely treatment with hormones helps to avoid such consequences. If you refuse to take the necessary pills, even a young patient’s metabolism slows down, excess weight is deposited, blood cholesterol levels rise, and constant fatigue, fatigue, and apathy occur. It is not recommended to use thyroid hormones on your own - if they are overdosed or unjustifiably prescribed, the heart may suffer. Thus, the development of heart rhythm disturbances and myocardial infarction is likely.

Hormonal contraception(protection from unwanted pregnancy) is currently recognized as the most reliable. In this case, special combinations of female sex hormones are used to prevent ovulation and, accordingly, conception. Self-prescribed pills, if chosen incorrectly, can cause bleeding in a woman, thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities, and liver damage. And with the right selection, you can get rid of acne, oily hair, cysts and some gynecological problems.

So, you see that hormone preparations are extremely diverse and their actions are different. However, for most people, all hormones and treatment with them seem to be something dangerous and undesirable. This attitude towards drugs has developed historically and today is no longer always justified due to progress in pharmacology and medicine. But myths about hormones continue to live in the public consciousness. Most often you can encounter the following erroneous statements.

Myths and truth about hormonal pills

Firstly, “hormonal pills lead to obesity”. This statement may only be true to some extent regarding steroids, insulin and sex hormones. In case of an overdose, they can lead to some weight gain. So, when starting hormonal contraception, a woman can gain up to 2 kg. In this case, a proper diet is quite effective. As for other drugs, they do not significantly affect weight and can even lead to some weight loss (for example, like thyroid hormones).

The second myth sounds even scarier: “hormones are addictive”. Indeed, if you introduce a hormone into the body, your glands temporarily stop producing it, but after stopping the drug, this function will gradually be restored. The important thing here is to slowly wean off any hormonal medication, reducing the dose over several weeks under the supervision of medical personnel. A completely different situation arises if some gland loses the ability to produce a hormone (for example, insulin in type 1 diabetes) - in this case, the drug will have to be administered for life.

Another myth - “only extremely severe diseases are treated with hormones”. This is not always the case. Hormones are used to treat relatively mild diseases (some thyroid diseases) and to treat severe conditions (for example, anaphylactic shock). Even healthy women use hormones to prevent pregnancy. It turns out that the severity of the disease has nothing to do with the use of such drugs. These are the main myths about hormonal pills.

How to take hormonal pills

Hormonal pills require a punctual attitude: take them strictly at the appointed time, try not to miss a dose, and do not change the dose and duration of treatment yourself. If you missed a pill, next time you should not take two pills at once. In this case, your actions should be in accordance with the instructions for your medicine, they are slightly different depending on the hormonal drug you are taking. Some hormonal pills should be taken at a strictly defined time of day - L-thyroxine, for example, is taken only in the morning and only on an empty stomach to ensure its full absorption and distribution throughout the body.

These simple rules will help you and your doctor in treating diseases that require hormonal therapy.

You can only obtain accurate information about your disease and the medications that will be prescribed (including hormones) from your attending physician. Advice from friends and medical articles should not be taken as a guide to action. Such information can only be used after consulting with a specialist. Hormonal pills can do more harm than good if prescribed unjustifiably, even against the background of good health.

Including women who decide to give preference to hormonal contraception, you should first visit a gynecologist. There are a number of contraindications to this type of protection: thromboembolic diseases, deep vein thrombosis, vascular diseases, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, complicated diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors, severe liver dysfunction, acute viral hepatitis. In addition, a specific drug with the required concentration of active substances (female sex hormones) will depend on the patient’s age, her bad habits, planned future pregnancy, and much more.

Drugs for the treatment of diseases of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and pancreas are always selected by an endocrinologist, based on your hormone tests and symptoms. You cannot treat such diseases on your own. If the doctor has already prescribed the drug, you should not refuse to take hormones under the influence, for example, of the myths discussed above. The right treatment will help maintain your health and protect yourself from serious complications in the future.

Thus, the correct use of hormonal pills prescribed by a doctor is quite safe and effective.

Endocrinologist Tsvetkova I.G.

Hormonal drugs- medicines containing hormones or their synthetic analogues and used for hormone therapy. There are hormonal preparations containing natural hormones (made from fresh or freshly frozen glands of slaughter cattle, blood and urine of animals and humans), synthetic hormonal preparations and their derivatives; synthetic analogues of hormones that differ in chemical structure from natural hormones, but have the same physiological effect.

Hormonal preparations are used in the form of aqueous and oily solutions for subcutaneous, intramuscular administration, in the form of tablets, ointments, etc. The specific activity of hormonal preparations from animal raw materials is determined by comparison with the activity of standard preparations (biological standardization) and is expressed in units of action (AU).

Hormonal drugs are very harmful to health and should not be used under any circumstances. Wrong 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). You should not self-prescribe hormones (or any other medications). These drugs are prescription drugs, they 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 of age. A completely wrong 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 medications. 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 stopping taking the drugs. 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.

Breastfeeding mothers should not take hormones. This statement is true only for some tablets that affect lactation. However, there are tablets containing only a small amount of the first hormone (“mini-drink”), which 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.

You can gain a lot of weight from hormonal pills. 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. 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 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.

Hormonal medications are not prescribed to pregnant women. 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).

Taking hormones reduces libido. Most women who take hormonal drugs note an increase in sexual desire, explaining this by the fact that there is no fear of an unwanted pregnancy. If, when using hormones, sexual desire decreases, you can always change the contraceptive you are using to another one with less progesterone.

Female hormones play an important role and affect the functioning of the entire body. More and more women are faced with the problem of hormonal imbalance. One of the most pressing issues is adjusting hormone concentrations. Female sex hormones in tablets or female hormonal preparations should be taken only under the strict supervision of a doctor; self-medication may have irreversible processes.

Classification of hormonal drugs

Female hormone pills are prescribed to solve a wide variety of health problems. Female sex hormones in tablets (both synthetic and natural) are divided into 4 broad groups:

estrogens (steroid);
estrogens (non-steroidal);
progesterones, gestagens, as well as analogues;
combined hormones.

Female hormonal pills taken by the patient uncontrollably can cause serious complications in the body. As a result, these consequences will become irreversible.

Estrogen drugs

Ovarian follicles produce estrogens, natural sex hormones. These substances contribute to the normal functioning and development of the female body. Estrogens affect systems and organs, therefore, after using estrogen-based drugs, the following processes can occur in the body:

Endometrial proliferation;
Development and growth of the uterus;
Active formation of sexual characteristics of the secondary type;
Stabilization of the general condition of the body, help to cope with disorders that arise due to functional failure of the ovaries during menopause or radical surgical intervention in women’s health;
Participate in the formation and maintenance of bone strength.

Interestingly, osteoporosis (bone fragility) occurs most often during menopause or during surgical intervention in the functioning of the ovaries. As a result, the likelihood of pathological fractures significantly increases.

If we take into account the effects of estrogen use, the tablets can be taken for the following conditions:

Menstrual irregularities (for example, amenorrhea) in women of childbearing age.
Underdeveloped genitals.
Weakly expressed secondary sexual characteristics or their complete absence.
Disorder after surgery to remove the ovaries and during menopause.
Infertility.
Problems with labor.
Post-term pregnancy (over 42 weeks).
For the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis during menopause.

Synthetic female hormonal drugs are increasingly being used. Medicines of natural origin (conjugated estrogens) also do not lose their popularity. Female sex hormones in tablets are presented on the pharmacological market in the following drugs:

Estroferm;
Premarin;
Climacterin;
Szigetin;
Sinestrol.

When using estrogen drugs, a woman must be under the constant supervision of her doctor. Long-term use of such drugs can cause uterine bleeding of varying intensity, tumor formation, and endometrial growth. Estrogen medications are prescribed for the following situations:

the appearance of neoplasms in people under 60 years of age;
pathological conditions of the mammary glands (various forms of mastopathy);
inflammatory processes in the endometrium;
menopause period.

Premarin

Refers to products that are based on conjugated estrogen. Premarin is popular among women, but it should be taken with extreme caution. Contraindications to taking Premarin include diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, hypertension, central nervous system pathologies, and hereditary metabolic pathologies. An absolute contraindication to taking Premarin is pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The effect of the drug is significantly reduced when taken simultaneously with rifampicin, butadione, and barbiturates. The medicine is prescribed to patients for the following conditions:

Disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries.
Decreased bone strength (osteoporosis) during menopause;
Unstable menstrual cycle, absence of menstruation;
Menopausal disorders;
Neoplasms in the prostate.

Female hormonal pills (estrogen, progesterone) can bring both benefit and harm. Much in this case depends on the correct application.

Estroferm

The lack of natural estrogens can be compensated with the help of the drug Estroferm, which stabilizes the functioning of the ovaries and also reduces the severity of adverse symptoms during menopause. The drug is not a contraceptive, so it cannot protect against unplanned pregnancy.

If taking the drug has not been able to normalize the menstrual cycle, and the discharge continues to be irregular, additional studies should be performed to determine the exact cause of the hormone imbalance in the body.

With long-term treatment with the use of the drug Estroferm, there is a need to undergo regular preventive examinations. The medication should be stopped if:

the functioning of the cardiovascular system worsens (blood clots appear, stagnation of blood circulation occurs, blood pressure rises);
yellowness of the sclera and skin is observed;
vision deteriorates;
surgery is planned.

Progesterone, gestagens and their analogues

Progesterone is a hormonal substance of the corpus luteum. It stimulates the appearance of changes in the uterine mucosa, which are characteristic of the secretory phase of the monthly cycle. During pregnancy, it changes the mucous membrane to create optimal conditions for the development of a fertilized egg. Progesterone also significantly affects the reduction in contraction and excitability of smooth muscle fibers of the fallopian tubes and uterus, and has a stimulating effect on the excretory ducts of the mammary glands during lactation.

Progesterone of synthetic origin has a similar effect. In most cases, the drug is tolerated without side effects, but sometimes there is an increase in blood pressure, as well as swelling of the legs.

If we talk about female hormonal pills that contain progesterone, we can name the following medications:

Norkolut;
Turinal;
Pregnin;
Postinor.

Progesterone and hormone analogues are used for the development of pathological processes in the liver, the appearance of tumors in the mammary glands and reproductive organs, and when there is a risk of blood clots.

Pregnin

Pregnin is a hormonal agent. This drug is made on the basis of progesterone of synthetic origin. The therapeutic and biological effect of this medicine is almost identical to that of the natural hormone produced by the corpus luteum. But there is confirmation that Pregnin has low activity compared to the natural hormone (at least 5 times).

The main feature of the product is that it retains its therapeutic effect and activity when taken orally at a high level. Pregnin is not recommended for use if there is a threat of miscarriage or an incipient miscarriage. Pregnin can be prescribed for the following conditions:

Low functional activity of the corpus luteum;
The occurrence of uterine bleeding due to disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries;
Lack of menstruation;
Scanty menstruation, short periods;
Painful sensations during menstruation;
Infertility therapy with a combination of progesterone and estrogens.

The Pregnin tablet must be placed sublingually (under the tongue) and wait until the product dissolves. The product should be absorbed in the oral cavity. This allows for a high therapeutic effect compared to swallowing and absorption through the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Some hormonal medications for women can be purchased without a prescription. At the same time, you should not use such drugs without prior consultation with a specialist.

Norkolut

Norkolut is a progestin drug. It is based on norestyrsterone and has high activity when taken orally. The dosage of the drug is selected individually for each patient. This makes the treatment highly effective and also avoids side effects. So, when should you use Norkolut:

Premenstrual disorders;
Irregular menstrual cycle, during which a reduction in the secretory phase is observed;
Pain in the mammary glands;
Endometriosis (overgrowth of the uterine lining);
Irregular and heavy periods;
Menopausal bleeding from the internal genital organs;
Benign formations in the uterus.

As for side effects, the following conditions may be observed when using the product: headache, rash, nausea, weight gain, itching, increased fatigue, and swelling of the mammary glands.

Before starting treatment with Norkolut, you should undergo an examination. This is important to completely exclude malignant tumors in the genitals or breasts.

Postinor

Postinor, which is created on the basis of progesterone of synthetic origin, is rightfully recognized as one of the most popular contraceptives today. Clinical studies of Postinor made it possible to establish that the drug protects against unplanned pregnancy by 85%.

Postinor should be taken according to the instructions. Its effectiveness depends on how quickly the drug is taken after intimacy.

If Postinor is taken within a few hours after sexual intercourse, then protection against pregnancy is 95%, which indicates a high level of effectiveness of the drug. When taking Postinor after 2-3 days, the effectiveness is reduced to 60%. If you take the drug according to the instructions, then it will not have any negative effect on blood clotting and metabolism in the body. Taking Postinor is contraindicated:

Children under 16 years old.
For those who have pathological processes in the liver, there is a pronounced lack of functioning of the organ.
Hereditary severe diseases (lactose intolerance).
High sensitivity to the main component of the drug.

Postinor has an effect before implantation (introduction) of the fertilized egg into the uterus, but after this the drug loses its effectiveness.

Combined hormonal drugs

Scientists have been able to use progestins and estrogens (as well as agents with a similar spectrum of action) to create hormonal combination drugs that are used to eliminate disorders during menopause and, if necessary, to treat cancer. Basically, such hormonal drugs for women are used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for preventive measures. But it is worth remembering that hormonal drugs have side effects on the body.

The use of hormonal drugs (contraceptives are also included in this list) should only be under the supervision of a doctor. In pharmacies you can purchase the following combined hormonal pills for women, created on the basis of progesterone, estrogen and analogues of these substances:

Ovidon;
Rigevidon;
Lindiol;
Divina;
Pregestrol;
Desmoulins.

Ovidon

Belongs to the group of combined hormonal contraceptives that provide protection against unwanted pregnancy. Ovidone is available without a prescription, but the opinion of a gynecologist should still be taken into account. The specialist will give advice on the correct use and dosage of hormonal pills.

Ovidone is used not only as a contraceptive, but also to eliminate menstrual irregularities and relieve painful symptoms.

At the beginning of taking the drug, you may experience nausea, headaches, vomiting, weight fluctuations, increased fatigue, skin rashes, and bleeding from the genitals. Stop taking the pills if pregnancy occurs, venous thrombosis occurs, blood circulation deteriorates, vision decreases, and any exacerbations of chronic diseases. Women over 35 years of age should take the drug with caution.

Pregestrol

This drug is also included in the group of combined drugs. Pregestrol consists of two active ingredients - ethinyl estradiol and pregnyl. The same substances are included in the foreign analogues of the drug - Lutestrol and Klimovan.

The drug is also used to eliminate anovulation (when, in the second phase of the cycle, a mature egg does not leave the ovary). Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor after studying the individual picture of the disease. The number and duration of therapeutic measures depend on the woman’s health condition and the effectiveness of previous courses of treatment.

Side effects when taking this hormonal drug may include increased fatigue and mood swings. Long-term treatment with Pregestrol may cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (androgenic activity).

If you observe unusual conditions, side symptoms and signs, you should consult a doctor. Pregestrol is not used after gynecological operations to eliminate tumors.

Summing up

Hormonal pills for women are potent medications. The pharmacological industry today has been able to synthesize all the substances that are produced by the endocrine glands. Hormonal drugs for women have found their use in obstetrics and gynecology. These drugs are used for pregnancy planning, treatment, and preventive measures. The regimen according to which patients take these medications is drawn up by the doctor. He selects the most effective drug, determines its dosage and course duration.

Your doctor will prescribe how to take hormonal pills, but self-medication can lead to disastrous consequences.

Sex hormones for women play a very important role in their bodies. But recently, hormonal disorders have become quite common, which can be associated with poor ecology, constant stress and other negative factors. To bring the content of these elements back to normal, special preparations were developed - female hormones in tablets. They not only help a woman be healthy and beautiful, but also protect her from unwanted pregnancy.

Main sex hormones

The most significant hormones in women are progesterone and estrogen. The ovaries produce estrogen, which affects the health and puberty of the fair sex. In addition, this hormone affects the formation of a woman’s figure and the gentleness of her character. If the body suffers from a lack of estrogen, then it begins to age quickly, but too much of it can lead to various disorders and diseases, such as excess weight or, worse, benign tumors. Progesterone is also important for women’s health, because the distribution of adipose tissue, the formation of mammary glands, genital organs, and the development of the embryo depend on it. The production of this hormone occurs in the corpus luteum of the ovaries and the placenta.

Use of hormonal drugs

To eliminate hormonal imbalances in a girl’s body, it is used in tablets. This is necessary, since an unstable one can provoke serious consequences, such as sudden changes in blood pressure, menstrual irregularities, chronic fatigue, digestive system disorders, and headaches. Everything will be reflected in your appearance: acne, acne may appear, your hair becomes greasy, your skin begins to peel. They are also often used as contraceptives, which helps avoid unwanted pregnancy. It is thanks to this that female hormones in tablets are widely used.

Types of hormonal drugs

Hormonal drugs produced in tablet form can be divided into two types:

It should be noted that it is necessary to take drugs of this kind only if they have been prescribed by an endocrinologist or gynecologist. After all, improper use of hormonal drugs can cause serious harm to a woman’s body.

Hormonal drugs are medications containing hormones or substances that exhibit effects similar to hormonal ones. Natural hormonal medicines are obtained from the glands, blood and urine of animals, as well as from human blood and urine.

Synthetic hormones are produced in pharmacological workshops and laboratories. They can be either structural analogues of true hormones, or differ from them in chemical structure, but exhibit a similar effect.

Almost the largest number of threatening myths have been created around hormonal pills for various purposes: patients are afraid of infertility, weight gain, excess body hair growth, and loss of potency. The list of negative ones is scary and alarming.

How true are the myths, and what types of hormonal therapy are there?

Hormonal drugs are classified depending on their origin (producing gland) and purpose. Based on their origin, medications are divided into:

adrenal hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, glucocorticoids, androgens);
pancreatic preparations (insulin);
pituitary hormones (TSH, human gonadotropins, oxytocin, vasopressin, etc.);
thyroid and parathyroid hormones;
sex hormones (estrogens, androgens, etc.).

Human hormones regulate metabolism in the body. However, if the functioning of one of the organs of the endocrine system is disrupted, the perfectly adjusted mechanism of correction and interaction may fail, which will have to be corrected by introducing synthetic analogs of hormones.

According to their intended purpose, hormonal drugs are divided into:

synthetic substances for replacement therapy (sodium levothyroxine, insulin, estrogens);
hormonal contraception (synthetic analogues of estrogen and progesterone);
hormonal agents that inhibit the production of hormones (for example, therapy with pituitary hormone analogues for prostate cancer);
symptomatic medications (anti-inflammatory, antiallergic drugs).

Hormonal drugs often also include antidiabetic and other non-hormonal drugs.

What is treated with hormonal medications?

Hormone-based medications are used for both chronic and treatable conditions. You cannot do without the help of hormonal drugs when:

hypothyroidism;
hyperthyroidism;
diabetes mellitus type 1, sometimes type 2;
hormone-dependent tumors of the reproductive system;
prostate cancer;
asthma and other diseases associated with the immune response to allergens (including allergic rhinitis);
endometriosis;
hormonal imbalances;
menopause;
sleep disorders;
other diseases associated with hypofunction of the glands.

Inflammation and allergic manifestations are treated with glucocorticoids. Drugs based on them - Prednisolone, Metipred, Dexamethasone - reduce inflammation and suppress leukocyte function.

They can be used both internally (if systemic action is necessary) and externally (for hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, dermatological diseases, allergic rhinitis). When used externally, they are practically not absorbed into the main bloodstream and do not have a negative effect on the body.

Even if the cause of inflammation is unknown, adrenal hormones help relieve swelling, pain and redness. Hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the vital drugs.

Vasopressin and epinephrine may be administered along with anesthetics. Due to their property of constricting blood vessels, these hormones are actively used in anesthesia (including local).

Melatonin also belongs to hormonal drugs. This substance, produced in, has an anti-stress effect, regulates circadian rhythms, affects metabolism, slows down the processes of aging and weight gain, and also stimulates the production of antibodies to infectious agents and tumor cells.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

For chronic conditions associated with dysfunction of the glands or their partial removal, medications with synthetic and natural hormones provide high quality and longevity of the patient’s life.

There are several types of hormone replacement therapy:

treatment with synthetic thyroid hormones;
insulin therapy;
taking analogues of sex hormones.

Deficiency and excess of thyroxine and triiodothyronine are fraught with disturbances in mood, sleep, dry skin, problems with memory and performance, proliferation of glandular tissue and other unpleasant symptoms.

Clinical hypothyroidism is most often associated with diseases and tumors of the thyroid gland, therefore replacement therapy with iodine-containing hormone analogues is prescribed for life.

Substitution therapy uses drugs such as:

"Euthirox";
“L-thyroxine” (one of the Russian or German brands).

Treatment of hyperthyroidism has a somewhat more complex scheme: to reduce the synthesis of one’s own iodine-containing hormones, thyreostatics are used, and in particularly difficult cases, removal of part of the gland or radioiodine therapy is justified. Then the normal level of triiodothyronine is restored with the help of their synthetic analogues.

Insulin is a hormone of β-cells of the pancreas, the main task of which is to reduce blood glucose levels by regulating its entry into cells and stimulating the conversion of monosaccharides into glycogen.

Impaired functionality of the cells that secrete this hormone is called type 1 diabetes. Patients with such pathology are necessarily prescribed replacement therapy with the drugs “Humodar”, “Apidra”, “Novorapid”, “Actrapid”, “Humulin”, “Insulin Lente”, etc.

For type 2 diabetes, which is associated with impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin, hormone administration may also be prescribed.

Finally, female hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is a pharmacological replacement of the function of the sex glands (ovaries) lost during their removal or menopause. The most commonly used drugs are:

"Climodien";
"Divina";
"Ovestin";
"Trisquence";
"Femoston";
"Estrofem" and others.

During treatment, androgens, estrogens and gestagens can be used (mainly the last two subtypes of hormones are used in the drugs).

Oral contraception

Oral contraceptives are the most well-known hormonal pills for women. The action of OCs is based on their ability to prevent ovulation (the maturation of the egg and its release from the follicle). Synthetic hormones thicken the mucus on the cervix, which complicates the movement of sperm, and also thin the uterine lining (endometrium), which prevents the fertilized egg from firmly attaching.

The triple mechanism of action of hormones reliably protects the patient from unwanted pregnancy: the Pearl index for oral contraceptives (the percentage of pregnancies that occur while taking OCs) does not exceed 1%.

When using oral contraceptives, menstrual bleeding does not stop, but becomes more regular, less heavy and painful. A certain regimen of hormones allows, if necessary, to delay the onset of menstruation.

Modern contraceptives are classified into three categories:

Single-component preparations (Continuin, Micronor, Charozetta, Exluton).
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs). COCs are the most reliable means. They contain synthetic estrogen () and progestogen (levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norgestrel, etc.).
Postcoital (emergency) hormonal tablets (Postinor, Escapelle). Emergency contraceptives contain an increased dose of hormones, but are less effective.

The dosages of active hormones in modern contraceptives are much lower than in drugs of the last century, so the side effects of taking estrogen do not appear or appear only slightly.

Combined hormonal contraceptives

COCs are divided into mono-, two- and three-phase. Single-phase COC tablets contain a strictly defined amount of hormones, which does not change during the cycle. Multiphase products are designed to be more physiological: the dosages of the active ingredients in tablets are not the same for different days of the cycle.

Three-phase COCs (with three types of tablets changing per cycle) are often recommended by doctors, but two-phase drugs are practically not used.

Combined contraceptives:

Preparation	Active ingredient	Country of origin
Monophasic COCs
Microgynon		Germany
Miniziston		Germany
Regividon		Hungary
Novinet	Ethinyl estradiol, desogestrel	Hungary
Mercilon		Netherlands
Regulon		Hungary
Marvelon		Netherlands
Jess	Drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol	Germany
Dimia		Hungary
Yarina		Germany
Logest	Ethinyl estradiol, gestodene	Germany
Lindinet 30	Ethinyl estradiol, gestodene	Hungary
Diana-35	Ethinyl estradiol, cyproterone acetate	Germany
Three-phase COCs
Tri-regol	Levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol	Hungary
Triquilar		Germany
Triziston		Germany

Different dosages of the active substance (levonorgestrel) allow you to adapt to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and provide a high degree of protection against unplanned pregnancy at low concentrations.

Hormonal products for men

Male hormonal drugs are classified into drugs for gaining muscle mass, drugs directly to suppress the pathological process, and hormones for replacement therapy.

In practice, hormones from the adrenal glands (in particular testosterone), pancreas (insulin) and the anterior pituitary gland (somatropin or growth hormone) are actively used. They are used to form muscle relief, accelerate weight gain and burn fat. Taking hormonal drugs without a doctor's prescription has a number of negative consequences, including damage to the excretory system and possible gynecomastia (swelling of the mammary glands) due to the conversion of excess testosterone into the female hormone estrogen.

For medical purposes, hormonal drugs are used for hormone-dependent tumors (for example, prostate cancer). Injections with analogues of pituitary hormones sharply reduce the production of testosterone, which accelerates the growth of malignant neoplasms. This procedure is called "medical castration." The introduction of hormones makes it possible to slow down the development of the tumor and resort to more radical methods of treatment. Despite the threatening name, patients should not fear that the procedure is irreversible: some time after the end of treatment, erectile function and normal testosterone levels are restored.

Male hormone replacement therapy can be used both when the gland that produces them is completely removed, or when its functionality is reduced. After 40-45 years, the level of testosterone in a man’s blood begins to decline, which leads to problems in the sexual sphere. To restore potency, the following drugs are used:

“Testosterone Undecanoate” and “Andriol” (tablets with one active ingredient – testosterone undecanoate);
"Sustanon" (injection solution with four active ingredients - esters - decanoate, isocaproate, phenylpropionate and);
"Nebido" (injectable oil solution of testosterone undecanoate);
“Androgel” (a product for external use, the active ingredient is testosterone).

After complete removal of the testicles (due to a tumor of the prostate or gonad), replacement therapy is mandatory.

Attitudes towards hormonal drugs among people who are unfamiliar with medical reference books are predictably biased. Many drugs in this group have strong and a number of contraindications - for example, with long-term use of Prednisolone, rapid weight gain occurs, the face of a patient receiving premedication with this drug swells.

However, this is not a reason to refuse any product containing hormones, including effective birth control pills. By following a few simple rules, the risk of complications from taking hormonal drugs is minimized.

Rules for taking hormonal drugs (GP):

You cannot take GP without a prescription from your attending physician (endocrinologist or gynecologist). Particularly dangerous when self-prescribed are drugs that are classified as synthetic analogues of adrenal hormones.
Before prescribing hormonal treatment to a patient or patient, the specialist must carefully study the medical history, the results of blood tests for the concentration of sex hormones and biochemical parameters, the results of pelvic ultrasound, mammography, and cytological smear. It is necessary to inform your doctor about existing chronic diseases: some of them are contraindications to taking COCs and other synthetic drugs.
You should inform your doctor about any changes in your health status.
Having missed a dose of the drug, it is strictly forbidden to “compensate” for negligence with a double dose of the drug at the next dose.
It is necessary to take hormone tablets strictly at the same time with minimal errors. Some medications (for example, L-thyroxine) are taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.
The duration of the course and dosage (including its changes during treatment) are determined by the attending physician.

The effectiveness and safety of hormonal treatment depends on the competence of the endocrinologist, the interaction of the doctor with the patient and strict adherence to the rules for taking medications.