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

In the modern world, every person from birth and almost daily is faced with various drugs. These are painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as drugs 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 of the human body - the hormones themselves. Hormones are produced by endocrine organs, these include the adrenal glands, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, pancreas, sex and some other glands. These substances come from the gland into the blood and spread throughout the body, which allows hormones to exert their effect even on distant organs and tissues. Hormones are a kind of signal 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 unite with each other and are configured to work effectively.

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, adrenal insufficiency, which previously could not be treated 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 protection from unwanted pregnancy.

Hormonal drugs have a special power and speed of action. Sometimes it takes only a few minutes or hours after the drug is administered to reduce the manifestations of the disease. Such efficiency can be dangerous in the hands of a person without special knowledge - hormonal drugs interfere with the body's metabolism and, if used improperly, can lead to its disruption. Another danger coming from hormonal pills is that they can reduce the symptoms of the disease, but not remove the cause, which can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition after a while. Hormones in tablets have a fairly high concentration and, if used ineptly, can lead to a kind of overdose, which is also accompanied by serious consequences for the body (development of obesity, hypertension, thrombosis, osteoporosis).

Some drugs can be bought in pharmacies without a prescription and used without consulting a doctor. This in no way can apply to hormonal pills. Hormonal drugs are prescribed in all situations only by the attending physician after a preliminary examination and under constant monitoring. In the 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 in self-treatment threatened the life and health of patients. Therefore, in no case do not use hormones on your own.

Types of hormonal drugs

Hormonal pills are an extremely diverse group of drugs. Under the same name "hormones" are combined drugs with different structures, different effects. To date, there is no single 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 a protein and peptide structure, amino acid preparations, hormones of a steroid nature.

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 depress the function of the thyroid glands, preparations of parathyroid hormones, preparations of pancreatic hormones and synthetic hypoglycemic substances, preparations of hormones of the adrenal cortex 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.

In terms of breadth of application, they are definitely in the lead steroids - hormones of the adrenal cortex. These drugs are effective in treating any kind of inflammation and swelling. Severe allergic reactions and autoimmune processes (diseases caused by the aggression of the immune system against its own tissues) can be completely cured with these drugs. As an aid to relieve swelling, redness, pain, steroids are widely used in the treatment. Even if the cause of the disease is unknown, steroids can have at least a temporary effect, removing unpleasant symptoms. The 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 in the condition develops, the disease progresses. So, with bronchial asthma, asthma attacks can become more frequent, and even asthmatic status develops, when gas exchange in the lungs drops significantly and the patient's life is threatened. With adrenal insufficiency, the rejection of steroids leads to a sharp drop in blood pressure, a collapse develops and the patient may die. Of course, you can not prescribe such pills to yourself. Indeed, with unreasonable use, steroids cause the development of male-type obesity (fat accumulates mainly in the abdomen), hypertension may occur (pressure rises above 140/90 mm Hg), blood sugar concentration increases and diabetes develops.

Worldwide, another hormone is used to treat diabetes - insulin(today it is used only in the form of a solution and is injected subcutaneously with a needle). This powerful tool helps to lower blood sugar levels to normal and avoid severe complications of the disease (blindness, myocardial infarction, gangrene, etc.). Other hypoglycemic drugs except insulin are not hormones and do not have such significant efficiency. Sometimes athletes use insulin as a strong anabolic hormone - it promotes weight gain, glucose uptake. Such use is dangerous for the development of hypoglycemic coma - i.e. blood sugar may drop to 2.2 mmol/l and below. 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 disturbed by a decrease in memory, intelligence, and frequent headaches.

In the treatment of thyroid diseases with a decrease in its function, the hormones levothyroxine sodium and triiodothyronine. With a lack of these substances in the body, obesity, atherosclerosis, anemia develop, and intelligence decreases. Timely prescribed hormone treatment helps to avoid such consequences. If you refuse to take the right pills, even a young patient's metabolism slows down, excess weight is deposited, blood cholesterol levels rise, constant fatigue, fatigue, and apathy occur. It is not recommended to use thyroid hormones on your own - if they are overdosed or unreasonably prescribed, the heart may suffer. So the development of cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction is likely.

Hormonal contraception(prevention of 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 with the wrong choice can cause bleeding in a woman, thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities, and liver damage. And with the right selection - 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 seems to be something dangerous and undesirable. Such an 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 mass consciousness. The most common misconceptions you will encounter are:

Myths and truth about hormonal pills

Firstly, "hormonal pills lead to obesity". This statement can be true to some extent only with respect to steroids, insulin and sex hormones. It is they who, in case of an overdose, can lead to some weight gain. So, at the beginning of hormonal contraception, a woman can add up to 2 kg. In this case, the correct diet is quite effective. As for the rest of the drugs, they do not significantly affect weight and may even lead to some weight loss (for example, like thyroid hormones).

The second myth sounds even scarier: "hormones are addictive". Indeed, if a hormone is introduced into the body, its glands temporarily stop producing it, but after the drug is discontinued, this function will gradually recover. Here it is important to slowly cancel any hormonal drug, reducing the dose over several weeks under the supervision of medical personnel. A completely different situation develops if some gland loses its ability to produce a hormone (for example, insulin in type 1 diabetes mellitus) - in this case, the drug will have to be administered for life.

Another myth is “hormones treat only extremely serious diseases”. It is not always so. Hormones are used both to treat relatively mild illnesses (certain thyroid disorders) and to treat severe conditions (such as 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 hormone pills

Hormonal pills require a punctual attitude: take them strictly at the appointed time, try not to miss a dose, do not change the dose and duration of the course of treatment yourself. If the pill was missed, the next time you should not take two pills at once. In this case, your actions should follow the instructions for your medication, 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 the treatment of diseases requiring hormone therapy.

You can get exact information about your disease and the drugs that will be prescribed (including hormones) only from your doctor. Advice from friends and medical articles should not be taken as a guide to action. Such information can only be used in consultation with a specialist. Hormonal pills can do more harm than good if prescribed unreasonably, even against the background of good health.

Including women who decide to give preference to hormonal contraception, you must 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 desired concentration of active ingredients (female sex hormones) will depend on the patient's age, her bad habits, future pregnancy and much more.

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

Thus, the correct use of hormonal tablets 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 slaughtered 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 expressed in units of action (ED).

Hormonal drugs are very harmful to health, they should not be used in any case. Wrong opinion. Hormonal drugs have a diverse systemic effect on the body, and, like any other medicine, they can cause side effects. However, abortion, from which these drugs protect almost 100 percent, is much more dangerous for a woman's health.

I will take those hormonal drugs that helped my friend (sister, acquaintance). You should not self-administer hormones (as well as any other drugs). These drugs are prescription drugs, they should be prescribed only by a doctor after an examination, taking into account all the characteristics of your body (which, by the way, may be completely opposite to the characteristics of the body of your girlfriend or even a relative).

Hormonal drugs should not be used in nulliparous women and girls under 20 years of age. Completely wrong opinion. Hormonal contraceptives can be used even by adolescents, especially if you need to achieve a certain therapeutic effect.

After using hormones for a long time, you can not be afraid to get pregnant. Not at all. Already a month after the end of taking the drugs, it becomes possible to become pregnant, and even give birth to twins or triplets, since 2-3 eggs mature in the ovary. Some forms of infertility are treated by prescribing contraceptives for 3-4 months.

After a certain time (half a year, a year, etc.), you should take a break from taking hormonal drugs. This opinion is erroneous, since interruptions in taking the drug do not affect either the appearance (or not the appearance) of complications, or the ability to bear children after the end of taking the drugs. If there is a need and, according to the doctor, there are no contraindications for continuous use, hormonal preparations can be used continuously and for as long as you like.

Breastfeeding mothers should not take hormones. This statement is true only in relation to some tablets that affect lactation. However, there are tablets containing only a small amount of the 1st hormone ("mini-drank"), which do not affect lactation. It should only be remembered that these tablets must be used strictly after 24 hours in continuous mode. Even a minimal deviation from the hours of admission completely destroys the contraceptive effect of this drug.

From hormonal pills you can get better. Hormonal pills do have an effect on appetite, but in some it increases, while in others it decreases. It is impossible to predict exactly how the drug will affect you. If a woman is inclined to be overweight or with an increase in body weight while taking it, the doctor prescribes drugs with a low content of progestogens responsible for increasing body weight.

Hormonal drugs are created only to prevent pregnancy in women, there are no drugs of this kind for men. This is not true. Hormonal drugs are synthetic drugs that act like natural hormones produced in our body. Such drugs do not necessarily have a contraceptive effect, and can be prescribed to both women and men (depending on the type of drugs) to normalize the function of the reproductive system, normalize hormonal levels, etc.

Only very severe diseases are treated with hormonal drugs. Not necessary. In the treatment of some non-severe diseases, hormonal drugs are also prescribed. For example, with a decrease in thyroid function, thyroxine or euthyrox is used.

Hormones accumulate in the body. Wrong opinion. Once in the body, hormones almost immediately break down into chemical compounds, which are then excreted from the body. For example, a birth control pill breaks down and "leaves" the body during the day: that is why it needs to be taken every 24 hours. After the end of taking hormonal drugs, the effect of their impact is maintained not due to the accumulation of drugs in the body, but due to the fact that hormones act on various organs (ovaries, uterus, mammary glands, parts of the brain), normalizing their work.

Pregnant women are not prescribed hormones. If a woman had hormonal disorders before pregnancy, then during the bearing of the fetus she needs drug support so that the production of female and male hormones is normal and the child develops normally. Also, hormones (for example, adrenal hormones) are used if during pregnancy the hormonal background of a woman's body is disturbed.

In any case, hormonal drugs can be replaced with other drugs. Unfortunately, it is not. In some situations, hormonal drugs are indispensable (for example, if a woman under 50 has her ovaries removed). And sometimes hormonal treatment is prescribed by a psychoneurologist (for example, for depression).

Taking hormones reduces libido. Most women who took 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 used to others - with a lower content of progesterone.

Female hormones play an important role and affect the functioning of the whole body. Increasingly, women are faced with the problem of hormonal imbalance. One of the most pressing issues is the adjustment of the concentration of hormones. 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

Women's hormonal 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 preparations

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

Growth of the endometrium;
Development and growth of the uterus;
Active formation of sexual characteristics of the secondary type;
Stabilization of the general condition of the body, helps to cope with disorders that have arisen due to a functional failure in the work of the ovaries during menopause or a radical surgical intervention in the work of 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 work of the ovaries. As a result, the likelihood of pathological fractures is significantly increased.

If we take into account the effects of the use of estrogens, then the tablets can be taken under the following conditions:

Violation of the menstrual cycle (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 activity.
Post-term pregnancy (over 42 weeks).
For the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis during menopause.

Synthetic female hormonal preparations 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 pharmacology market with the following drugs:

Estroferm;
Premarin;
climacterin;
Sigetin;
Sinestrol.

When using estrogenic drugs, a woman needs to be under the constant supervision of the attending doctor. Long-term use of such drugs can cause uterine bleeding of various types of intensity, the formation of tumors, and the growth of the endometrium. Estrogen drugs are prescribed in 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;
climax period.

Premarin

Refers to products that are based on conjugated estrogen. Premarin is popular among women, but it should be drunk with extreme care. Contraindications to taking Premarin include diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, hypertension, CNS pathologies, 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, barbiturates. The drug is prescribed to patients with the following conditions:

Disorders in the work of the ovaries.
Decreased bone strength (osteoporosis) during menopause;
Unstable menstrual cycle, lack of menstruation;
climacteric disorders;
Neoplasms in the prostate.

Female hormonal pills (estrogen, progesterone) can be both beneficial and harmful. Much in this case depends on the correct application.

Estroferm

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

If taking the drug could not normalize the menstrual cycle, and the discharge continues to be irregular, additional studies should be carried out to determine the exact cause of the imbalance of hormones in the body.

With long-term treatment with the use of the drug Estroferm, it becomes necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations. The medication should be stopped if:

the functioning of the cardiovascular system worsens (blood clots appear, circulatory stagnation 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 mucosa to create optimal conditions for the development of a fertilized egg. Progesterone also significantly reduces the contraction and excitability of the 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. The drug in most cases 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 drugs:

Norkolut;
Turinal;
Pregnin;
Postinor.

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

pregnin

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

The main feature of the remedy is that it retains the therapeutic effect and activity when taken orally at a high level. Pregnin is not recommended for use in the presence of a threatened miscarriage or incipient miscarriage. Pregnin can be prescribed for such conditions:

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

Pregnin tablet must be placed sublingually (under the tongue) and wait until the agent dissolves. The agent 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 preparations for women can be purchased without a prescription. At the same time, such drugs should not be used without prior consultation with a specialist.

Norkolut

The progestogen drug is Norkolut. It is created on the basis of norestyrsterone, has a high activity when taken orally. For each patient, the dosage of the drug is selected individually. This allows you to make the treatment highly effective, as well as avoid side effects. So, when should Norkolut be used:

premenstrual disorders;
Irregular menstrual cycle, during which there is a reduction in the secretory phase;
Pain in the mammary glands;
Endometriosis (growth of the lining of the uterus);
Irregular and heavy periods;
Climacteric bleeding from the internal genital organs;
Benign tumors in the uterus.

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

Before starting treatment with Norkolut, you should undergo an examination. This is important for the complete exclusion of malignant tumors in the genitals or breasts.

Postinor

Rightfully recognized as one of the most popular contraceptives of today, Postinor is recognized, which is based on progesterone of synthetic origin. 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 was taken after intimacy.

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

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

Postinor has an effect before the implantation (introduction) of the fetal egg into the uterus, but after that the remedy loses its effectiveness.

Combined hormonal preparations

Scientists have been able to use progestins and estrogens (as well as agents of a similar spectrum of action) to create hormonal combination drugs that are used to eliminate disorders during menopause and, if necessary, treat cancer. Basically, such hormonal preparations for women are used not only in therapeutic, but also in 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 take place 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;
Pregastrol;
Demoulin.

Ovidon

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

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

At the beginning of taking the drug, nausea, headaches, vomiting, weight fluctuations, increased fatigue, skin rashes, bloody discharge from the genitals may appear. Taking pills is stopped with the onset of pregnancy, the appearance of venous thrombosis, deterioration of blood circulation, decreased vision, and any exacerbations of chronic diseases. Caution should be taken in women over 35 years of age.

Pregastrol

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

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

Adverse reactions when taking this hormonal drug can be increased fatigue and mood swings. Prolonged treatment with Pregastrol may cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (androgenic activity).

If you observe unusual conditions for yourself, side symptoms and signs, you should consult a doctor. Pregestrol is not used after gynecological operations when removing neoplasms.

Summing up

Hormonal pills for women are potent medicines. The pharmaceutical industry today has been able to synthesize all the substances that are produced by the endocrine glands. Hormonal preparations for women have found their application in obstetrics and gynecology. These drugs are used for pregnancy planning, treatment, and preventive measures. The scheme by which patients take these drugs is made by a doctor. He selects the most effective drug, determines its dosage and duration of the course.

How to drink hormonal pills, the doctor will prescribe you, but self-medication can lead to disastrous consequences.

Sex hormones for women in their body play a very important role. 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 have been developed - female hormones in tablets. They not only help a woman to be healthy and beautiful, but also protect her from unwanted pregnancy.

Major 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 the figure and the softness of the lady's 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 overweight or, worse, benign tumors. Progesterone is also important for women's health, because the distribution of adipose tissue, the formation of the mammary glands, genital organs, and the development of the fetus depend on it. This hormone is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries and the placenta.

The use of hormonal drugs

To eliminate hormonal disruptions in the body of a girl, they are 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 disorders, and headaches. Everything will affect the appearance: acne, acne may appear, the hair becomes oily, the skin begins to peel off. They are also often used as contraceptives, which helps to avoid unwanted pregnancy. It is thanks to this that female hormones in tablets are widely used.

Types of hormonal drugs

Hormonal drugs produced in the form of tablets can be divided into two types:

It should be noted that it is necessary to take drugs of this kind only if they are prescribed by an endocrinologist or gynecologist. After all, the wrong intake of hormonal drugs can cause serious harm to a woman's body.

Hormonal preparations are medicines containing hormones or substances that have an effect similar to a hormonal one. Natural hormonal medicines are obtained from the glands, blood and urine of animals, as well as from the blood and urine of humans.

Synthetic hormones are produced in pharmacological shops and laboratories. They can either be 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, excessive body hair growth, and loss of potency. The list of negatives is frightening and alarming.

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

Hormonal preparations are classified depending on the origin (producing gland) and purpose. By origin, drugs 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 the body's metabolism. However, if one of the organs of the endocrine system malfunctions, the perfectly adjusted mechanism of correction and interaction can fail, which will have to be eliminated by the introduction of synthetic analogs of hormones.

By appointment, hormonal drugs are divided into:

synthetic substances for replacement therapy (levothyroxine sodium, insulin, estrogens);
means for 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 drugs (anti-inflammatory, antiallergic drugs).

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

What is treated with hormonal drugs?

Hormone-based drugs are used for both chronic and treatable conditions. Without the help of hormonal drugs can not do with:

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

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

They can be used both inside (if necessary, systemic action) and externally (for hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, dermatological diseases, allergic rhinitis). When applied 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 the inflammation is unknown, adrenal hormones help relieve swelling, pain, and redness. Hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the life-saving drugs.

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

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

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

In chronic conditions associated with dysfunction of the glands or their partial removal, drugs with synthetic and natural hormones provide a high quality and longevity of the patient.

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 mood disorders, sleep, dry skin, problems with memory and performance, growth of gland tissues and other unpleasant symptoms.

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

Substitution therapy uses drugs such as:

"Eutiroks";
"L-thyroxine" (one of the Russian or German brands).

The treatment of hyperthyroidism has a somewhat more complex scheme: thyreostatics are used to reduce the synthesis of own iodine-containing hormones, and in especially difficult cases, removal of a 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 pancreatic β-cell hormone, the main task of which is to lower blood glucose levels by regulating its entry into cells and stimulating the conversion of monosaccharide into glycogen.

Violation of the functionality of the cells that secrete this hormone is called type 1 diabetes mellitus. Patients with such a pathology must be prescribed replacement therapy with Humodar, Apidra, Novorapid, Actrapid, Humulin, Insulin Tape, etc.

In type 2 diabetes, which is associated with a violation of the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, the administration of hormones can also be prescribed.

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

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

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

oral contraception

Oral contraceptives are the most well-known hormonal pills for women. The action of OK 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 the 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 OK) does not exceed 1%.

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

Modern contraceptives are classified into three categories:

One-component preparations (Continuin, Micronor, Charozetta, Exluton).
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs). COCs are the most reliable means. They include synthetic estrogen () and progestogen (levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norgestrel, etc.).
Postcoital (emergency) hormonal pills (Postinor, Escapel). Emergency contraceptives contain an increased dose of hormones, but have a lower effectiveness.

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

Combined hormonal contraceptives

COCs are divided into mono-, two- and three-phase. Single-phase COC tablets contain a strictly defined amount of hormones that does not change during the cycle. Multi-phase agents are conceived as more physiological: the dosages of active ingredients in tablets for different days of the cycle are not the same.

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:

A drug	Active substance	Producing country
Monophasic COCs
Microgynon		Germany
minisiston		Germany
Regividon		Hungary
Novinet	Ethinylestradiol, desogestrel	Hungary
Mercilon		Netherlands
Regulon		Hungary
Marvelon		Netherlands
Jess	Drospirenone, ethinylestradiol	Germany
Dimia		Hungary
Yarina		Germany
Logest	Ethinylestradiol, gestodene	Germany
Lindinet 30	Ethinylestradiol, gestodene	Hungary
Diana-35	Ethinylestradiol, cyproterone acetate	Germany
Three-phase COCs
Tri-regol	Levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol	Hungary
Triquilar		Germany
Triziston		Germany

A different dosage of the active substance (levonorgestrel) allows you to adjust to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and provide a high degree of protection against unplanned pregnancy at low concentrations.

Hormonal remedies for men

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

In practice, hormones of the adrenal glands (in particular, testosterone), the pancreas (insulin) and the anterior pituitary gland (somatropin or growth hormone) are actively used. They are used to form muscle relief, accelerate mass gain and burn fat. Taking hormonal drugs without a doctor's prescription has a number of negative consequences, including damage to the organs of 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 agents are used for hormone-dependent tumors (for example, for prostate cancer). Injections with analogues of pituitary hormones dramatically reduce the production of testosterone, which accelerates the growth of a malignant neoplasm. This procedure is called "medical castration". The introduction of hormones allows you to slow down the development of the tumor and resort to more radical methods of treatment. Despite the menacing name, patients should not be afraid of the irreversibility of the procedure: some time after the end of treatment, erectile function and normal testosterone levels are restored.

Replacement therapy with male hormones can be used both with the complete removal of the gland producing them, and with a decrease in its functionality. After 40-45 years, the level of testosterone in the blood of a man begins to decline, which leads to problems in the genital area. To restore potency, the following drugs are used:

"Undecanoate Testosterone" 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 the complete removal of the testicles (due to a tumor of the prostate or gonad), replacement therapy is required.

The attitude towards hormonal drugs among people who are unfamiliar with medical reference books is predictably biased. Many drugs in this group have strong and a number of contraindications - for example, with prolonged 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 means 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 can not take GP without the appointment of the attending physician (endocrinologist or gynecologist). Especially dangerous when self-administered are drugs that are classified as synthetic analogues of adrenal hormones.
Before prescribing hormonal treatment to a patient or a patient, a specialist should carefully study the history, the results of blood tests for the concentration of sex hormones and biochemical parameters, the results of pelvic ultrasound, mammography, cytological smear. It is necessary to inform the doctor about existing chronic diseases: some of them are contraindications for taking COCs and other synthetic drugs.
All changes in the state of health should be reported to the attending physician.
Having missed the dose of the drug, it is strictly forbidden to “compensate” for negligence with a double dose of the drug in the next dose.
It is necessary to take hormone pills strictly at the same time with minimal errors. Some drugs (for example, L-thyroxine) are drunk in the morning, on an empty stomach.
The duration of the course and dosage (including its change during treatment) is 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 drugs.