Types of hormonal drugs and their purpose. Why can't you take hormonal pills?

Doctor's orders are checked online and often not followed. Hormonal drugs are especially disliked: “Doctor, not hormones!” How dangerous are these drugs? Let's figure it out.

Case from practice

Young woman, 8 weeks pregnant. The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland (TSH) is increased. I inform the patient that she has hypothyroidism - decreased function thyroid gland. I prescribe treatment and explain: the hormonal drug is needed for the normal development of the fetus. The patient appears before giving birth. TSH is still high. She doesn’t take the medicine - her mother-in-law forbade it: “These are hormones!”

A few years later we meet by chance on the street, she leads her son by the hand: “Hello, doctor, this is my Mitya.” Mitya has a vacant look, he does not speak yet, and is noticeably behind his peers in development. His mother has a pale, puffy face, her voice has become rough and low: it looks like hypothyroidism is progressing. The outcome could have been different. But the doctor’s prescriptions were opposed by an “iron” argument - “I don’t want to take hormones!”

Set in motion

Hormones are produced by special endocrine glands. “Hormon” is translated from Greek as “I set in motion, excite, motivate.” Hormones act distally, that is, at a distance from the gland where they were formed, their effects are diverse and unique.

When there are few or many

We have many different hormones, and their production is controlled by strict laws. But in some diseases, the formation of hormones is disrupted.

Sometimes the work of the endocrine glands decreases. If you do not make the correct diagnosis in time and do not start correct treatment, trouble will happen. What is the correct treatment for a deficiency of a certain hormone? Of course, compensation for the missing factor. Here are some examples.

Diabetes mellitus type 1- a disease in which the hormone insulin ceases to be produced. Without it, glucose does not enter the cells and is not formed from it necessary for the body energy. Thanks to insulin medications, people with diabetes live full lives.

Another example - adrenal insufficiency: increasing weakness, weight loss, blood circulation is impaired. Fortunately, there are medications similar to adrenal hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids).

Hypothyroidism- decreased thyroid function - requires compensation for the deficiency of levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone. It is inactive, but when it enters cells, it is converted into active triiodothyronine, which is responsible for protein biosynthesis.

Hypogonadism- insufficiency of the function of the gonads. It occurs in both men and women. Main symptom- infertility. Treatment with sex hormones can solve the problem.

It happens the other way around: Too many hormones are produced. The cause may be an adenoma of the endocrine gland or the appearance of stimulating antibodies that force the gland to work in the “pot, cook!” mode.

An excess of hormones is no less dangerous than a deficiency: “a flood is no better than a drought.” It is treated with drugs that block the gland or by removing the “unruly” gland.

From allergies to sclerosis

All of the above applies to diseases of the endocrine system and the principles of their treatment. However, the use of hormones in medicine is much wider. Thus, drugs similar to adrenal hormones (glucocorticoids) are used to treat autoimmune diseases: bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and others.

Glucocorticoids quickly improve the patient's condition. But they are prescribed, observing certain principles, so that the therapeutic effect is optimal, and side effects- unexpressed.

Female hormone preparations(estrogens and progestins) are used as effective and safe contraceptives and for the treatment of perimenopausal symptoms.

Drugs male hormones , anabolic steroids, are used in the treatment of dystrophic conditions. Unfortunately, these drugs are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle mass, forgetting about possible complications: damage to the liver, heart, sexual function.

Do not forget: any medicine if used incorrectly can cause harm. Medicines, including hormonal ones, are prescribed by a doctor who, when planning treatment, takes into account many different factors: your gender, age, weight, accompanying illnesses, bad habits and previous allergic reactions, heredity.

People who have never drank hormonal agents, have little idea what they are needed for. Most people think that hormonal drugs are created specifically for women, as a remedy for unwanted pregnancy. But that's not true. So why can't you drink? hormonal pills?

Hormonal medications are medications that help the body produce certain hormones that it cannot produce on its own. Hormones are necessary for proper operation many organs. Hormonal pills are different, depending on which organ needs help.

Also, female hormonal products do not always have contraceptive effect. On the contrary, there are hormones that help pregnancy occur. If sperm motility is weak in men, hormonal drugs are also prescribed.

There are a number of diseases for which hormones are prescribed:

Female infertility;
Decreased ejaculate quality;
Thyroid gland dysfunction;
Depression, etc.

Each drug has contraindications. With the help of medications, a person treats one disease, but may develop a new problem. Hormonal pills are no exception.

First, let's look at positive sides taking hormones:

Taking hormones is the most effective methods contraception;
Reduce the risk of developing cancer;
Regular menstrual cycle;
Protects against anemia;
Prevents the development of osteoporosis;
Rejuvenate the skin;
Reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

At large quantities On the plus side, many people are scared when they are prescribed hormonal drugs. There is an opinion that if you value your health, You can’t take hormonal pills. And this opinion is not unfounded.

So why can’t you take hormones?!

With constant use of hormonal medications, many side effects occur. And hormones are usually prescribed for a long term.

Side effects:

When taking hormones, exacerbation of previously untroubled diseases may occur;
Bloody discharge, nausea, headache;
Weakness, apathy;
Frequent mood swings;
Sudden weight gain that is difficult to stop;
After long-term use It takes a long time for a woman to get pregnant using hormonal contraceptives.

Hormones inhibit the processes of the egg cell and this cannot pass without leaving a trace.

Many people experience excess hair growth all over their body;
Increased blood pressure;
Unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands;
Decreased sexual desire;
If the dosage regimen is not followed, complications arise;

As you can see, the list of side effects is quite long. At the same time, for some diseases it is impossible to do without hormonal pills.

If you decide to take hormones, remember some rules:

Hormonal medications should only be prescribed by a doctor. Even if it's hormonal contraceptives, the dosage is determined by a specialist for each patient individually;
Before starting treatment, it is recommended to take general analysis blood and undergo an ultrasound of the mammary glands;
Nursing mothers should stop taking hormones;
If you smoke, you are prohibited from taking hormonal drugs;
Hormones are not prescribed to cancer patients;
In most cases, you can find an alternative to hormonal pills.

Your health is in your hands. No doctor will care about you more than you do. Therefore, before deciding whether you need hormones or not, think carefully and weigh all the pros and cons. It wouldn't hurt to go full examination body, get advice from specialists.

Hormonal contraception is modern look protection against unwanted pregnancy, widespread throughout the world. Millions of women trust this method, making no mistakes in their choice.

The principle of action of hormonal contraceptives is the complex effect of analogues of natural female sex hormones on the body: suppression of ovulation, thickening of cervical mucus and changes in the structure of the endometrium. Suppression of ovulation prevents the maturation and release of the egg, which prevents fertilization. Changes in mucus prevent sperm from entering the uterine cavity. Even if fertilization has occurred, the fertilized egg will not be able to attach itself due to the special structure of the endometrium.

These 3 mechanisms provide reliable protection against pregnancy - according to WHO (World Health Association), with correct use the effectiveness is close to 100%, however, irregularities in taking (skipping pills, taking other medications, violating the regimen) can lead to conception, which is reflected in the statistical data.

There are also male hormonal contraceptives, but their use has not yet become widespread. The “universal tablet” is at the development stage, and existing hormone regimens cause serious harm health.

Any drug must be selected individually, since there is no universal method no flaws. Many of the pros and cons of hormonal contraceptives are similar, since they all contain similar active ingredients.

pros hormonal contraception:

high reliability;
independence from the time of sexual intercourse;
reversibility of the method;
low incidence of side effects.

In addition, there are non-contraceptive benefits:

reducing the risk of developing ovarian and endometrial tumors;
weakening of premenstrual syndrome;
treatment of dysmenorrhea;
reducing the abundance of menstruation (prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia);
treatment of acne, hirsutism, seborrhea (when using COCs with an antiandrogenic effect);
treatment of endometriosis.

Minuses:

does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases;
the need for regular use;
the possibility of serious complications;
many contraindications;
incompatibility with some medications.

Classification by shape

Based on the method of delivering the hormone to the body, we can distinguish:

pills;
injections;
subcutaneous implants;
skin patches;
vaginal rings;
hormone-containing intrauterine devices(Navy).

Classification by hormonal composition

Here is a classification of hormonal contraceptives according to the hormones used:

Combined means. Contains estrogen and progestogen components. Typically these are combined oral contraceptives (COCs), patches, vaginal rings or injections (CIC).
Non-combined drugs. They do not contain estrogens - mini-pills, implants, spirals, single-component injections.

Pills (oral contraceptives)

One pack of tablets is designed for 1 cycle, most often containing 21 or 28 tablets. Should be taken from the 1st day of the cycle. If there are 21 tablets, then a seven-day break is needed before a new pack; if there are 28, a break is not required. Combined tablets are mono- and polyphasic, depending on the dosage of hormones by day of the cycle. Depending on the amount of estrogens, high-, micro- and low-dose hormonal contraceptives (COCs) are distinguished.

These drugs are often used in gynecology for the treatment of endometriosis, functional ovarian cysts, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. New generation hormonal contraceptives are indicated for hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and can be prescribed even to girls who are not sexually active.

Combination medications must be taken daily. Efficiency is high - more than 99%. If you miss a pill, you should refer to the instructions for use and strictly follow the instructions - this will eliminate the possibility of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, if more than 2 tablets are missed dangerous days, the probability of pregnancy is quite high. When taking other medications, you need to carefully study the instructions - they may reduce the contraceptive effect.

Contraindications for hormonal contraception with combined pills:

lactation period;
age over 35 years, especially in combination with smoking;
vascular diseases, migraines;
thrombosis, diseases of the blood coagulation system;
malignant breast tumors;
liver diseases.

Another type of tablet - "mini-drink". They contain only a gestagenic component, which significantly reduces the number of contraindications and side effects. The peculiarity of taking pills is strictly at the same time of day, otherwise the contraceptive effect may be reduced.

Reliability is somewhat lower than that of COCs, but the lack of systemic effects of estrogens on a woman’s body makes them safer and expands the range of patients to whom oral contraception can be recommended. When prescribing hormonal contraception after 40 years, during breastfeeding, with a risk of thrombosis, attention is often paid to progestin drugs.

Contraindications:

mammary cancer;
migraine;
functional cysts.

A special type of oral contraception - postcoital drugs. This is one or two tablets with high content gestagen analogue. Taken in emergency cases within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.

Contraindications:

age up to 16 years;
severe liver disease;
pregnancy.

Injection contraception

Injections are one of the long-acting methods of hormonal contraception. Combination drugs (CICs) and progestogens are used. CIC (for example, Cyclofem, Mesigina) is administered medical worker Once a month from 1 to 7 days of the cycle, the effect develops after 24 hours and lasts 30 days. After discontinuation of the drug, pregnancy is possible in the first month. Contraindications for use: breastfeeding, venous diseases and of cardio-vascular system, liver.

Progestin drugs (Depo-Provera) are well tolerated and have high degree protection (0–1 pregnancy per year per 100 women). Administered intramuscularly once every 3 months. The disadvantage of the drug is that the ability to fertilize is restored about 9 months after discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives.

Intrauterine device

The hormonal IUD is a small plastic T-shaped tube coated with copper. It is inserted into the uterine cavity through the cervix, securely fastening inside. It is recommended for use by women who have already given birth, since any intervention in the uterine cavity in nulliparous women can lead to secondary infertility.

Spirals are designed to last for several years. They are installed and removed by a gynecologist without anesthesia. Reliability is close to 100%, since the local effect of the spiral is combined with the general hormonal effect.

Contraindications:

deformation of the cervix and uterine cavity;
history of ectopic pregnancy;
mammary cancer;
functional cysts.

How hormonal contraception is selected

The use of hormonal contraception is contraindicated without consulting a gynecologist! Very often the question is asked how to choose hormonal contraceptives on your own. There is a clear answer to this: you shouldn’t do this. Everyone has hormonal drugs available wide list indications and contraindications, therefore the doctor should select the remedy after a thorough history taking and (at a minimum) examination on the chair.

After consultation, the specialist will decide whether additional examination is necessary (blood for hormones, ultrasound, coagulogram) and will prescribe the best hormonal contraceptives for a particular case.

The table for selecting hormonal contraceptives based on phenotype will help you guess which product is right for you.

Characteristic	Estrogen type	Balanced	Progesterone
Appearance	Very feminine	Feminine	Boyish, teenage
Leather	Dry	Normal	Acne, seborrhea
Menses	Abundant, long lasting	normal	Scanty, up to 3–5 days
Premenstrual syndrome	Breast engorgement and tenderness, nervous mood	Practical none	Pain in the lower back, muscles, lower abdomen, low mood
Cycle duration	More than 28 days	28 days	Less than 28 days
Beli	Abundant	Moderate	Scarce
Recommendations	Mini-pills and COCs with an enhanced gestagen component are indicated: Rigevidon, Bisekurin, Miniziston	Tri-Mercy, Lindinet, Triziston, Regulon, etc. are suitable.	Drugs with an antiandrogenic effect are needed: Yarina, Jess, Janine, Chloe, Diane-35, etc.

Hormonal contraceptives for breastfeeding: mini-pills, subcutaneous implants, intrauterine devices and progestin injections. The same products are recommended for women over 40 years of age or smoking women after 35.

Possible reactions and side effects of hormonal contraception

Side effects of hormonal contraceptives in healthy women are observed extremely rarely, but you need to be aware of the symptoms, if they appear, you should urgently consult a doctor and stop taking the medications:

the onset of pregnancy;
sudden visual disturbances;
the need for surgical interventions;
jaundice;
the appearance of thrombosis;
severe migraine;
breakthrough bleeding;
sudden weight gain;
the appearance of tumors in the breast;
increase in fibroids.

There are a number of side effects that may occur normally. They usually go away within 2–3 months from the start of therapy. These include:

spotting when taking hormonal contraceptives;
absence of menstruation;
decreased libido;
distortion of tastes and smells;
the appearance of skin problems (for example, acne);
mild headaches.

Remote side properties, revealed in small quantity women:

amenorrhea after taking hormonal contraceptives;
long-term restoration of fertility;
irregular cycle;
if antiandrogen drugs were taken, resumption of acne, hirsutism.

General principles of withdrawal of hormonal contraception and the body's reaction

Most contraception can be canceled on your own - stop taking the pills, stop using the patch or ring at the end of the cycle. Only a doctor can remove the spiral and implant. It is recommended to take a break from taking hormonal contraceptives every five years. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a different treatment regimen, and then you need to follow the instructions.

The ability to get pregnant is restored in different ways: after stopping the pills, vaginal ring and patch, fertility returns almost immediately, when using injections, implants, IUDs - within 9 months.

During pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives are canceled immediately, but even if pregnancy is diagnosed late, most drugs do not harm the fetus. The main thing to remember is that many methods of contraception increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Thus, hormonal contraception is a modern, highly effective way of protecting against unwanted pregnancy. He suitable for women those who have a regular sexual partner as the only method of protection, as well as those who want one hundred percent protection in combination with a condom. What are the dangers of hormonal contraceptives? Like any medicine, they have their contraindications, and if you do not forget about them, the danger of hormonal contraception tends to zero.

Expert video consultation

Alcohol is harmful to health even on its own. And if in combination with medications, even more so. Every sane person knows this. Alcohol is a toxic substance, and its combination with medications can be accompanied by serious troubles, including fatal outcome. Let's not talk about and. Let's discuss how alcohol affects the body when taking hormonal medications? What drugs are strictly prohibited to be combined with alcohol?

Alcohol and hormonal drugs

Many women use hormonal drugs for treatment or as a means of contraception. Moreover, treatment with hormonal drugs usually lasts a very long time, and contraception is used regularly. And, sooner or later, many people wonder: Is it possible to combine a hormonal drug with alcohol? After all, there can be many reasons - a birthday, a wedding, just a vacation in the company, and the course of admission is long. How to be? What do experts say on this topic?

Alcohol is not recommended with any medications .
The consequences of simultaneous use of a drug and alcohol are unpredictable .
Hormonal drugs are among those medicines which are prohibited to be combined with alcohol .

Consequences of taking hormonal pills with alcohol

In the process of taking hormonal drugs, women endocrine system starts functioning in a different mode. When they are combined with alcohol, the following happens:

The activation of the adrenal glands and gonads is “turned on”. This, in turn, becomes a consequence of an increase in adrenaline, cortisone and aldosterone in the blood. Happening oversaturation of the body with hormones and, accordingly, their overdose.
The opposite result is also possible. That is, the absence therapeutic effect from taking medications due to alcohol inhibiting the effect of medications. But this is a relatively safe situation that you shouldn’t count on.
Very serious consequences combinations of artificially introduced hormones and alcohol can become exacerbation peptic ulcer, development of thrombophlebitis, headaches and seizures.
There can be many consequences of such a rash act. And no one can predict the reaction of alcohol with hormonal drugs on a specific organism. It cannot be ruled out that the endocrine system will completely stop working in the same normal mode. In this case, problems associated with hormonal levels can cover the body like an avalanche.

Almost every instructions for medicinal product contains a warning that combining it with alcohol is undesirable or prohibited. And when treating with hormonal drugs, the use of which in itself is stressful for the body, it is better to abstain from alcohol and follow clear instructions.

The method of hormonal therapy has been known for more than a hundred years, but some patients still do not fully trust it. Despite the fact that taking drugs containing hormones literally saves many lives every year, the opinion that such drugs are unsafe continues to exist. As a rule, people who doubt the safety of hormonal drugs do not clearly understand the principle of their effect on the body. Our task is to dispel these misconceptions.

Why are patients afraid to be treated with hormones?

Hormones are substances designed to regulate metabolic processes in the body, for normal operation all its organs and systems. Normally, they are constantly secreted by the endocrine glands (thyroid and parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, gonads and some others). If the process of hormone production is disrupted, it is necessary to replenish their content in the blood with the help of synthetic substitutes.

According to experts, concerns associated with taking hormonal drugs arose at a time when drugs of this type were just beginning to be produced. The first products intended for hormonal therapy were of very low quality, and the concentration active ingredients they were very high. This actually led to the development of a number of side effects. Unfortunately, the memory of these troubles turned out to be very persistent, and hormone treatment began to be associated not so much with getting rid of many problems, but with the harm that it can cause to health.

Modern hormonal drugs are much safer than their predecessors, but the prospect of taking them often raises some concerns. Here are the most common ones:

“Hormonal drugs are used exclusively to prevent unwanted pregnancy.” In fact, there are a lot of medications containing hormones. They are used to optimize the functioning of organs and systems human body in cases where the endocrine glands secreting these substances naturally, are not functioning correctly. Hormone therapy shown when diabetes mellitus, disorders of the thyroid gland, skin diseases, pathologies of pregnancy and a number of other ailments;
“Treatment with hormones is a last resort in the most serious illnesses" This opinion is completely wrong. Hormonal therapy can indeed be very effective, but it is also used to treat patients whose condition does not cause concern;
“It is not necessary to take hormonal medications regularly.” An extremely harmful misconception, often nullifying the long-term efforts of doctors. The fact is that in the body healthy person The endocrine glands constantly produce hormones, maintaining their normal concentration. If this process is disrupted, it is possible to optimize the hormonal levels by adjusting the supply of missing substances from the outside. To do this, you must take the medications prescribed by your doctor, without allowing the slightest violation of the schedule;
“When you take products that contain hormones, they accumulate in the body.” Hormones are very easily destroyed. Therefore, they are normal and are produced by the body continuously. These substances cannot accumulate in the blood or tissues;
“Hormonal therapy is contraindicated in pregnant women.” Expectant mothers are prescribed such drugs quite often, and neglecting these prescriptions is extremely dangerous. Violation hormonal levels in a pregnant woman it can lead to the loss of the fetus or the development of severe pathologies;
“Taking hormonal drugs is fraught with numerous problems associated with their side effect». Modern means contain hormones in quantities that are safe for health. Like any other medicine, they have side effects, but not as catastrophic as it seems to uninformed patients. For example, such consequences of taking contraceptive drugs like a set excess weight or facial hair growth are a thing of the past. Today's remedies for this purpose can cause only slight temporary breast swelling and weak bloody issues, and these effects are observed only in the first months of use, and not in all women. With the use of other hormonal drugs the situation is approximately the same;
“Hormonal therapy can easily be replaced by treatment with drugs of a different origin.” When the production of any hormone fails, the body requires exactly the substance that is missing. Extracts of some plants contain components that have a hormone-like effect, but a complete switch to taking them usually does not provide the necessary therapeutic effect. We should not forget that drugs plant origin and can themselves cause health problems (for example, allergic reactions). The situation is even more complicated in cases where the result of a malfunction of the endocrine glands is an excess of any hormone. In this situation, the disturbed background can only be balanced by the entry into the body of a hormone that has the opposite effect.

Rules for taking hormonal drugs

All medications must be used correctly, but this is especially true for products containing hormones. Any violation of the schedule for taking them, prescribed by a doctor, within a few hours disrupts the well-functioning balance necessary for the normal functioning of the body. If the patient's condition leaves much to be desired, such a failure can have dire consequences. 4 out of 5 (4 votes)