What pills for hormones. List of effective hormonal pills for women. Selection of hormonal oral contraceptives

For the treatment of a wide range of diseases, various hormonal drugs are often used, which, in addition to being highly effective, have a number of side effects.

If used incorrectly, they can be very dangerous, and can also aggravate the patient's condition.

Harm of hormonal drugs: truth or myth ^

Hormones are products of internal secretion that are produced by special glands or individual cells, released into the blood and carried throughout the body, causing a certain biological effect.

In a healthy person, hormones are continuously produced by the endocrine glands. If the body fails, synthetic or natural analogues come to the rescue.

Why you shouldn't be afraid of hormones: benefits and harms

Treatment with hormones has been used in medicine for more than a century, but people still treat it with fear and distrust. Despite the fact that the use of drugs containing hormones can reverse the course of a serious illness and even save a life, many consider them harmful and dangerous.

Patients of endocrinologists are often terrified of the word "hormones" and unreasonably refuse to take hormonal drugs, fearing the appearance of side effects, such as weight gain and hair growth on the face and body. Such side effects, indeed, took place during the treatment with first-generation drugs, since they were of poor quality and contained too large doses of hormones.

But all these problems have long been in the past - pharmacological production does not stand still and is constantly developing and improving. Modern medicines are becoming better and safer.

Endocrinologists, in accordance with the results of the tests, select the optimal dose and regimen for taking a hormonal drug that mimics the function of the gland as in a healthy person. This allows you to achieve compensation for the disease, avoid complications and ensure the patient's well-being.

Today, hormonal preparations are produced, both natural (having a structure similar to natural hormones) and synthetic (having an artificial origin, but a similar effect). Depending on the origin, they are divided into several types:

Animals (obtained from their glands);
vegetable;
Synthetic (composition similar to natural);
Synthesized (not similar to natural).

Hormonal therapy has three directions:

Stimulating - is prescribed to activate the work of the glands. Such treatment is always strictly limited in time or applied in intermittent courses.
Blocking - is necessary when the gland is too active or when unwanted neoplasms are detected. Most often used in conjunction with radiation or surgery.
Substitution - is required for diseases that inhibit the production of hormones. This type of treatment is often prescribed for life, as it does not affect the cause of the disease.

The most common misconceptions about hormone therapy

Truths and myths about the dangers of hormones

Myth 1: Hormonal drugs are prescribed only as contraceptives

In fact, these drugs effectively fight many pathologies: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, skin diseases, infertility, oncological neoplasms and other ailments.

Myth 2: When your health improves, you can stop taking hormones.

Such a misconception often crosses out the long work of physicians and provokes a rapid return of the disease. Any changes in the schedule of admission must be agreed with the attending physician.

Myth 3: Hormone therapy is prescribed as a last resort in the treatment of severe ailments.

In modern pharmacology, there are many drugs of a similar composition to get rid of diseases that do not pose a threat to the patient's life, for example, acne in adolescents or erectile dysfunction in men.

Myth 4: It is contraindicated to take any hormones during pregnancy.

In fact, expectant mothers are prescribed such drugs quite often, and self-refusal of them can lead to serious consequences. For example, when carrying out tocolytic measures or with hypofunction of the thyroid gland (replacement therapy).

Myth-5: Hormones accumulate in tissues during replacement therapy

This opinion is also wrong. Correctly calculated dosage does not allow excess of these substances in the body. But in any case, they are easily destroyed and cannot remain in the blood for a long time.

Myth-6: Hormones can be replaced with other drugs

If a deficiency of a certain hormone is diagnosed, then it is he who must be taken to restore health. Some plant extracts have a similar effect, but they cannot fully replace endocrinological drugs. In addition, their long-term exposure is undesirable due to the risk of allergic reactions.

Myth 7: Hormones make you fat

Excessive fullness does not arise from hormones, but from hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders, as a result of which nutrients begin to be absorbed by the body incorrectly.

Myth 8: In the spring, the level of sex hormones increases.

Human endocrine functions are subject to both seasonal and daily cycles. Some hormones are activated at night, others - during the day, some - in the cold season, others - in the warm.

According to scientists, the level of human sex hormones does not have seasonal fluctuations, however, with an increase in daylight hours, the production of gonadoliberin, a hormone that has an antidepressant effect, increases in the body. It is he who can cause a feeling of love and euphoria.

Myth-9: Hormonal failure does not threaten young people

Hormonal imbalance in the body can occur at any age. The reasons are different: stress and excessive loads, past diseases, unhealthy lifestyle, taking the wrong drugs, genetic problems and much more.

Myth-10: Adrenaline is a “good” hormone, its sharp release benefits a person

Hormones cannot be good or bad - each is useful in its own time. The release of adrenaline really stimulates the body, allowing it to quickly cope with a stressful situation. However, the feeling of a surge of energy is replaced by a state of nervous exhaustion and weakness, because. adrenaline directly affects the nervous system, sharply putting it on alert, which necessarily causes a “rollback” later.

The cardiovascular system also suffers: blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, and there is a risk of vascular overload. That is why frequent stress, accompanied by an increase in adrenaline in the blood, can lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest.

What are hormonal drugs

According to the method of exposure, hormonal drugs are divided into:

Steroid: act on sex hormones and substances produced by the adrenal glands;
Amine: and adrenaline;
Peptide: insulin and oxytocin.

Steroid drugs are the most widely used in pharmacology: they are used to treat serious diseases and HIV infections. They are also popular with bodybuilders: for example, Oxandrolone and Oxymethalone are most often used to give the body relief and burn subcutaneous fat, while Stanozolol and Methane are used to gain muscle mass.

In both cases, drugs cause irreparable harm to healthy people, so they are not recommended to be taken without evidence. AAS is based on the hormone testosterone, and for women they are the most dangerous: with prolonged use, they may develop primary male sexual characteristics (virilization), and the most common side effect is infertility.

What are the side effects of taking hormones?

Most often, side effects of hormonal drugs appear in the first two weeks after the start of taking in the form of the following ailments:

dizziness and nausea;
sweating;
Shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
Tides;
Candidiasis;
Drowsiness;
Deterioration of the composition of the blood;
Virilization (when women take steroids);
Hypertension;
Intestinal dysfunction.

In very rare cases, long-term use of "hormones" or their abuse can cause the development of oncology. To avoid this, it is necessary to periodically take tests and do liver tests to monitor your health.

Side effects of hormonal drugs in women: what to be afraid of ^

Side effects of hormonal contraceptives

When choosing a hormonal method of contraception, it is important to take into account all the features of the hormonal status of a woman. Find out which hormone levels prevail in the body: estrogen or progesterone, whether there is hyperandrogenism (increased levels of male sex hormones), what concomitant diseases, etc.

This method of contraception is used by women quite often, because. considered one of the most effective. In most cases, there are no negative reactions, however, there are side effects of birth control pills, which can be with prolonged or improper use in violation of the instructions:

Arterial hypertension;
Anemia;
Acute renal failure;
Porfiria;
hearing loss;
Thromboembolism.

The most popular birth control pills are: Qlaira, Regulon, Jess, Tri-regol. For the treatment of infertility, on the contrary, Duphaston is most often used.

microdosed hormone pills

Side effects of hormonal ointments

Most often, such ointments are used to treat skin diseases: dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, lichen, as well as allergies with external signs. What side effects can occur due to ointments:

Stretch marks, acne;
Atrophy of the treated skin;
Expansion of blood vessels;
The appearance of spider veins;
Skin discoloration (temporary).

The safest and most effective is Prednisolone, which is available in the form of tablets or ointments.

Hormonal drugs for menopause

Hormone therapy for menopause helps improve lipid metabolism, alleviate hot flashes, reduce anxiety, increase libido and prevent the development of atherosclerosis, but should only be done under medical supervision. What negative effects can occur with self-treatment:

A sharp increase in weight;
Fluid retention in the body, the appearance of edema;
Breast engorgement;
Severe headaches;
Stagnation of bile.

Hormonal drugs for bronchial asthma

Treatment of this disease with hormones is prescribed in very rare cases for several reasons:

Hormonal dependence and withdrawal syndrome may occur upon discontinuation of therapy;
Significantly reduced immunity;
Increased bone fragility;
The production of insulin and glucose is destabilized, which is fraught with the development of diabetes;
Worried about hair loss;
Weaken muscles;
Increased intraocular pressure;
Fat metabolism is disturbed.

Of course, such a side effect does not always occur, but in order to avoid it, it is best to start treatment with weaker drugs.

It is worth noting that almost all hormonal agents affect the hormones of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands, so their use should be agreed with a specialist. In general, if the regimen is followed, side effects occur very rarely, however, such drugs are not prescribed unless absolutely necessary.

Hormonal preparations are intended for the treatment of endocrine disorders. They are prescribed for women and men. There are more than 50 drugs for hormone replacement therapy.

All hormonal agents are divided into natural and synthetic. Natural contain hormones derived from fresh or frozen glands of livestock, as well as from animal or human biological fluids. Synthetic analogues are chemically obtained, but perform similar functions.

What are hormones?

pituitary gland (anterior and posterior lobes);
thyroid and antithyroid substances;
pancreas (insulin and glucagon);
sugar-reducing substances;
parathyroid gland;
adrenal cortex;
sexual;
anabolic substances.

Hormonal preparations can be in the form of an aqueous or oily solution, tablets, ointments. They are administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, taken orally or rubbed into the skin.

13 Facts About Hormone Therapy

Hormones are not always harmful. Hormonal drugs have a different effect, often give side effects.
Hormonal agents have different effects on people. Those drugs that helped a relative or friend can harm you with the same diagnosis.
Young patients and nulliparous girls can take hormones. They are prescribed even from a young age, and hormonal contraceptives are allowed for adolescents.
Hormonal drugs do not always have a contraceptive effect. A month after hormone therapy, reproductive function is fully restored. It is also possible to conceive twins or triplets, as certain hormones cause multiple eggs to grow.
Breaks in hormone therapy are optional. Most often, hormones are prescribed as a continuous course.
Breastfeeding women can also take hormonal drugs. The ban applies only to some pills that affect lactation.
Not all hormonal drugs cause weight gain. If the patient is inclined to be overweight or began to recover during treatment, the doctor may reduce the number of progestogens in therapy.
There are hormones for men.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed not only for severe diseases. They help to cure mild pathologies of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland or pancreas.
Hormones do not accumulate in the body. These substances break down almost immediately and are excreted from the body over time.
Preparations with hormones are prescribed for pregnant women. If a woman had hormonal disruptions before conception, she needs drug therapy during pregnancy. Without the normalization of the hormonal background, it is impossible to bear a child.
Hormones do not always reduce libido. Many patients report an increase in sex drive with hormone therapy. If the desire is reduced, you can ask your doctor to prescribe drugs with less progesterone.

When are hormonal drugs prescribed?

Natural hormones are produced by the endocrine glands of our body. These substances have a distal effect, that is, at a distance from the gland in which they were formed. Hormonal drugs are prescribed for dysfunction of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas and ovaries, as well as some diseases that do not affect the endocrine system.

What diseases are hormones prescribed for?

Diabetes. The disease is diagnosed in the absence of the hormone insulin, without which glucose does not enter the cells and not enough energy is created for normal life. Insulin preparations solve this problem.
Adrenal insufficiency. With adrenal dysfunction, the patient becomes weak, loses weight, and suffers from symptoms of impaired circulation. The hormones glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids allow to restore the stable functioning of the organ.
Hypothyroidism. This condition develops with a decrease in the functionality of the thyroid gland, when levothyroxine ceases to be produced. The hormone itself is inactive, but in cells it turns into triiodothyronine and regulates protein biosynthesis.
Hypogonadism. The disease is characterized by insufficiency of the gonads. With hypogonadism, infertility develops in women and men, and hormone therapy is the only way to conceive a child.

In addition to glandular insufficiency, there is also excessive activity. Often, patients are diagnosed with an excess of hormones. This condition is no less dangerous and also requires treatment. To reduce the amount of hormones, drugs are prescribed that block secretion or remove the gland itself.

Estrogens and progestins - female hormones - have the effect of contraception. They may also be prescribed during perimenopause to relieve symptoms. Anabolic steroid male hormones are effective in the treatment of dystrophic conditions.

Contraceptives are divided into combined with estrogen and progestogen and drugs with progesterone. Hormonal contraception is preferred if the woman has one regular partner. Protection against infections during chaotic sexual intercourse will only be condoms.

The action of hormonal contraceptives is due to the fact that the substances provoke changes in the cervix that prevent the penetration of spermatozoa. Pathological changes that can cause infertility can develop with prolonged use of hormonal contraceptives (without stopping for more than 3 years). However, many experts claim that after the abolition of contraception, the likelihood of pregnancy only increases.

Hormonal contraceptives do not affect weight, help cleanse the skin and reduce the amount of body hair. Hormones can regulate the cycle and reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Some note breast enlargement and an increase in its elasticity when taking hormonal contraceptives.

Modern contraceptives have a minimum of side effects. With the help of hormones, you can postpone the timing of menstruation and reduce the symptoms of SCI.

Hormones for contraception are prescribed for a maximum of a year. It is advisable to take breaks for several months and visit the gynecologist regularly. Oral contraceptives are contraindicated in smokers, patients with tumors and varicose veins.

The main method is hormone therapy. Depending on the severity of the pathology, doctors prescribe contraceptives, drugs with progesterone, drugs with the hormone danazol, or gonadotropin analogues.

Hormonal contraceptives for endometriosis reduce pain and reduce the endometrium. Usually drugs are prescribed for six months, if necessary, you can extend the course for 3-6 months. With successful treatment, the areas of endometriosis are significantly reduced.

Popular contraceptives:

Regulon;
Yarina;
Marvelon.

With endometriosis, drugs with progesterone may be prescribed. This substance inhibits the secretion of estrogens, which provoke the growth of the endometrium of the uterus. The course of treatment is 6-9 months. The best drugs of the group are considered to be Vizanne and Depo-Provera.

The hormone danazol in endometriosis reduces the amount of sex hormones, which reduces the foci of pathology. The optimal course of treatment is 3-6 months

Another method of treating endometriosis is analogues of gonadotropin-releasing hormones. They reduce the functionality of the ovaries and suppress the production of sex hormones. During therapy, menstruation disappears and menopausal symptoms may occur. To prevent this, doctors prescribe small doses of hormones. Treatment is a maximum of six months. After the drug is discontinued, ovarian function is restored.

Preparations with gonadotropin-releasing hormones:

Buserelin;
or ;
Sinarel.

Hormone therapy for menopause

Closer to 50 years, a woman's body undergoes restructuring. There is a fading of the reproductive function, the level of estrogen decreases, the bones become brittle, and the tissues are less elastic. A woman feels characteristic symptoms: hot flashes, headaches, sweating, emotional instability, osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy for menopause helps to reduce the number of strokes, heart attacks, pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as maintaining pelvic tone and stabilizing the nervous system. Menopause symptoms disappear.

If there are no contraindications, substitution therapy can be prescribed for 5-8 years. Hormones are not recommended in the presence of a malignant tumor, circulatory disorders, uterine bleeding, a history of stroke and heart attack, liver disease.

What hormones are prescribed for menopause:

Angelique. With estradiol and drospirenone.
Femoston. Contains estradiol and dydrogesterone, which improves the natural cycle.
Ovestin. Contains estriol - necessary to restore the elasticity of the mucosa.
Livial. Includes synthetic tibolone. It has a complex estrogen-gestagenic effect.
Norkolut. A progestogen-based agent with norethisterone.

Hormones during pregnancy

One of the main causes of early miscarriage is the instability of the hormonal background of a woman. As a rule, abortion occurs when there is a lack of progesterone or estrogen.

Lack of progesterone is dangerous because the conditions necessary for the development of the fetus are not created, and estrogen deficiency leads to thinning of the endometrium of the uterus and rejection of the embryo. During pregnancy, it is necessary to treat not only problems with sex hormones, but also all hormonal disorders.

Progesterone preparations:

Duphaston. The drug contains a synthetic analogue of progesterone - dydrogesterone. It is much more active and stable than the natural hormone, therefore it effectively supports pregnancy. As a rule, the drug is canceled after 20 weeks, when the body's need for progesterone decreases. Duphaston does not affect the skin, hair, sleep and blood glucose levels. If bleeding occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor to increase the dose. Dufaston is incompatible with phenobarbital, which is prescribed for epilepsy.
Utrozhestan. The drug contains micronized progesterone. Utrozhestan normalizes the level of female hormones and affects androgens (male sex hormones). An excess of androgens in a woman's body can harm pregnancy. The drug can affect the reaction rate and cause drowsiness.

When taken correctly, these drugs do not provoke malformations in the fetus. They help to normalize the endocrine system and hormonal levels, which only support pregnancy and ensure the full development of the child. Refusal of therapy affects not only the mother's body, but also the physical and mental development of the child. However, hormones are not prescribed for diabetes, liver disease, bronchial asthma, circulatory disorders, malignant tumors and epilepsy.

Hormone therapy for men

Already from the age of 25, testosterone levels gradually decrease, and by 45, the indicators fall by 30%. During this period, hormones may be prescribed to eliminate symptoms (fatigue, mood deterioration, weakness, decreased sexual desire). Hormones are also suitable for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

It is possible to use tablets, capsules, gel, injections and even patches with testosterone. Among the most common drugs are Andriol, Methyltestosterone, Androgel, Androderm, Nebido injections, Sustanon-250 and Testenat.

Hormone therapy in men sometimes causes side effects. There may be an increased risk of prostate cancer, increased oiliness of the skin, problems with sperm and androgenetic alopecia.

It must be remembered that any medication can be dangerous if used improperly. When choosing hormones, it is important to take into account the gender and age of the patient, comorbidities, habits, allergies, heredity and lifestyle.

Contraceptive pills (oral contraceptives) are a reliable (99.9%) protection against unwanted pregnancy for women who have a regular sexual partner. If your husband or boyfriend is healthy, he has no infections and you are sure of his fidelity, then you should learn how to drink birth control pills. Two important points:

OK is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account your age, existing diseases, the presence of children, existing problems with the hormonal background (if any), and psychological state.
Before the appointment, it is necessary to take tests for hormonal levels and hidden infections, if you are not sure of yourself, so as not to infect your partner during unprotected sex.
OK do not protect against infections and STDs that a man can "give" you.
If you do not take the next pill in time or forget to take it at all, the risk of an unwanted pregnancy increases.

The principle of action of contraceptive pills: OK are artificially synthesized sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone, which do not allow the follicles to mature. In addition, they thicken the mucus in the cervical canal, which prevents the advancement of spermatozoa into the uterus and thicken the endometrium in order to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus if a meeting with a spermatozoon does happen.

Types of birth control pills

You should know not only how to take birth control pills, but also which type is best for you. There are two in total: the first - containing progesterone and estrogen at the same time (combined oral contraceptives COCs), the second - contain only progesterone (gestagens) and are called mini-pills. Mini-pills are considered the most harmless in terms of side effects.

Both are aimed at suppressing ovulation and stopping the production of hormones that cause ovulation to occur. Therefore, immediately after the cancellation of OK, a hormonal surge occurs in the body and the likelihood of ovulation in the next few days and, as a result, pregnancy increases dramatically. But doctors do not recommend getting pregnant within 6 months after the cancellation of OK in order to avoid fetal deformities and missed pregnancies.

Remember that each organism is individual and the final decision on taking OK after studying all the pros and cons is yours. Taking OK in some women affects the further possibility of a trouble-free conception if the pills were used from 3 months to a year or longer. Also, there are frequent cases of hormonal imbalance in the body, thinning of the endometrium due to ovarian downtime.

How to take birth control pills correctly

Each OK pack contains 21 tablets. We will explain in detail how to take birth control pills in order to protect yourself from pregnancy as much as possible. The rules for taking are the same for all such drugs, regardless of the name and dosage of the drugs:

The ideal day to start taking birth control pills is the first day of menstruation (in other words, the first day of the cycle), no matter if you are a woman who has given birth or not. If an abortion was made, then you need to drink the first pill the next day after the abortion.
Tablets should be taken daily at the same time: set an alarm, write a memo, and the like. Your task is not to miss a dose for more than an hour, otherwise the effectiveness is significantly reduced and the risk of pregnancy increases.
So that during the period of addiction to the tablets there is no bowel disorder or vomiting, drink the tablets with meals.
When you first start drinking OK, use condoms for the first week, even if you have sex during your period.
Tablets should be drunk exactly 21 days, and then a break for 7 days is required. During this period, you can expect the arrival of menstruation. But menstruation may not come at all, or come, but in a much smaller amount than usual - this is the norm.
It doesn't matter if menstruation comes in the 7-day break or not, you need to continue drinking OK on the 8th day. On the 8th day, you start a new pack and drink again 21 days before the break and continue like this.
If you don't get your period within the 7 day break, take a pregnancy test and visit your gynecologist to make sure you haven't conceived. Remember that taking OK during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated!
If your period is still on the 8th day, take the pill anyway - the end of the discharge does not matter.
In every 7-day break, protect yourself with condoms.
If vomiting or diarrhea occurs shortly after taking the pill (for example, due to a rota virus or a change in climate, food / water), it is recommended to take another pill 12 hours later to maintain the contraceptive effect, and then continue to drink as usual. That is, per day with vomiting, it turns out that you drank 1 additional tablet.
If you missed a pill, forgot it, or there was a good reason, then take one as soon as you remember / the opportunity arose, another one after 12 hours, and then continue at your usual rhythm.
If you missed two or more tablets, then take a break for a week, protecting yourself with condoms, and then continue according to the standard scheme: drink 21 days, 7 - break.
If you get sick and serious medications are prescribed for you, then a doctor's consultation is mandatory for the compatibility of the funds.

How to drink mini-pill correctly

Each package contains 28 tablets. The rules of use are similar to the standard scheme for any contraceptive. Learn how to take mini-pill contraceptive pills correctly:

You need to start taking on the 1st day of menstruation or counting 3 weeks from the first day of menstruation.
Every day you should take the tablets at the same time. The maximum allowable time difference is 2 hours.
Even a single missed pill makes conception possible in a day.
Mini-pills can be used by young and nursing mothers (after prior consultation with a doctor), as they practically do not affect the psychological state and do not affect the quality of breast milk.
If there are stomach upsets (rotavirus, change of food/water, climate zone), one additional tablet should be taken after vomiting or diarrhea.
During the use of the 1st package of mini-pills, it is necessary to additionally protect yourself with condoms for 3 weeks.
After an abortion or miscarriage, mini-pills are prescribed the very next day.

Complications and side effects of birth control pills

The rules for how to take birth control pills are by no means all that you should pay attention to before you decide to start taking them. Remember that OK affects the hormonal background of the body and is not a priori a "vitamin" or a harmless method of contraception for the sake of pampering or "for trying." It is categorically impossible to prescribe contraceptive pills on your own, you can’t drink them, “so that the breasts become 2 sizes larger and the husband is in shock”, in order to “make prevention of female diseases and cancer”, you can’t drink them to teenage girls who are just starting to have sex and foolishly having promiscuous connections. Familiarize yourself with the complications of taking OK:

nausea;
diseases of the endocrine system;
severe hair loss after the cancellation of OK (treated with lotions, shampoos and mesotherapy by a trichologist - treatment is expensive and lengthy);
after the abolition of OK, painful periods;
purulent acne;
cellulite;
ovarian cysts;
paroxysmal jumps in blood pressure;
decreased visual acuity;
anovulatory cycles (lack of ovulation and, therefore, menstruation) for a long time after cancellation;
missed pregnancies that occurred within the interval of up to six months after the cancellation of OK and in rare cases longer;
thrombus formation;
headaches, dizziness;
severe weight gain;
irritability, tantrums from scratch;
the growth of tumors, in particular - the growth of fibroids;
allergies, asthma.

Myth about OK: harm masked by advertising

Information about the dangers of contraceptive pills is obtained from studies conducted by the World Health Organization, the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer).

Think about it: the "fourth generation" contraceptives contain almost no steroids (when compared with the first OK), but they contain, for example, drospirenone, which can lead to tragic health consequences. In the United States today, there are hundreds of lawsuits against manufacturing companies from women whose health has been irreparably damaged by taking birth control pills. The main demand of the plaintiffs is a complete ban on the sale of these health-threatening pills or an official ban on the use of birth control pills for more than 3 months. Against the background of taking OK, the body is constantly in a state of pregnancy, but since it is not natural and cannot be resolved by childbirth, this affects the functioning of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, endometrium, and increases the risk of developing breast cancer. In particular, in Russia, tablets with drospirenone are known under the names "Yarina", "Jess", "Yasmin", "Yaz".

What is not said about hormonal drugs. Some attribute miraculous properties to them, others scare them with terrible effects. Where are the myths and where is the reality?

Hormones are substances that have biological activity. In the human body, they are synthesized by the endocrine glands. Released into the blood, hormones spread throughout the body and have a regulatory effect on its physiological processes and metabolism. This ensures a balanced and stable functioning of the body. There are many hormones and each has its own specific effect. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to speak indiscriminately about the influence of all hormones in general. Nevertheless, let's try to clarify the most established statements about hormones.

Myth 1. If hormones are prescribed, then the disease is very serious.
It is not always so. Hormonal preparations treat both severe diseases and not so much. They are even prescribed to perfectly healthy people, for example, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It is not necessary to judge the severity of your condition by the prescribed treatment. This question is best always clarified in an open conversation with your doctor.

Myth 2. Side effects appear even with short-term use of hormones.
It is not true. Hormones do not have toxicity, so even in large doses, poisoning of the body will not occur. The occurrence of side effects is not related to the dose of the drug. They occur with frequent and prolonged use of hormones, even if the dose taken is scanty. And the longer the reception, the greater the severity of these effects. Therefore, doctors quite often practice the so-called “pulse therapy” with hormones, when high doses are prescribed for a short time.

Myth 3. If you take hormones in small doses, then there will be no particular harm.
Wrong. Hormones affect the human body in any dose. At the same time, in a small amount, the effect can be one, and in a large amount it is completely different, even directly opposite. Therefore, hormonal preparations should be taken only as directed by a doctor and only in those doses prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication in the case of hormones can not only not lead to the desired result, but also end badly.

Myth 4. Hormones make you fat.
Yes and no. It all depends on which hormones we are talking about. For example, with prolonged use of glucocorticosteroids, changes in body weight can be observed. And when taking thyroxine, on the contrary, you can lose in kilograms. In most cases, with properly selected doses of hormonal drugs, body weight does not undergo changes directly from the influence of hormones.

Myth 5. After taking hormones, mustaches begin to grow in women, and breasts in men.
Yes and no. It all depends on what specific hormones a person takes. For example, with prolonged use of glucocorticosteroids, such side effects may occur. True, the breasts in men increase due to obesity. The use of insulin will never lead to such an effect.

Myth 6. It is very dangerous to take hormones at a young age.
Wrong. In some cases, hormones can save a person's life. And it does not depend on age. With an attack of bronchial asthma or a severe allergic reaction, only the introduction of hormones can stop the pathological process and reverse it.

Myth 7. All hormonal contraceptives are the same.
This is not true. Different drugs contain different amounts and ratios of progestin and estrogen. In addition, there may be variations in the chemical composition of the components. This allows you to more accurately select the optimal drug for each woman individually with the maximum contraceptive effect and minimal side effects.

Myth 8. Hormones can be drunk irregularly, from time to time, it's not scary to miss a dose.
Not true. Hormonal drugs should be taken only according to the prescribed scheme and even by the hour. Otherwise, the hormonal background will fluctuate dramatically, which will not lead to the desired therapeutic effect, and may also adversely affect the health and course of the disease. For example, if insulin is not taken on time, the risk of coma with an unfavorable outcome increases.

Myth 9. Gradually, the body gets used to taking hormones.
To some extent this is true. If you take a hormonal drug for a long time, then your own glands begin to produce this hormone in smaller and smaller quantities. That is why doctors periodically prescribe periods of "rest" from a hormonal drug during long-term therapy.

Myth 10. Any hormone can be replaced by other drugs.
Most often this is not the case. For example, with a completely removed thyroid gland, it is necessary to take preparations of its hormones throughout life, and there is no alternative. The situation is similar with diabetes mellitus, when a person cannot live without insulin.

If the doctor prescribes you a hormonal drug, you do not need to be afraid of unpredictable consequences. Find out from the doctor all the incomprehensible moments, ask all the questions that concern you. Only with full confidence in the doctor and the treatment prescribed by him, you can achieve the maximum result.

No. Hormonal preparations are medicines obtained synthetically. They act like natural hormones produced in our body. There are many organs in the human body that secrete hormones: female and male reproductive organs, endocrine glands, central nervous system and others. Accordingly, hormonal preparations can be different, and they are prescribed for a variety of diseases.

Female hormonal preparations (containing female sex hormones) may or may not have a contraceptive effect. Sometimes, on the contrary, they normalize the hormonal background and contribute to the onset of pregnancy. Preparations containing male sex hormones are prescribed to men with a decrease in the quality of the ejaculate (that is, sperm motility), with hypofunction, and a decrease in the level of male sex hormones.

Myth 2: Hormones are prescribed only for very severe diseases

No. There are a number of non-severe diseases in which hormonal drugs are also prescribed. For example, decreased thyroid function (hypofunction). Doctors often prescribe hormones in this case, for example, thyroxine or eutiroks.

Myth 3: If you do not take a hormonal pill on time, then nothing bad will happen.

No. Hormonal preparations should be taken strictly by the hour. For example, a hormonal contraceptive pill works for 24 hours. Accordingly, it is necessary to drink it once a day. There are drugs that you need to drink 2 times a day. These are some male sex hormones, as well as corticosteroids (eg, dexamethasone). Moreover, it is recommended to take hormones at the same time of day. If you drink hormones irregularly, or forget to drink at all, the level of the necessary hormone can drop sharply.

For example, if a woman forgot to take a hormonal contraceptive pill, the next day she should drink the forgotten evening pill in the morning, and another pill in the evening of the same day. If the interval between doses was more than a day (recall: a hormonal contraceptive pill is valid for 24 hours), then the level of hormones in the blood will decrease very much. In response to this, slight spotting will certainly appear. In such cases, you can continue taking birth control pills, but additionally use protection for the next week. If more than 3 days have passed, it is necessary to stop taking hormones, use other means of contraception, wait for the onset of menstruation and additionally consult a doctor.

Myth 4: If you take hormones, they accumulate in the body

No. When the hormone enters the body, it immediately breaks 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.

Need to know: The mechanism of long-term action of hormones is not associated with their accumulation in the body. This is simply the principle of action of these drugs: "work" through other structures of the body.

However, hormonal drugs continue to "work" after they have stopped taking them. But they work indirectly. For example, a woman takes hormonal pills for several months, then stops taking them, and in the future she has no problems with her cycle.

Why is this happening? Hormonal drugs act on different target organs. For example, female birth control pills affect the ovaries, uterus, mammary glands, and parts of the brain. When the pill "left" the body, the mechanism that it launched continues to work.

Myth 5: Hormonal drugs are not prescribed during pregnancy

Discharged. 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.

Or another situation. Before pregnancy, the woman was fine, but with her onset, something suddenly went wrong. For example, she suddenly notices that intense hair growth has begun from the navel down and around the nipples. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor who can prescribe a hormonal examination, and, if necessary, prescribe hormones. Not necessarily female sex - it can be, for example, adrenal hormones.

Myth 6: Hormonal drugs have a lot of side effects, primarily weight gain.

There are almost no drugs without side effects. But you need to distinguish side effects that do not require discontinuation of the drug. For example, swelling of the mammary glands when taking contraceptive hormones is considered a normal phenomenon. Scanty spotting in the first or second months of admission in the intermenstrual period also has the right to be. Headache, dizziness, fluctuations in weight (plus or minus 2 kg) - all this is not a pathology and not a sign of a disease. Hormonal preparations are prescribed for a sufficiently long period. By the end of the first month, the body adapts, and everything returns to normal.

But, in order to avoid really serious problems associated with, say, blood vessels, it is imperative to be examined and tested before prescribing a medicine and while taking it. And only a doctor can prescribe you a specific hormonal drug that will not harm your health.

Myth 7: You can always find an alternative to hormones.

Not always. There are situations when hormonal drugs are indispensable. Let's say a woman under 50 had her ovaries removed. As a result, she begins to age and lose health very quickly. In this case, her body until the age of 55-60 must be supported by hormone therapy. Of course, provided that her underlying disease (due to which the ovaries were removed) has no contraindications to such an appointment.

Moreover, with some diseases, female sex hormones can be strictly recommended even by a neuropsychiatrist. For example, with depression.