Hormonal contraceptives: how long can they be taken without harm to the body. Hormonal drugs (contraceptives): action, effect on the body, consequences of taking

What is the effect of birth control pills on a woman’s body? Having decided to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, many girls choose hormonal contraception. However, before deciding to start taking hormonal pills, they are interested in what changes will occur in their body, and what is the effect of contraceptives on the body... Let's talk about it.

The principle of contraceptive action on a woman

Birth control pills contain small doses of female sex hormones – estrogen and progesterone (gestagen), which cause a number of changes in a woman’s body. What is the effect of the tablets?

Not all girls know this, but hormonal contraceptives (hormonal contraceptives) have three phases of protection against pregnancy. The first, most important stage is that they prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries for fertilization. Sometimes at this stage a failure can occur, that is, a mature egg in rare cases can still move into the fallopian tube, where it is usually fertilized by a sperm. For this, a condition is necessary - male reproductive cells must freely penetrate the woman’s fallopian tube.

Here the second line of defense is triggered - under the influence of hormones, the girl’s cervical mucus becomes viscous; through such a barrier, sperm simply cannot get to the fallopian tubes, where they will meet the egg. However, even in this scenario, failure may occur. If the most active and tenacious sperm can penetrate through the thick mucus to the egg and fertilize it, the last of the planned, third, protection options will work.

When taking birth control pills, the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity changes, it becomes loose, which makes it unfavorable soil for the implantation of an embryo. That is, the fertilized egg, having descended into the uterine cavity, will not be able to gain a foothold in the endometrial layer, which means that at this stage the pregnancy will end. Everything seems to be fine, but here it’s worth thinking about what effect these pills have on a woman’s body in terms of her health?

Positive effects of hormonal contraceptives on women

Thanks to taking HA, a girl can lead a normal sex life without fear of becoming pregnant. Many modern drugs significantly improve the quality of the menstrual cycle, making it regular and the periods themselves painless. With all this, menstrual flow becomes scanty and short-lived, and therefore causes almost no inconvenience to women. At their discretion, girls can either delay the approach of menstruation or bring its onset closer.

Having started taking birth control pills, many girls note a weakening of premenstrual syndrome - their mammary glands do not become engorged, and their mood remains at the same level. Drugs such as Yarina help relieve swelling, as well as moderate sebum production. Thanks to this, acne disappears and the condition of hair and nails improves. The positive effect of GCs also lies in the fact that their use helps reduce blood loss during menstruation, and the hemoglobin level is normalized.

It is known that even after short-term use of birth control pills (for 3-6 months) and their subsequent cancellation, it is much easier for girls to get pregnant. Thanks to these pills, the function of the ovaries is inhibited, and when they are stopped, the ovaries work more vigorously and stably. It is not for nothing that couples who cannot get pregnant for a long time are recommended this method. A woman takes hormonal contraceptives, then stops taking them, and over the next 2-3 months the long-awaited pregnancy almost always occurs.

Negative effects of birth control pills on a woman and her health

GC also has its negative sides. For example, if an incompetent doctor prescribed them to a girl, without taking into account the characteristics of her health, without taking into account her medical history and her habits, the pills can lead to serious health problems. The thing is that GCs taken orally have an effect on the cardiovascular system.

If a girl has problems with her veins, for example, thrombophlebitis, then birth control pills are contraindicated for her. When taken, the blood becomes thicker, clots can form in it, and this leads to thrombosis and other health problems. GCs are also not recommended for women who smoke, since the simultaneous use of nicotine and pills significantly increases the load on the heart.

There is information that girls who take birth control pills for a long time are at greater risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. Those at particular risk are those diagnosed with cervical erosion. All these features must be taken into account by the doctor prescribing the pills.

Birth control pills undoubtedly benefit healthy women, helping to cope with premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, and making menstrual periods more comfortable. However, if you have certain diseases, it is better to abstain from them, since the harm from taking them will exceed the benefits. You should never prescribe these pills yourself, because you don’t know whether they will suit you and what consequences they may lead to.

The drugs do not cause tumor formation. However, in the presence of cancer, such drugs can stimulate their further development. Therefore, before you start taking pills, undergo a full examination, just in case. Please note that hormone therapy requires caution.

As you know, the endocrine system of each of us is a kind of “hormonal skeleton” of our body, while all the glands that produce hormones, regardless of their location, are in close relationship, providing all the most important functions, both physical and psycho-emotional.

Our mental abilities, general well-being, appearance, mood, proper digestion, sleep, etc. depend on the coordinated work of these glands.

If for any reason a hormonal imbalance occurs in the body, in which the production of hormones is disrupted in one direction or another, then the person is prescribed appropriate treatment.

When planning a pregnancy

Lack of hormones is especially dangerous in situations where a woman dreams of motherhood, but, unfortunately, a lack of female hormones estrogen can become an obstacle to conception and normal development of the fetus.

For this reason, in the case when the desired pregnancy does not occur, the woman needs to be examined by an endocrinologist, and this must be done even when all other physical indicators are within normal limits.

In some cases, a woman may be prescribed hormones that serve as a stimulator for egg maturation. Hormone therapy can prevent or minimize the likelihood of miscarriage.

Of course, before using hormonal therapy, you should turn to simpler methods that can activate the work of the endocrine glands, because it is likely that the functional failure is insignificant.

Sometimes it is enough to normalize your diet, provide sufficient physical activity, spend more time in the fresh air, etc., that is, lead a healthy lifestyle.

It is also necessary to remain calm, since fatigue and chronic stress reduce the likelihood of conception by half. The fact is that these factors negatively affect the functioning of the adrenal glands, which, in turn, begin to produce hormones that are not necessary for the maturation of the egg.

For contraceptive purposes

One cannot fail to mention the category of women who use hormonal therapy to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Moreover, oral contraceptives can be purchased in our pharmacies without much difficulty, and their low content of hormones can prevent not only pregnancy, but also help in solving problems with excess weight, liver, and blood vessels.

Of course, no one can give an absolute guarantee that pregnancy can occur, but gynecologists still admit that birth control pills are one of the most reliable means.

By the way, such oral hormonal drugs are often prescribed for gynecological problems, for example, ovarian dysfunction, absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) in adolescence, etc.

However, there is one significant “but”: long-term use of drugs of this kind can “wean” the body from working independently, as a result of which it simply stops producing the necessary hormones in the required quantities.

Ultimately, this development of events is fraught with ovarian dysfunction, and, as a consequence, premature aging. For this reason, it is important to determine “your” drug by consulting a specialist and conducting an examination, which involves performing the necessary tests.

If you start taking one or another oral contraceptive uncontrollably, this can cause serious gynecological problems, including problems with conception.

If at this time it is determined that the body continues to function normally without taking medications, then you can return to their further use.

If you want to prolong youth

During the period of declining reproductive function, in order to prolong youth, some women also resort to hormone replacement therapy.

This method was especially popular in the USA and Great Britain in the sixties of the last century. But, at present, experts are skeptical about this method of prolonging youth, since, in their opinion, the use of hormonal drugs can provoke the development of breast and ovarian cancer, and also promotes the process of blood clots.

At the same time, some researchers are inclined to believe that the intake of additional amounts of estrogen into the female body is a good prevention of the development of osteoporosis, because this hormone prevents the leaching of calcium from the body. These arguments go against those who argue that hormone therapy can cause more harm than good.

Nevertheless, if you, for whatever reason, decide to use hormonal therapy, first of all, clearly understand for yourself for what purpose you need it. So, for example, in the case of a complex course of menopause, accompanied by hot flashes, increased sweating, and emotional swings, taking medications of this kind is completely justified.

But if the motives are only to postpone impending old age indefinitely, then in this case it will be more effective and safer to visit a psychologist and conduct a course of psychotherapy.

And if, for one reason or another, you have to take hormonal drugs for a long time, then you must first undergo a full examination, which in the future must be repeated every six months. The total duration of hormone replacement therapy should not exceed three to five years.

So you should still be careful when using hormonal treatment. Some gynecologists advise giving preference not to tablets, but to patches, suppositories, and gels, since these products contain fewer hormones.

For some female diseases, hormone therapy is the most effective treatment. Such drugs often cause concern among patients themselves: possible negative consequences are difficult to prevent. Side effects of hormonal drugs can be quite dangerous.

Properties of drugs

The composition of hormonal preparations includes substances whose properties are as close as possible to natural human hormones. Hormones are naturally produced in healthy people by certain glands:

• adrenal glands;
• endocrine gland;

• pituitary gland;
• pancreas.

Some diseases cause a malfunction that blocks the proper functioning of the systems responsible for the production of hormones.

Hormone-based drugs include several categories of drugs:

• supportive (for diabetics);
• contraceptives;
• regulatory;
• medicinal.

Products can be of both plant and synthetic origin.

Purpose of using hormonal drugs

Hormone therapy for the treatment of diabetes is represented by short-, medium- or long-acting insulin.

Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for the natural production of this substance. Its main task is to maintain normal glucose levels.

Therapeutic hormones are prescribed for therapy for the following disorders:

• inflammation;
• allergic diseases;
• tumors;
• anemia;
• gynecological pathologies;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• abortion.

Contraceptives often contain a certain combination of sex hormones - estrogen and progestin. Long-term use of such drugs changes the functioning of the ovaries, as a result of which the ovulation process is eliminated, and fertilization in this case becomes impossible.

In some cases, oral contraceptives also perform regulatory functions: they can be prescribed to “correct” hormonal levels in women. Such disruptions negatively affect not only sexual functions, but also the general condition of the body. Long-term violations lead to infertility and oncology.

The main hormonal imbalance in the female body occurs during menopause. After 35 years, the process of estrogen production slows down. Progesterone, which is needed to renew endometrial cells in the uterus, also decreases. At the last stage of menopause, the production of estrogen completely stops.

All body systems suffer from menopause, from the thyroid gland to carbohydrate metabolism. This negatively affects the quality of life. Premature menopause, caused by hormonal imbalance, is especially difficult for the body to tolerate. With the help of hormonal drugs, the level of estrogen and progesterone is brought closer to the natural norm.

Common Side Effects

Prevention and ways to reduce side effects

With the right approach to treatment, the negative impact of hormonal drugs on the body can be minimized. The greatest danger is treatment without the supervision of a specialist. Self-prescribing medication is very dangerous.

When using the drug, you must follow simple rules:

• purchase exactly the prescribed drug from a reliable manufacturer, without trying to find an analogue;
• carefully follow the dosage recommended by your doctor;
• take medications according to the prescribed schedule;
• do not skip taking a pill or injection;
• if missed, do not increase the dose in an attempt to correct hormonal levels.

During treatment, the body needs maximum support from the immune system. To raise it, it is recommended to take vitamin-mineral complexes in parallel with hormonal medications. It is worth considering that synthetic vitamins put a strain on the kidneys; they can be replaced with a balanced, proper diet.

The course of treatment is determined individually, but it is advisable that taking hormones last no longer than nine months. After taking medications, the body needs a short break. If necessary, treatment is resumed after 2–3 months.

In some pathological conditions, hormonal treatment is the patient's only chance for a full life. You cannot refuse to take medications, despite the extensive list of contraindications and side effects.

Hormonal pills are a group of medications containing hormones or their synthetic analogues. With their help, hormone therapy is carried out.

Show all

Principles of classification

In medicine, hormonal drugs are classified as follows:

• preparations of natural hormones (made from the glands of livestock, blood and urine of animals, humans);
• synthetic medicines;
• derivatives of hormonal substances.

Synthetic analogues differ in their structure from natural hormones, but have similar physiological effects. In the human body, hormones are produced to control vital functions.

Each gland produces certain substances:

• the pituitary gland produces gonadotropin, oxytocin;
• pancreas - insulin;
• adrenal glands - glucocorticosteroids (strong anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, analgesic substances), sex hormones, anabolics.

There is a false belief that hormonal drugs are harmful. Doctors say that drugs of this pharmacological group are an important and necessary addition to complex therapy. Often, medications provide a decent quality of life for severe patients (with chronic pathologies). In some cases, hormonal pills can save the patient's life.

Hormones are prescribed in the following cases:

• contraception;
• replacement therapy for menopause;
• combating testosterone deficiency;
• treatment of inflammation, allergies;
• combating hormonal deficiency in hypothyroidism, type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease;
• oncology therapy.



Oral contraception

This type of therapy is considered the most common way to use hormonal pills. Scientists have proven that high doses of sex hormones inhibit the ovulation process. This releases toxins. Then scientists synthesized hormonoids (substances with high efficiency and excellent tolerability). The resulting product is reliable protection against pregnancy without harming your figure. Extra pounds do not bother you, there is no shock concentration of the substance.

The effectiveness of all contraceptives is assessed using the Pearl index (determines the probability of pregnancy during the year with regular use of medications). The average value of the indicator is up to 3%. Typically, with regular use of contraceptives, the probability of pregnancy rarely exceeds 1%.

Doctors distinguish the following groups of hormonal pills:

1. 1. Combined.
2. 2. Non-combined (mini-pills).
3. 3. Female emergency contraception.



Combined medications

Combination drugs (COCs) are effective means for preventing pregnancy. They contain 2 main components: estrogen and gestagen. Ethinyl estradiol acts as estrogen, and levonorgestrel, norgestrel, and other synthetic hormones act as progestogen. The concentration of hormones is minimal, which ensures their safety. Undesirable reactions rarely occur when consumed: excess weight, breast tenderness, anorexia.



Monophasic medications include a constant concentration of hormones in all tablets. Despite the cyclical hormonal changes in the body, monophasic drugs are a strict dose of the hormone that is delivered daily. Doctors believe that these drugs are the best choice for active women under 35 years of age. Logest is the name of an effective drug in this group.

Logest is a hormonal drug produced in Germany. Contains 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 75 mcg gestodene. Ideal for young women as it is easy to use and transport.

Lindinet is a complete analogue of Logest. It differs in its dosage (it contains 30 mcg of estrogen). This is a Hungarian drug with excellent tolerability. Janine is a hormonal drug consisting of ethinyl estradiol and gestagen. The Pearl index when using the medication is 1%. It has some differences from other drugs: it has active androgenic activity (thanks to dienogest). Therefore, the medication is primarily prescribed for elevated levels of male sex hormones. New studies have proven that the drug has a strong hypocholesterolemic effect.



Effective drugs

Yarina is considered the most popular contraceptive pill. This German drug contains ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and drospirenone (3 mg). The product reduces cholesterol concentrations and has an antiadrogenic effect. Yarina is an excellent remedy for teenage acne; it is often prescribed for acne due to its ability to slow down the production of sebum and reduce the signs of the disease.

Diane-35 has a pronounced antiandrogenic effect, therefore it is widely used to combat acne and seborrhea. In addition, the drug is recommended for contraception in women with signs of hirsutism (excessive hair growth).



Jess is an effective remedy with antiandrogenic activity. Due to gestagens, all side effects of the drug are neutralized. Therefore, the drug is well tolerated. Jess alleviates the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, having a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. Low-dose COCs include Rigeviron, Femoden, Novinet, Miniziston, Regulon.

Biphasic medications

Biphasic drugs are complex hormonal tablets, the main difference of which is a higher concentration of gestagen. In this way they support the physiological cycle in the female body.

Three-phase COCs are presented in the form of groups of tablets. The concentration of estrogen is maximum, and the content of gestagen increases from phase 1 to phase 3. These drugs are more modern and act physiologically. Experts advise buying monophasic contraceptives. When the concentration of hormones changes, the dose of active substances increases. This most often provokes the appearance of side effects (especially in biphasic ones). Representatives of two-phase drugs: Anteovin, Bi-Novum. Three-phase drugs are represented by such medications as Triziston, Tri-regol, Trister.



The main action is to prevent the onset of unwanted pregnancy. This action, regardless of the composition and dosage of the medication, is based on blocking sex hormones responsible for ovulatory functions. The ovaries go into “sleep mode” and decrease in size. In a similar way, ovulation is suppressed and the properties of cervical mucus change.

For maximum effect and protection against pregnancy, it is important to use the drugs regularly throughout the entire course of therapy (21 or 28 days). They are taken once a day. What to do when you miss your next pill? It must be drunk as soon as you remember it. Then the drug is taken according to the old regimen, even if you have to take 2 tablets.

For effective and reliable protection, it is important to estimate the duration of the period during which the drugs were not used. Being up to 12 hours late does not require any additional action - protection against pregnancy remains close to 100%. A longer absence of contraception requires the use of additional protection (barrier, spermicidal contraception).



Pros and cons of using COCs

The medications in question have the following advantages:

• fight against menstrual disorders, PMS (normalize the cycle, reduce blood loss, minimize signs of PMS);
• treatment of acne, seborrhea, acne pathology (for this, COCs with antiandrogenic effects are used);
• prevention of benign breast formations;
• prevention of the development of ovarian cancer, endometrial carcinoma (protection from pathologies lasts up to 15 years after discontinuation of COCs).

Negative effects from taking combined hormonal drugs:

• the likelihood of side effects;
• need for daily use.



Contraindications to the use of combination drugs:

• thrombotic diseases of deep veins;
• diabetes;
• oncology;
• vaginal bleeding;
• liver diseases;
• age after 35 years;
• alcohol abuse;
• drug use;
• Many drugs are strictly forbidden to use if the kidneys or adrenal glands are damaged.

What is a "mini-pill"?

By “mini-pill” we mean contraceptives with one component - gestagen. The dose of the substance is minimal. Such medications are prescribed to persons over 35 years of age and to women with a history of diabetes mellitus. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to their use.



But mini-pills have a lower Pearl index. The use of such drugs provokes intermenstrual bleeding, the occurrence of ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancy. The contraceptive effect of the mini-pill decreases significantly if you take them at different times. The most common representatives of the group are Linestrenol and Levonorgestrel.

Urgent contraception is an ambulance in unforeseen situations. They contain high doses of hormones. Known emergency contraceptives:

• Postinor;
• Escapelle.



Menopause period

Menopause is another reason to use hormones. During this period, the following symptoms appear:

• irregular periods;
• hot flashes;
• sweating;
• tachycardia;
• vaginal dryness;
• osteoporosis.



The reason for such a bright clinical picture of the disease is estrogen deficiency. But the body can be successfully deceived by consuming estrogens. Medicines with a contraceptive effect are ideal.

For this purpose use:

• pure estrogen medications;
• estrogen-progesterone drugs;
• estrogen-progesterone-androgen combinations.

Most often, drugs of the first group are prescribed. They contain a conjugated hormone of animal origin (from the urine of mares). The most popular drugs: Estrofeminal, Premarin, Hormoplex. They should be taken daily at the same time of day for 3 weeks, then a week off.

Representatives of complex two-phase drugs:

1. 1. Divina is a Finnish remedy containing estradiol and gestagen.
2. 2. Klimonorm is a German drug from Bayer. Contains estradiol and levonorgestrel.
3. 3. Clymene includes estradiol and cyproterone.



Three-phase medications are used constantly (Trisiquens, Trisequens forte.)

Replacement therapy: contraindications

There are conditions in which hormonal therapy is strictly prohibited:

• breast cancer;
• endometrial oncology;
• liver damage;
• uterine fibroids.



Side effects:

• mood swings;
• intermenstrual bleeding.

Before prescribing such therapy, a complete examination of patients is carried out. Hormonal treatment is the main way to fight cancer. Similar therapy is used to combat hormonally sensitive tumors. Hormones inhibit the growth of cancer cells, improving the well-being of patients.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is treated with hormonal medications?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is hormone replacement therapy?

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

There are several types of hormone replacement therapy:

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

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

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

Substitution therapy uses drugs such as:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oral contraception

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

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

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

Modern contraceptives are classified into three categories:

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

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

Combined hormonal contraceptives

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

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

Combined contraceptives:

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

Hormonal products for men

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rules for taking hormonal drugs (GP):

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

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