Hormonal contraceptives involve the use of estrogen and progestin analogues to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The contraceptive effect is mediated by negative feedback in the hypothalamus, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the pituitary gland's secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Ovulation cannot occur without sufficient LH in the body. Low progestin levels reduce the likelihood of egg implantation by changing the structure of cervical mucus, reducing tubal motility and endometrial proliferation. Today, taking hormonal contraceptives is the most common form of contraception.
General mechanism of their action
The physical and emotional state of a person is influenced by hormonal levels. They take part in almost all vital processes. The body monitors their quantity, and if there is a deficiency or excess, it sends signals about the imbalance of hormones. To restore balance, special medications are prescribed.
There are various reasons why women are prescribed hormonal pills. But to do this, she needs to undergo certain tests to determine the exact ratio of hormones. Then these drugs will benefit her body and restore hormonal levels.
Indications for use
There are a number of indications when these medications would be appropriate:
- endocrine diseases;
- deficiency of hormones produced;
- disorders in the female reproductive system;
- mastopathy/fibroids;
- contraception;
- acne;
- menopause
In any case, before using them, a woman should consult a doctor. He will be able to accurately determine which hormone deficiency is observed in the body. The doctor will determine the reason, because there are pills for each of the listed indications.
Emergency methods of contraception
The general classification of hormonal contraceptives contains one more name. This is an emergency contraception technique that involves a small disruption in the body to prevent conception. As a rule, the drug is produced in the form of one, less often two, tablets. Effective in case of unprotected sexual intercourse if taken within 48-72 hours of sexual intercourse. The earlier the tablet is taken, the higher its effectiveness. Due to a large dose of hormones, the cycle changes. Not recommended for frequent use.
Contraindications
Like any medical drug, hormonal drugs have contraindications for use:
- bad habits (smoking, alcohol and drug addiction);
- increased blood clotting;
- disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- excess body weight;
- liver and kidney failure;
- migraine;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- high risk of blood clots;
- diseases associated with hormonal levels;
- oncological diseases;
- diabetes;
- pancreatitis.
For the listed contraindications, a person is prescribed a specific treatment. And the medications he takes may be incompatible with hormonal pills. Therefore, you cannot buy them yourself without medical advice.
Side effects
Despite many positive reviews, hormonal drugs have side effects. But this does not mean that they will manifest themselves in everyone - everything is individual. The likelihood of their appearance increases if a woman chose them herself.
Side effects include unwanted hair growth, the appearance of acne, pimples, deterioration of hair condition, etc. When taking hormonal contraceptives, there may be pain or pulling sensations in the mammary glands, allergic reactions. The most common side effect is problems with weight, most often weight gain.
If you abruptly discontinue the drug, you should not immediately expect results. Especially if the exposure to hormones was long-term. The body will need time to restore balance, and in some cases you will have to consult a doctor for treatment.
Hormonal patch: stick it on and go
The action of hormonal contraceptives of this kind is really as simple as possible. Externally, this patch is similar to a classic adhesive plaster; it is easily applied to the skin, fixed with a sticky layer and adheres flawlessly, despite clothing and simple hygiene procedures. The advantages of using such a patch are as follows :
- no need to interrupt sex to attach a sticker to your body;
- no need to be examined before use. However, remembering that this remedy is hormonal, you should use it with caution for the first time;
- reduces the flow of menstrual blood in those who suffer from heavy bleeding;
- reduces pain during menstruation;
- The sticker is changed according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. One patch is applied once a week, this procedure is repeated for 3 weeks. Then 1 week - break;
- after final removal, the woman quickly returns to normal and can plan a pregnancy on the recommendation of a doctor.
Studies have shown that the patches are not inferior to combination oral contraceptives and mini-pills. It is enough to print the product and stick it on the cleansed skin of the shoulder, abdomen or buttocks.
The operating principle of this product is as follows:
- preventing the ovaries from producing eggs;
- thickening of the mucous layer in the cervix, which complicates the penetration of sperm into the organ and makes fertilization impossible;
- thinning of the uterine mucosa, which prevents the introduction of the egg into the endometrial layer.
The use of hormonal contraceptives in the form of patches has shown effectiveness in 91% of cases. Despite the good result, do not forget that the sticker does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections, and therefore is recommended for use with other protective means. The disadvantage of this method of contraception is that it is noticeable, can become saturated with dust and look untidy on the skin. Not suitable for people with sensitive skin as it may cause irritation.
Varieties
The drugs are divided into groups of hormones:
- Glands of the adrenal cortex - they are used to combat allergic reactions and inflammatory processes. They also act as a pain reliever.
- Thyroid gland - with a deficiency or excess of hormones.
- Sexual ones, which include androgens, estrogens and gestagens.
- Medicines with an anabolic effect.
- Pituitary gland.
- Pancreas, which includes insulin.
Tablets are selected based on the results of the analysis to restore hormonal balance.
Features of application
Therapy that is based on taking hormonal drugs is called replacement therapy. The patient has to take such medications for a long time to make up for the deficiency or excess. Each group of hormones has a specific mechanism of action that must be taken into account.
Contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptive pills are classified as oral contraceptives. And they are one of the popular ways to protect against unplanned pregnancy. The mechanism of their action is based on the influence of female hormones on the reproductive system. Tablets are prescribed only by a gynecologist to avoid negative effects on the body.
Estrogens
Their levels are higher in women than in men. There are three subtypes of this hormone:
- estrone, which appears with the onset of menopause;
- estradiol, which is present in all women of reproductive age;
- estriol is produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
But sometimes the concentration of estrogen is not normal. The reasons for this may be bleeding, difficulties with bearing a child, problems with the reproductive system and mammary glands. These drugs are prescribed by a gynecologist.
Drugs in this group can be prescribed to women who want to increase breast size. Of course, genetic factors also influence this, but the amount of tarragon also plays a role. There are hormonal pills that cause size changes. This effect is due to the influence of prolactin and progesterone.
Therefore, if a lady’s goal is to increase her bust, it would be useful to use a special cream and monitor her diet. But no one guarantees that a woman will experience a significant increase in breast size.
Also, estrogen hormones affect the process of conceiving a child. Therefore, a woman needs to undergo tests to determine the ratio of hormones in the reproductive system. If there are difficulties in conceiving, the gynecologist will prescribe medications containing estrogen and progesterone.
Thyroid gland
Thyroid hormone deficiency leads to:
- atherosclerosis;
- decreased cognitive activity;
- completeness;
- anemia.
Thyroid problems can occur even in young people. Signs may include constant loss of strength, apathy, and disruption of the functioning of other organs.
For weight gain and acne control
Hormonal pills can lead to weight gain. Therefore, they are prescribed to patients with anorexia or who are too thin. But this property is abused by athletes who want to build muscle mass in a short time. However, corticosteroids and sex hormones are prohibited in Russia, so they use somatostatin.
An endocrinologist can prescribe such drugs. He will select the optimal dosage so that weight gain occurs gradually.
Some people also rely on hormonal pills to combat acne. They normalize sebum production, which helps effectively fight acne. But this therapy has side effects:
- sudden mood swings;
- weight gain;
- the appearance of a headache.
After completing a course of hormonal therapy, acne may return. Therefore, in parallel, you need to take antibacterial drugs, preferably not antibiotics. The endocrinologist prescribes pills that contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They help maintain normal levels of androgens, which affect the production of subcutaneous sebum.
Vaginal ring and injectable progestin
Indications for use are similar to those that accompany oral contraceptives. The vaginal ring is flexible and works through a combination of ethyl estradiol and etonogestrel. Inserted into the vagina, held in place for 3 weeks, and then discarded. After menstrual bleeding caused by withdrawal symptoms, a new ring is inserted and the whole process is repeated.
Injectable progestin is a synthetic form of progesterone. Used for contraception, as well as in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and signs of endometriosis. Available as an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. It is administered once every three months. Its effectiveness is often higher than that of other contraceptives, up to 94%.
Popular drugs
Each group has a number of popular drugs that have many positive reviews and are highly effective. However, you cannot prescribe them yourself, because you need to know the exact ratio of hormones in the body.
Contraceptives
This is one of the popular contraceptive options. Many women choose pills on their own, based on advertising and reviews. Therefore, side effects are often observed - weight gain, unstable emotional background, etc. But if they are prescribed by a specialist, then the risk of their occurrence is minimized.
- "Diana 35" contains a small concentration of hormones. In addition to contraception, it helps to cope with the problem of seborrhea, reduce the amount of male hormones in the female body, and normalizes the production of sebum. Upon completion of the course, the woman can become pregnant.
- Lindinet 20 is one of the new oral contraceptives. It contains very small amounts of hormones, which minimizes the occurrence of side effects. Normalizes the menstrual cycle and is a preventive measure against the occurrence of diseases of the reproductive system.
- "Jess" is not only a contraceptive, but also an effective way to combat acne. Its main advantage is that there is no risk of weight gain.
There are other tablets with similar effects. They are prescribed by a gynecologist after the woman has passed all the necessary tests to choose the appropriate remedy.
Estrogen drugs
Therapy with their use is prescribed if a woman has problems with the reproductive system or during menopause. They help not only normalize its functioning, but also have a beneficial effect on the emotional state.
- "Dermestril" contains estradiol, it is prescribed during menopause. It not only helps normalize hormonal levels, but also helps cope with sleep disorders and sudden mood swings.
- "Divigel" has a beneficial effect on specific female organs. It also has a positive effect on the development of secondary female sexual characteristics and normalizes the menstrual cycle.
The modern pharmaceutical market offers a large selection of hormonal drugs. But only a doctor can prescribe them, and he also determines their dosage and course duration.
Intrauterine device and subdermal implant
When considering all types of hormonal contraceptives, the intrauterine device (IUD) cannot be overlooked. The small contraceptive device is often T-shaped. A doctor inserts it into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. Non-hormonal IUDs and hormonal modifications are available
The material from which these contraceptives are made is varied. It can be plastic, copper, silver and even gold. The price of intrauterine devices varies widely. These are long-term monitoring devices that can remain in place for 3-5 years or more. It all depends on the type and brand. The efficiency is very high and is 99% . As for the implant, it is inserted subcutaneously into the forearm area and is effective for 3 years. The principle of action is the same, due to the content of progestin.
Where to buy hormonal drugs in Moscow with delivery
Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular. They allow you to save time on purchasing goods and purchase them at competitive prices. A wide range of hormonal tablets is presented in “Your Pharmacy No. 1”.
The network of this online pharmacy offers customers medications that meet all high healthcare standards. You can view the product in the online catalog, where all medications are divided into categories, which saves your time.
“Your Pharmacy No. 1” has 34 branches in Moscow, and any of them will be able to deliver your online order. Home delivery of medications is prohibited, so arrange for delivery to one of the branches closest to you. You can find out about their operating hours on the “Your Pharmacy No. 1” website and place an order at a time convenient for you.
