In the life of every woman there comes a period when the reflection in the mirror pleases her less and less. New wrinkles appear, the face contour changes, the skin fades. Many ladies seek to restore beauty through various cosmetic procedures and forget that all external changes are the result of internal ones. To prolong youth for several years will allow not newfangled cream or injection, but menopausal hormone therapy.
Youth and hormones
Age-related changes that occur with women during menopause, best demonstrate the dependence of beauty on hormones. The skin begins to age faster as soon as estrogen production is reduced. In addition, hormones affect the emotional state of a woman, her weight and libido. Without a sufficient production of these substances, the normal functioning of the body is impossible.
The maximum amount of hormones is produced in women aged 25 to 30 years. Then begins a gradual decrease in their level. Symptoms indicating a lack of hormones in the body are:
- decreased performance;
- muscle sagging;
- decreased sex drive;
- frequent mood swings, depression;
- an increase in the number of wrinkles, a decrease in skin elasticity;
- the appearance of pain in large joints;
- omission of internal organs;
- death of tissue cells and organs, which subsequently leads to a deterioration of the immune system, thyroid and pancreas, kidneys and liver.
For the health of the body, absolutely all hormones are important. But for the beauty of a woman, genital play a paramount role - this is progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. The production of these hormones begins to decline from the age of 35. As a result of such changes, the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen is disrupted, muscle tissue breaks down, and fat takes its place.
Further changes that occur with the body bring even more frustration to women. Hair begins to grow more slowly and fall out faster, memory worsens, performance decreases, episodes of irritability and depression appear more often. Often there are violations of sexual function, there may be problems with urination.
Directly on hormones, bone density also depends. Therefore, ladies in age are subject to osteoporosis. Contributes to fractures and excess weight. During menopause, a significant increase in adipose tissue occurs, while muscle is constantly destroyed. The risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease is increasing.
Hormone replacement therapy in menopause is able to maintain health and significantly prolong youth. It is necessary for every woman, provided that there are no contraindications. Replenishing the deficit of these essential substances allows you to maintain the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen, prevents the development of osteoporosis and the breakdown of muscle tissue, and prevents the aging of the body.
Indications and principle of action of hormone therapy
Doctors of ancient civilizations knew that in the human body the production of hormones decreases with age. They made attempts to prevent this process. We can say that the first hormone replacement therapy for menopause was invented in ancient Egypt. Doctors prepared extracts from the sexual glands of animals and prescribed this drug to their wealthy patients.
Modern women have the opportunity to remain attractive for as long as they wish. Sports, a healthy lifestyle, adherence to the principles of good nutrition, regular visits to a cosmetologist can maintain health and a young appearance. And also significantly extend the period of active life.
In many European countries and the USA, most women choose hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Endocrinologists joke that this is the only way to make the body think that it is younger than it actually is. Not all domestic experts agree with this opinion. They are in no hurry to apply hormone therapy to their patients, guided by the fact that it has an impressive list of side effects.
In the course of numerous clinical studies, European physicians have understood how risks can be minimized. The likelihood of side effects is reduced if the following conditions are met:
- Hormone therapy for menopause is prescribed and canceled in a timely manner.
- The patient must strictly follow all the recommendations of a specialist. It is very dangerous to change the dosage of drugs on your own.
- Hormone therapy should be prescribed only if indicated.
- For treatment, you should choose proven and reliable drugs that have a minimal list of side effects.
- The dosage of the drug should be prescribed by the doctor only after receiving all the tests.
Some patients have a negative attitude towards hormone therapy during menopause. They consider such treatment unnatural. But there are other reasons:
- Fear of weight gain.
- Belief that using hormones can be addictive.
- Fear of the appearance of more hair in unwanted places.
- Fears that taking hormonal drugs will lead to the development of cancer.
These are actually prejudices. The problem is that not all patients understand how hormone therapy can delay menopause. This is possible due to timely correction started.
After forty years, all women need microdoses of bioidentical hormones. In this case, there is no shortage of these substances and the aging of the body slows down significantly. Properly selected drugs and doses are not able to harm. On the contrary, they strengthen health, protecting the patient from the development of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Indications for hormone therapy for women:
- The desire of the patient to prolong youth.
- Climax, which came before 40 years.
- A woman’s desire to prevent the development of pathologies such as polycystic ovary, hypertension, vaginal dryness, hypertension, and urinary incontinence.
- Menopause, developed as a result of taking chemotherapeutic agents or after removal of the uterus.
Hormone therapy and pathology
Often, at the onset of perimenopause, patients have one or more chronic diseases. They fear that hormone replacement therapy for women can lead to exacerbation of old and the emergence of new pathologies. In most cases, these fears are groundless. Hormone therapy can alleviate the condition of the patient with the following diseases:
- Osteoarthrosis. Properly selected drugs slow down progressive diseases, reduce the intensity of pain. The effect on the knee joints is more pronounced than on the hip.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Hormone therapy prevents the reduction of bone mineral density, and also improves trophic muscle.
- Osteoporosis. This is one of those diseases in which the positive effect of menopausal hormone therapy is undeniable. MHT for osteoporosis is the most effective treatment. Such therapy reduces the risk of fractures in all age groups, even older ones.
- COPD It is proved that in women during menopause, this pathology is more severe. Hormone therapy alleviates the condition of patients.
- Bronchial asthma. Synthetic estrogens can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. Such drugs are categorically not suitable for patients with bronchial asthma. But taking natural estrogens, especially in combination with progestogens, helps to prevent exacerbations and significantly alleviates the condition of patients.
- Arterial hypertension. Studies by scientists have proven that menopausal hormone therapy helps lower blood pressure and also restores normal circadian rhythm.
- Coronary heart disease. In this case, the effect of hormones is ambiguous. If therapy was started on time, that is, during the period of perimenopause, it will have a cardioprotective effect. Its contribution to reducing mortality from vascular pathologies is much higher than from taking acetylsalicylic acid. But in the event that a woman older than 60 begins to receive MHT for the first time, this can harm her body.
- Urogenital tract infections. Estrogens normalize the microflora of the vagina, lowering its pH level. Preparations with these substances are allowed to be used for as long as necessary for the complete disappearance of symptoms.
- Diabetes. A correctly selected drug does not aggravate insulin resistance.
- Obesity. Modern menopausal hormone therapy does not provoke, but, on the contrary, prevents weight gain. The accumulation of fat, especially in the abdomen, is significantly reduced while taking estrogen. Insulin sensitivity is reduced. This minimizes the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The correct selection of drugs by the doctor allows you to use MHT for most diseases. A woman can only strictly follow the recommendations of a specialist and enjoy her reflection in the mirror.
Progesterone preparations
Drugs with progesterone help eliminate menopause symptoms and support hormone-dependent functions, so they are often used in menopausal hormone therapy. The doctor selects the clinical recommendations (treatment protocol) individually for each patient after receiving the results of the tests.
The most effective drugs include:
- "Utrozhestan". Capsules for intravaginal or oral administration. "Utrozhestan" should be taken at night, on an empty stomach. This is a hormone of natural origin. It is usually well tolerated. In some cases, it can cause migraines and bloating. The cost of the drug is 4,500 rubles.
- Dufaston. The most prescribed drug, which uses a hormone of synthetic origin, but in structure similar to natural. When taking it, the contraceptive effect is absent. An increase in temperature, an increase in body weight and an increase in blood coagulation does not cause. In severe liver pathologies, Duphaston is contraindicated. Estimated cost of the drug is 550 rubles.
- Norkolut. A significant advantage of the drug is its cost, which does not exceed 200 rubles. Unfortunately, this tool has an impressive list of contraindications and side effects.
- "Linestrenol". A synthetic progestogen, the effect on the body of which is similar to natural. Unpleasant symptoms of menopause disappear after the first days of taking the drug. Its cost is 3,500 rubles.
- Veraplex. The drug is able to inhibit the development of hormone-sensitive tumors. "Veraplex" is prescribed to patients with some types of oncology, in postmenopausal women.
Despite the effectiveness of these drugs, none of them can prevent ovarian dysfunction. But it is possible to significantly improve the course of menopause with these drugs. The main thing is to strictly comply with all the doctor's recommendations, otherwise you can cause irreparable harm to health.
Estrogen preparations
During puberty of a woman, the production of estrogen begins. Under their control, the synthesis of hyaluronic acid occurs. Estrogen allows the skin to retain moisture, stimulates cell regeneration, is responsible for the emotional state of a woman and the strength of her bone tissue. It also protects against excess weight.
Drugs with estrogens are almost always prescribed for menopausal hormone therapy. Recommendations for admission depend on the results of the patient's tests. Most often, estrogens must be taken in combination with progesterones. But there may be exceptions, for example, if a hysterectomy was performed. In this case, estrogen monotherapy is recommended.
The list of the best drugs includes:
- Divigel. This is one of the best remedies for artificial and natural menopause. It protects against the development of osteoporosis. The drug is available in the form of a gel. Its minimum dose is 1 g per day. The decision on how much "Divigel" a particular patient should use can only be made by her doctor. It also determines the duration of treatment. Apply the product on clean skin of the lower body. The cost of the drug is 650 rubles.
- Estrogel. The use of this remedy relieves the symptoms of menopause within the first week. The gel is recommended to be applied to the skin of the forearm. The cost of the drug is 800 rubles.
- "Proginova." This drug is used for menopause hormone therapy to treat disorders that adversely affect quality of life. The drug is available in tablets. The cost of the drug is 600 rubles.
- Klimara. Available in the form of a transdermal system. The patch remains for seven days. It is recommended to glue along the spine or on the skin of the buttocks. It is forbidden to fasten in the chest area. In the event that the product was applied correctly, taking a bath or shower will not lead to its peeling. The price of the drug is 1250 rubles.
- Estramon. Another effective transdermal system. One patch can remain on the skin for three to four days. It is necessary to glue it on the skin of the outer side of the thigh. The cost of the drug is 5300 rubles.
Combination drugs
Leading pharmacological concerns have created a number of modern combined drugs. Menopausal hormone therapy is so effective precisely because the gynecologist is able to accurately select the dose necessary for the patient. The latest generation products contain both progesterone and estrogen. They are most often prescribed to women who have no concomitant diseases.
The list of the best drugs includes:
- Klimonorm. As part of the drug - levonorgestrel and estradiol valerate. The tool normalizes the emotional state, slows down the aging process of the skin. Not recommended for women over the age of 65. The price of the drug is 850 rubles.
- "Femoston." This tool used in the treatment of menopause, reliably protects against the development of osteoporosis and malignant neoplasms. The cost of the drug is 950 rubles.
- Angelique Clinical studies confirm that taking the drug protects against the development of menopausal osteoporosis, relieves depression, improves skin and hair. It also protects against bowel cancer. The price for packaging the product is 1300 rubles.
Contraindications and side effects
Menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective way to prolong youth. And also this is the only method that can prevent menopausal disorders, the effectiveness of which has been proven.
The first drugs that were used for treatment had an impressive list of contraindications. Therefore, few women could use this effective means of preserving youth and beauty. Since the last generation of drugs appeared, the list of contraindications has been markedly reduced.
A complete refusal of therapy is necessary in this case:
- Malignant tumors (breast, liver or endometrium).
- Intrauterine bleeding.
- Hepatitis.
- Thromboembolism.
- Disorders of fat metabolism.
- Porphyria.
- Deep vein thrombosis.
Modern ultra-low dosage drugs minimize the risks of side effects. And in the event that a woman clearly complies with all the doctor's recommendations, the appearance of unwanted reactions is observed in exceptional cases. Nevertheless, taking hormonal therapy drugs can sometimes cause the development of such side effects:
- migraine;
- bloating;
- thrombosis;
- change in libido;
- nausea;
- hair loss
- tachycardia;
- impaired liver function;
- benign tumors of the mammary glands;
- change in body weight;
- acne
- constipation;
- vaginitis.
Opponents of hormone therapy
In 2002, a group of scientists from the United States, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Sweden prepared a report on the effectiveness of menopausal hormone therapy. The recommendations of the specialists were as follows: in all cases when it is possible, alternative methods of treatment should be chosen.
Researchers found that all previously released data that spoke about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy were provided by unreliable sources. Shocking results were obtained during new studies involving control groups. , - . , , 50 % . . , . , .
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Reviews
Remaining always young and beautiful is the dream of every woman. Partially realize this desire is capable of hormonal therapy. The reviews of those patients who have been taking drugs for a long time confirm their effectiveness.
Women write that depression and anxiety disappear after three to four days of admission. The condition of the skin and hair improves noticeably after a few weeks. Patients who decide on hormone therapy say that they look much younger than their peers who refused such treatment.