In the article, we consider drugs containing female hormones estrogens.
Depending on what gender a person belongs to, certain hormones dominate in his body. Thanks to them, the formation of secondary sexual characteristics occurs. In the female body, this function belongs to estrogen - steroid hormones. Their exposure allows a woman to be a woman. They are produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex, and during pregnancy - the placenta.
What are their functions, why should they be normal, and what medications containing female hormones estrogen will lead to the desired goal?
The main functions of these hormones
At a normal level of estrogen, a woman is able to perform her reproductive function, feels good and looks great. Lack of hormones provokes infertility and deterioration of appearance. However, excess is no less dangerous; it causes hormone-dependent tumors.
At a certain age in the girl’s body, the production of estrogen is activated, this process is called puberty. In the tissues of the genital organs under the influence of hormones, a certain restructuring occurs. In addition, estrogens contribute to the growth of mammary glands, the roundness of body shapes, as well as the development of interest in the male half of the population.
Estrogens in combination with other hormones affect the body's metabolism. If everything is normal in general, the appearance of hair and skin in women is improving.
Indications for appointment
Drugs containing female hormones estrogens are prescribed for:
- insufficiency of ovarian function, characterized by a decrease or cessation of hormone production;
- menopause to relieve unpleasant symptoms;
- removal of the uterus with appendages when there is no production of its own hormones;
- conditions caused by an excess of male hormones (this includes androgenic alopecia and acne);
- genital maldevelopment;
- for contraception, in which women use pills, as well as a gel.
In case of insufficient production of estrogen, irregular menstruation and infertility occur. Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen drugs can help normalize reproductive function.
Also used for these purposes are vaginal products that restore tissue of the vagina and cervix.
What varieties of estrogen-containing drugs exist?
Drug groups
All drugs containing female hormones estrogens can be divided into 2 groups. So, allocate:
- Therapeutic. This includes any medications that are used to adjust the level of hormones in endocrine pathologies.
- Contraceptive. Here the name speaks for itself. This group of drugs is prescribed to protect against unwanted pregnancy.
For a long time in medical practice, medications have been used that positively affect the hormonal background of women. They have certain advantages, as well as disadvantages, that is, they can harm the body. Pharmacological companies are developing the latest drugs with less pronounced side effects. The doctor can prescribe them only for certain indications.
Varieties
Consider the main varieties of drugs with estrogen in the composition.
- Natural steroids that contain female hormones from biological organisms, usually from animal urine. This is the main reason for the frequent occurrence of allergic reactions to the drug in patients.
- Synthetic analogs obtained in the laboratory by chemical means. These drugs are highly effective, they are used to treat many hormone-dependent ailments.
- Phytoestrogens, which are obtained by synthesis from plant materials. They are used mainly if there is a lack of natural production of hormones by the body, for example, with menopause.
Hormone pills
According to their composition, drugs are divided into the following types:
- drugs that exclusively include estrogens;
- combined agents with estrogens and gestagens.
All hormonal drugs for women are also divided according to the direction of exposure:
- oral contraceptives;
- means for hormone replacement therapy.
Means that are used to compensate for the lack of hormones in the body of a woman are designed to restore reproductive function in women. They are also effective for irregular menstruation.
Such medications alleviate the symptoms of menopause and have a beneficial effect on the hormonal background in pregnant women. In the composition of such tablets, estradiol most often acts as estrogen.
The names of the drugs in tablets with female hormones estrogens are given below.
Most popular remedies
The following drugs are most popular among them:
- Estradiol. It is mainly prescribed for menopause in order to restore hormonal levels.
- Premarin. If there are malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, this drug is used. It is also effective for uterine bleeding.
- Microgynon. This drug, like the previous one, is included in the group of combined estrogen-progestogen drugs.
- "Proginova." It can be prescribed for hormonal deficiency. This drug, like the previous one, is very effective.
- Gormopleks is a drug with a wide spectrum of action. Let's admit to taking, regardless of the reasons for the lack of hormones, age also does not matter.
- "Estrofeminal" - is used to treat infertility. Stabilizes the level of hormones in women who are of reproductive age.
- Ovestin. The active substance in this medication is estriol. Indications for its use are signs of menopause, infertility. May help with concomitant conditions after surgical removal of a woman’s reproductive organs. Instructions for use, price and reviews of "Ovestin" are presented below.
- Triquilar is a combination estrogen-progestogen drug containing high doses of hormones.
A doctor should prescribe medication. Self-medication is unacceptable.
Hormonal contraceptives
Below are the most popular contraceptives:
- "Janine";
- "Femoden";
- Lindinet
- "Active";
- "Yarina."
All of these birth control pills are considered monophasic contraceptives, in which the estrogen content is quite low. Their action is based on the fact that when synthetic estrogen enters the body, the production of natural hormones is ensured, as a result, ovulation does not occur.
Prescribe any such drugs, including contraceptives, usually in conjunction with progestational drugs.
What other hormonal preparations containing estrogen are there?
Vaginal preparations
On sale you can find preparations in the form of a gel or cream containing female hormones.
These funds are introduced into the vagina using an applicator. In this form, the hormone has a beneficial effect on the tissues of the female genital organs and the urination system. The cream effectively removes the unpleasant symptoms of menopause and prevents changes that have arisen due to a lack of hormones. A similar effect is noted in vaginal tablets with estrogens and suppositories.
The most popular vaginal drugs:
- "Fire";
- Ovestin;
- Estrace;
- Estraderm;
- "Estrogel."
Consider the instructions for use, price and reviews of Ovestin.
Medication "Ovestin"
The hormonal drug is prescribed during the postmenopausal period. This remedy eliminates malfunctions of the female reproductive system. It contains estrogens that positively affect the body.
Consider how to use the drug.
- Cream. If there is atrophy of the lower parts of the genitourinary system, Ovestin ointment is prescribed at a dose of 1 per day for the first 1-2 weeks, followed by a decrease in dosage. Before surgery, use a daily dose of 2 weeks.
- Tablets. No more than 8 mg is prescribed per day. With atrophy of the lower parts of the genitourinary system, 4-8 mg / day are taken for 1 month, then the dosage is reduced. During menopause, 4-8 mg are taken for a week.
- Candles Introduced into the vagina before bedtime. 1 suppository is prescribed per day for a 2-week course with a gradual dose reduction to one suppository 2 times a week.
The cost of candles is 1250 rubles, cream - 1300, 1300 tablets. It depends on the region and the pharmacy chain.
There are a lot of positive reviews about this drug. It suits women, is well tolerated, rarely causes side effects.
Norkolut
According to the instructions for use with Norkolut tablets, the medication contains norethisterone as an active active substance. In its effect, it is similar to gestagen (a hormone that ensures the normal course of pregnancy). With a lack of these substances, infertility, a violation of the menstrual cycle, and spontaneous abortion often develop. The medication is prescribed for:
- precancerous conditions (endometrial hyperplasia);
- during menopause;
- mastodynia;
- dysmenorrhea;
- menstruation without ovulation (anovulatory metrorrhagia);
- uterine diseases;
- diseases of the mammary glands;
- uterine hypoplasia;
- premenstrual syndrome;
- the need to interrupt lactation (production of breast milk);
- as a contraceptive (a doctor should prescribe a dosage for these purposes).
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude the presence of any malignant neoplasms (tumors).
Duphaston and Proginova when planning pregnancy
These medicines complement and enhance each other's action. With their joint administration, you can get rid of several problems that are associated with a lack of hormones necessary for pregnancy and an too small thickness of the endometrium. "Proginova" contains the hormonal substance estradiol, "Dufaston" contains gestagen. In each case, the scheme for the use of medicines is selected individually.
Does the drug containing female hormones estrogen "Stella"?
The drug "Stella"
It is a biologically active additive, a non-hormonal drug based on natural components of plant origin. Thanks to this tool, estrogen metabolism is normalized and the development of hormone-dependent pathologies of the female reproductive system is prevented.
Assign to adults 1 capsule of yellow in the morning, 1 capsule of green in the afternoon, 1 capsule of red in the evening. It is necessary to take the medicine from the first day of menstruation.
What preparations contain estrogens can be checked with your doctor.
Phytoestrogens in the form of tablets
In the manufacture of medicines based on herbal analogues of hormones, phytoestrogens are used in the form of:
- lignans;
- Salonins - steroid and triterpenoid;
- acid resorcilyl lactones;
- isoflavones;
- kumestanov;
- phytosterols.
It is important to understand that phytoestrogens are contained in extremely small quantities in herbs and foods. In production, extracts from plants are used to increase the effectiveness of drugs.
Phytoestrogens are contained in the following preparations:
- "Inoklime" - made on the basis of estrogens, which are isolated from soy. It has high efficiency, in addition, this drug practically does not cause adverse reactions.
- "Feminale" - made from the extract of red clover. This drug eliminates the manifestations of menopause, improves the work of the cardiovascular system, and also strengthens the bone tissue.
- "Estrovele", "Qi-Klima", "Klimadinone." These drugs contain natural phytoestrogens, which are obtained from the plant of Cimiput. Their composition supplements the vitamin and mineral complex. Therefore, against the background of their intake, the appearance of the fair sex is significantly improved.
- “Klimafem” - the composition of the medication also contains natural phytoestrogens, which are obtained from hops and red clover. This remedy effectively eliminates the manifestations of menopause, and improves the condition of the skin.
Negative reactions of the body to these drugs
When taking tablet estrogen, the development of the following side effects is not excluded:
- breast enlargement;
- swelling of the limbs;
- weight gain;
- seizures
- loss of appetite and flatulence;
- nausea and vomiting caused by liver and gall bladder problems;
- spotting from the vagina;
- yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes;
- shortness of breath and dizziness;
- diarrhea
- headache;
- increase or decrease libido.
Adverse reactions of the body can be minimized if you use medicines with natural estrogens that are of plant origin, as well as vaginal cream or ointment, as well as candles, gel and pills with a targeted effect. They normalize the hormonal background, and in no way affect the internal organs.
We reviewed estrogen-containing products for women.