The problem of female infertility in our time is quite acute. The reasons can be different - from various inflammatory diseases of the genital organs to problems in the endocrine system. One of the common causes is the lack of female estrogens. Their main task is to prepare the inner layer of the uterus for the adoption of an egg.
To eliminate this shortcoming, doctors prescribe to women medications containing this hormone. One of these drugs is Divigel for the growth of the endometrium, the patient reviews about it are positive, and many women manage to get pregnant safely.
The composition of the drug
"Divigel" is produced by manufacturers in the form of a transdermal gel, which serves to eliminate signs of a lack of estrogen. It is a uniform composition and is packed in aluminum bags.
In its composition, the gel has:
- Estradiol in an amount of 500 mg or 1 g.
- Carbomer 974.
- Triethanolamine.
- Propylene glycol.
- 96% ethyl alcohol.
- Purified water.
Pharmacological action of the drug
"Divigel" refers to a group of drugs that are used to correct disorders caused by menopause in a woman's life. It has an estrogenic effect.
The therapeutic effect after use is achieved as a result of the activity of estradiol. This estrogenic product that contains Divigel for endometrial growth is identical in biological, chemical and pharmacological properties to endogenous estradiol synthesized by the ovaries in the female body.
If you look at the classification of drugs, then estradiol belongs to several pharmacological groups:
- Estrogens, progestogens, their antagonists and homologs.
- Antitumor hormones and hormone antagonists.
The active substance of the drug makes up for the lack of female hormones and stimulates the activity of estrogen receptors located in target cells.
Pharmacokinetics
The estradiol contained in the gel freely diffuses through the diffusion into target cells, where it is transported to the nucleus and forms a bond with estrogen receptors. Such receptors are found in different tissues. But most of them are found in the uterus, liver, ovaries, bones and mammary glands.
The active component of the gel - 17-beta-estradiol - has the following effects:
- Stimulates the development of the female reproductive system.
- Causes pigmentation in the nipple.
- Provides rejection of the endometrium, which lines the uterus.
- Provides a regular menstrual cycle.
- Stops the production of breast milk.
- It has a procoagulant effect.
- It has a positive effect on the recovery of white blood cell count after radiation damage.
Estradiol still has many important qualities, which include:
- Prevention of the development of atherosclerosis.
- An increase in blood levels of HDL.
- Decreased LDL.
- Lower cholesterol.
After menopause in the woman’s body, the ovaries stop producing estradiol, this function remains in the liver and adipose tissue. A decrease in estrogen levels leads to vasomotor instability, which is manifested in flushing of the face, and problems with sleep.
Another negative consequence of estrogen deficiency is the development of osteoporosis. This metabolic disease primarily affects the spine.
When taking estradiol orally in the form of tablets or injections, this substance gradually accumulates in the body, which leads to a significant jump in blood pressure. “Divigel” for endometrial growth has positive reviews in this regard, patients do not note hypertension during administration.
The gel is made on an alcohol basis, but after contact with the skin ethanol quickly disappears, and the active substance penetrates through the integument and is absorbed into the blood. A small amount of estradiol is retained in the skin, and then gradually released into the bloodstream.
During the course of treatment with Divigel, the ratio between estradiol and estrone is from 0.4 to 0.7. The bioavailability of the drug is 82%. The effectiveness of therapy will directly depend on how to use "Divigel" for the growth of the endometrium.
Indications
Doctors recommend this gel as a hormone replacement therapy for women who have a lack of estrogen for various reasons. The drug is often prescribed to eliminate menopause.
The gel has proven itself as a prophylactic that prevents the development of osteoporosis. “Divigel” has positive reviews for endometrial growth in IVF as a drug that supports the normal course of pregnancy.
The drug is prescribed in an individual dosage, which is selected by the attending physician in the clinic where the fertilization procedure was carried out. It is better to start using it a couple of weeks before fertilization and continue after it for about a month.
After pregnancy, the termination of the application can not be made abruptly, since in this case there is a risk of spontaneous miscarriage.
If "Divigel" is prescribed for endometrial growth, the dosage is selected in each case separately. During pregnancy planning, the doctor must make sure that there is endometrial hypoplasia, to stimulate ovulation, it is advisable to use the gel with other hormonal drugs. In each of these cases, the treatment regimen will be different.
Contraindications
Before figuring out how to take Divigel for endometrial growth, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications to this, and the drug has a sufficient amount. Among them, the following are most often distinguished:
- Hypersensitivity to the components.
- The presence of breast cancer or if it had a history.
- Malignant tumors in the ovaries, uterus.
- The presence of benign tumors in the genitals, in the chest.
- Predisposition to uterine bleeding.
- Hyperplastic processes of the endometrium.
- Pituitary tumors.
- Inflammatory diseases of the genitals.
- Increased estrogen content.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- The presence of tumors in the liver.
- Signs of cerebrovascular accident.
- Sickle cell anemia.
- Violation of fat metabolism.
- Diabetes.
- Middle ear disease.
Particular caution during the use of the gel should be observed for women who have:
- Bronchial asthma.
- Migraine attacks.
- High blood pressure.
- Heart, kidney, or liver failure.
- Heart disease.
- Tendency to edema.
- Fibrocystic mastopathy.
The presence of all these contraindications and warnings indicates that before clarifying the question of how to smear Divigel for endometrial growth, it is necessary to visit a specialist and discuss this issue with him.
Undesirable consequences
Each organism is individual, in its own way perceives the effect of drugs, so even the absence of contraindications for use does not mean that there will be no side effects. During gel treatment, they can be as follows:
- From the nervous system: headache, dizziness, migraine attacks, depression.
- On the part of the work of the heart and blood vessels: thrombophlebitis and a persistent increase in blood pressure.
- The digestive system can respond to nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flatulence.
- From the reproductive system can be observed: vaginal bleeding, constant discharge, proliferation of the endometrium, a change in libido, cancer of the uterus.
- The endocrine system may exhibit the following symptoms: the appearance of excess weight, engorgement of the mammary glands.
With prolonged use of the gel, fluid accumulation in the body can occur, which leads to edema. Given that the drug is used externally, allergic rashes and itching may appear on the skin.
Some patients who use Divigel for endometrial growth leave negative reviews due to the frequent manifestation of side effects such as visual impairment and severe vaginal candidiasis.
To avoid all undesirable consequences, it is necessary to use the drug strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
How to take "Divigel" for endometrial growth
The drug with good tolerance and the absence of contraindications can be used for long-term therapy. At the initial stage of treatment, the dosage is 1 g of gel. After several courses, taking into account the change in the patient’s picture, the dosage can be increased or decreased.
It is very important to find out from the doctor not only where to smear "Divigel" for endometrial growth, but also on what day of the monthly cycle it should be started.
According to the instructions, the gel must be applied to clean skin in the lower abdomen, lower back, shoulders, forearms or buttocks. It is advisable to do this at the same time every day, the application area must be alternated.
The most optimal area for application is considered the size of 1-2 palms. The treatment site should not be washed within an hour after using the gel.
If a woman forgets to apply the gel, then this must be done no later than 12 hours from the time of the use of the drug on schedule. If more time has passed, then you should postpone it until the next time.
If the dose is exceeded
Many believe that if you take the drug in a larger dosage, then the onset of a positive effect will happen faster, but this is not at all. If the doctor’s recommendations for using Divigel are violated and the dosage is exceeded, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Soreness in the chest.
- Bloating.
- The appearance of anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Bouts of nausea.
- Vomiting
If these symptoms appear, it is necessary to discuss with your doctor and change the dosage or stop using the drug.
Divigel in combination with other means
If the doctor prescribes "Divigel", then he must first figure out which drugs the patient is taking. Estradiol may have the following effects:
- Increase the effectiveness of lipid-lowering drugs.
- To weaken the effects of drugs that include male sex hormones.
- To weaken the effect of drugs used for diabetes.
- Reduce the effectiveness of drugs against hypertension.
- To weaken the therapeutic effect of anticoagulants.
Joint intake accelerates estradiol metabolism:
- Barbiturates.
- Narcotic analgesics.
- Means used for anesthesia.
- Some antiepileptic drugs.
The effectiveness of Divigel will decrease significantly if it is used in conjunction with certain antibiotics, as well as with Phenylbutazone. To enhance the effect, you can take folic acid preparations for the thyroid gland together with it.
Special recommendations
“Divigel” for endometrial growth receives more positive feedback from doctors, only experts recommend prescribing it after a thorough examination of the patient and a detailed conversation with her.
To avoid undesirable consequences, a woman should undergo a complete examination of the pelvic organs and mammary glands. It must be regularly taken throughout the treatment.
We examined "Divigel" for endometrial growth, where to smear, in which area. It is important to wash your hands with soap and do not touch your eyes.
Do not apply the gel to the area of the mammary and genital glands, as well as to places where there is irritation. Using Divigel may interfere with the ovulation process. The synthesis of hormones directly depends on the concentration of estrogens in the blood, and when they are received from the outside, it may be disturbed, so taking the drug when planning the conception should be done with extreme caution.
The use of the drug during pregnancy and lactation
Despite the fact that Divigel receives good reviews for endometrial growth during IVF, it is worth discussing the tactics of its further use with a doctor when pregnancy occurs. If the diagnosis of an interesting situation in a woman is not in doubt, then most likely the doctor will decide to stop using the drug.
Various studies show that single and occasional use of the gel during pregnancy does not cause a teratogenic effect, but you should not risk the health of the future baby.
During the period of breastfeeding, it is forbidden to use the gel.
A woman’s health is a fragile thing, it can malfunction at the most inopportune moments of life. Nobody wants to stuff their body with chemicals, but there are situations when “Divigel” is simply necessary for the growth of the endometrium, reviews, especially since it gets excellent. This drug is positively characterized not only by doctors, but also by patients, especially in the menopause.
It will not be superfluous to remind once again that only a competent specialist should prescribe any treatment, you should not take such serious drugs on the advice of a friend or after seeing an advertisement on television. Take care of your health!