Many processes in the body of a woman are regulated by hormones. And when their amount in the blood changes, various diseases develop. Throughout life, the hormonal background in a woman often changes. Its biggest violation occurs with menopause. This is the period in a woman’s life when female hormones are produced less and reproductive function attenuation occurs. At this time, which is also called menopause, various diseases develop, the working capacity decreases and the woman's well-being worsens. To normalize her condition, doctors often prescribe various drugs, for example, Duphaston. With menopause, it is taken in order to prevent the development of ovarian diseases and the growth of the endometrium of the uterus, as well as to normalize menstruation. This drug is usually well tolerated, but you should still take it only as directed by your doctor.
General characteristics of menopause
After 40 years, many women begin to feel causeless irritability, they have mood swings, blood pressure begins to rise. In addition to these unpleasant symptoms with menopause, various gynecological diseases can aggravate or occur. This is caused by changes in the hormonal background of a woman.
Usually, the first manifestations of menopause are noticeable in 45-50 years, but it can begin earlier. If many do not pay attention to mood swings, then excessive sweating and hot flashes cause serious discomfort. Not all women experience these symptoms, although most note that their thermoregulation is impaired.
And the most characteristic signs of menopause is the extinction of reproductive function, which is expressed in a change in the duration and intensity of menstruation. They can become irregular, sometimes meager, sometimes too long, then go 2 times a month, and then they are gone for several months. Therefore, when choosing medications to relieve symptoms of menopause, they most often stop at hormones that regulate the monthly cycle.
General characteristics of the drug
The drug "Dufaston" is a synthetic analogue of the hormone progesterone. Its main active ingredient is dydrogesterone. This substance affects the second half of the menstrual cycle, normalizing its course and preventing the growth of the endometrium. The drug "Dufaston" is available in white round tablets containing 10 mg of didrogesterone. In addition to the active substance, their composition includes auxiliary components: starch, magnesium stearate, lactose, silicon dioxide.
Duphaston is produced by several pharmaceutical companies in Western Europe. Each package contains 20 tablets, which are enough for one month's cycle. Usually, with menopause, the drug is used for several months, so several packages are needed. And it costs 500-600 rubles, so some women find such treatment expensive.
What effect does he have
Sometimes women are interested in whether it is possible to drink "Dufaston" with menopause. After all, the testimony does not indicate that it is necessary precisely for menopause, it is used mainly to normalize the cycle. Although doctors often prescribe it at this time. Especially effective is "Dufaston" with early menopause. It has the following effect on a woman’s body:
- normalizes sleep;
- prevents excessive sweating;
- eliminates irritability and anxiety;
- reduces the frequency of tides;
- prevents jumps in blood pressure;
- normalizes mood;
- reduces abdominal pain;
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- slows down aging.
But the main effect of the drug is that it normalizes the hormonal background of a woman. Thus, it prevents the development of hormone-dependent diseases. Duphaston is especially effective for bleeding with menopause, since progesterone reduces the intensity of menstruation, and in the late period of menopause eliminates intermenstrual bleeding.
Why is Duphaston prescribed?
This drug is used to treat women of any age who have gynecological problems. Most often it is prescribed precisely during menopause. Features of the drug and good tolerance allows it to be used even for young women. But at different ages and with various diseases, the treatment regimen may change. Therefore, only a doctor can decide whether to take the drug or not, and at what dosage. Why is Duphaston prescribed:
- to prevent abdominal pain during menstruation;
- with endometriosis, it helps to stop the growth of the endometrium;
- while taking estrogen, this drug is needed to prevent complications;
- to normalize the menstrual cycle;
- in the absence of menstruation;
- with adenomyosis;
- to relieve premenstrual syndrome.
Advantage of using it
"Duphaston" with menopause is often used. It is used as part of complex therapy or independently. This drug regulates hormone levels and prevents the occurrence of hormone-dependent diseases.
Its advantage is that it raises progesterone levels without affecting estrogens. But it is precisely because of the large number of estrogens that a woman may develop tumors and some gynecological diseases during menopause.
And Duphaston with menopause has a minimal effect on the body. Unlike most hormonal drugs, it does not have a corticoid, androgenic or anabolic effect. Therefore, this drug has few contraindications, is not addictive and rarely leads to side effects.
When you can not take the drug
Like all hormonal drugs, Duphaston can be taken only as directed by a doctor. Many factors must be considered before deciding on the need for such treatment. The doctor conducts a comprehensive examination, tests for the presence of hormones are always taken. It also takes into account how many years menopause lasts and what symptoms are accompanied, whether the woman has any diseases of the genital area, whether her periods are preserved, how they proceed.
After examination, taking into account these factors and contraindications, the doctor may prescribe a woman with menopause "Duphaston." Instructions for use note that with individual intolerance it can not be used. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in the following cases:
- with hepatitis and other liver diseases;
- with pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- decreased blood coagulability;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- cancer diseases.
Feasible side effects
Usually, Duphaston is well tolerated by women. Side effects are rare, but still possible. Usually negative reactions appear with individual intolerance, as well as with the wrong dosage of the drug. Most often, "Duphaston" causes such side effects:
- headaches;
- nausea
- bloating;
- skin itch, rash;
- weakness, decreased performance;
- bleeding
- violation of the liver;
- the appearance of edema.
Instructions for use
Only a doctor can determine how to take Duphaston with menopause. It necessarily takes into account the individual characteristics of a woman, her age and severity of condition. The dosage of the drug may be different depending on the symptoms of menopause. Usually take 2 tablets of "Duphaston" per day, but in some cases one is enough. But various treatment regimens are used. For example, with uterine bleeding, the drug is prescribed only for a week. In all other cases, its administration depends on the monthly cycle.
At the initial stage of menopause, take 2 tablets from 5 to 25 days of the cycle. The duration of treatment is usually six months. In postmenopausal women, hormone therapy often lasts almost continuously for several years. How long can I take "Duphaston" with menopause in this case? It depends on the individual characteristics and hormonal background of the woman. Usually, 2 tablets are prescribed during the first two weeks of the cycle. Then a 2 week break. Blood tests are performed periodically to determine the need for such hormone-dependent therapy.
Application features
Often, with menopause, an excess of estrogen is observed, which causes hyperplasia, that is, proliferation of cells. Such a process can lead to their transformation into malignant ones with the formation of a tumor. Against the background of taking "Duphaston," the atypical tissue growth stops and the risk of oncology is reduced. In addition, the drug reduces the intensity of bleeding during menstruation.
During menopause, an exacerbation of endometriosis often also occurs. Moreover, this pathology develops almost asymptomatically due to a change in the hormonal background of the woman. And in this case, with menopause, “Dufaston” is effective. It prevents an abnormal increase in estrogen levels, which deprives endometrial cells of the need to divide. In addition, the drug eliminates pain in the lower abdomen and normalizes the flow of menstruation.
Assign "Duphaston" with menopause often in order to adjust the balance between estrogen and progesterone. An excessive increase in estrogen levels increases the risk of uterine or ovarian tumors. In this case, Duphaston is used as part of complex hormonal therapy. Therefore, it is better to use it only after blood tests for hormone levels.
How can I replace the drug
According to the active substance, there are several analogues of Dufaston. Completely similar drugs are Duphaston and Dydrogesterone. In addition, there are funds based on natural progesterone: Progesterone, Iprozhin, Kraynon, Utrozhestan and others. But they may contain different amounts of progesterone, as well as other components. Therefore, you can not choose a drug yourself without a doctor’s prescription.
"Duphaston" with menopause: reviews
There is no doubt whether it is worth taking this drug, especially if it was prescribed by a doctor. "Duphaston" is used from the initial stages of menopause, it helps to improve the condition of a woman in any of its manifestations and prevents complications. This is confirmed by numerous reviews. Women note that the drug is well tolerated and very rarely causes side effects. But then the state of health is improving, and the functioning of the genitals is normalizing. Rare negative reviews about the drug indicate the presence of side effects. Usually this happens if the doctor's recommendations are not followed or if you are self-medicating.