Age-related changes in the body of a woman are characterized not only by external manifestations, but also by the gradual extinction of the function of the reproductive system. There comes a new stage in life - menopause. The restructuring of the body is not easy for everyone. Women may experience irritability, fatigue, hot flashes. To improve the quality of life during this period, there are drugs that normalize the condition. Medicine does not stand still. Consider the best hormonal drugs for menopause, and also determine what their feature is.
Signs of menopause
A few words about what a woman experiences in this difficult time.
Menopause in the fair sex is characterized by a decrease in the production of sex hormones. Reproductive function is dying out. This process takes several years. A woman begins to notice signs that were previously absent. They can begin to appear several years before the onset of menopause, in the period from 30 to 40. We list some of them:
- A woman cannot become pregnant or bear a fetus.
- Malfunctions of the menstrual cycle.
- Endometriosis
In the absence of menstrual bleeding, a woman may experience:
- Unexpected hot flashes.
- Increased sweating.
- Numbness or tingling of limbs.
- Tachycardia.
- Blood pressure jumps.
- Dizziness.
- Insomnia.
- Anxiety.
- Excitability.
- Sense of anxiety.
- Weakness.
- Change in the condition of the skin.
What hormones are lacking in a woman’s body, we will consider further.
What hormones are missing
With a decrease in hormone levels to a minimum value, the woman’s menstrual cycle stops. Ovarian function is dying out. Consider how the process of reducing hormone production occurs:
- Premenopausal period. Menstruation is disturbed. Estrogen production is reduced. In this case, the nature of the discharge may change.
- Menopause period. The level of progesterone falls. It is responsible for the thickness of the uterine endometrium. Menstruation may stop.
- Postmenopausal period. Hormones cease to be produced. Estrogen is reduced by 50%. In this case, the uterus and ovaries are reduced in size. There are changes in the mammary glands. There are no monthly periods.
With all these changes, a woman still wants to look attractive and feel full of strength. To do this, you need to see a doctor and choose a drug that will help the body adapt to new conditions. The doctor will take into account the period of restructuring of the body.
How can hormonal drugs help with menopause?
Positive aspects of hormone therapy
Hormonal drugs are selected by the doctor, taking into account the problems encountered. A properly prescribed drug will improve the condition, namely:
- It will help prevent leaching of calcium and thinning of bone tissue. This will not allow the development of osteoporosis.
- Will restore a dream.
- Saves from panic attacks.
- Improve the mood.
- Normalizes the mental state.
- Solves problems with the genitourinary system.
- Enhances female libido.
- Normalizes blood cholesterol.
- Due to hormones, it protects the vagina from dryness.
HRT (hormone replacement therapy) helps prevent the development of many diseases against the background of a decrease in hormones in the body.
Who is prescribed hormones?
Only after the woman has passed the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe hormones to her. This is possible in the following cases:
- Early menopause.
- A woman does not tolerate this period.
- There are diseases associated with a lack of hormones.
- Artificial menopause.
- The desire of a woman to improve life during menopause.
What hormonal drugs are prescribed for menopause and in what forms they are released, we will consider further.
Types of hormonal drugs
Hormonal drugs are:
- Synthetic, identical to natural.
- Synthetic.
- Phytohormones.
- Extracts extracted from animal glands.
A hormonal drug may be:
- Combined. As part of several hormones.
- Monotherapeutic. Contains one type of hormone.
It is also worth noting that hormonal drugs with menopause of a new generation are available in the following forms:
- Tablets.
- Gels.
- Drops.
- Patches.
- Candles
- Ointments.
All forms of drugs are successful in women. You need to make the right choice.
The best combined hormonal drugs
Combined drugs contain several hormones. They are:
- Single-phase estrogen-progestogen.
- Biphasic.
- Three phase.
We list the best hormonal drugs for menopause, the list may look like this:
- Klimonorm. Contains estradiol valerate and levonorgestrel. Prevents bone loss. Lowers cholesterol.
- Premella. The composition of estrogens conjugated and medroxyprogesterone. Replenishes the deficiency of endogenous hormones. Recommended for women with an intact uterus. It is not a contraceptive.
- "Angelique." Microdosage drug, which includes estradiol and drospirenone. Prevents the development of endometrial hyperplasia. It has antiandrogenic properties. Not used as a contraceptive.
- "Klimen." As part of cyproterone and estradiol. It has antiandrogenic gestagenic and antigonadotropic properties.
- "Divina." Normalizes the monthly cycle. Reduces the manifestation of hot flashes and increased sweating. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is reduced.
- Ovidon. As part of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. It is a contraceptive. Normalizes the menstrual cycle.
- The Tricequence. Menopause symptoms worsen in the first week of taking the drug. Prevention of bone destruction.
- "Cycle-Proginova." Replenishes estrogen deficiency. Helps treat psychoemotional and autonomic symptoms of menopause. Stops bone loss.
They are prescribed to eliminate the following manifestations of menopause:
- Hyperactivity.
- Excessive sweating.
- Hot flashes.
- Tachycardia.
They are also good preventative measures for:
- atherosclerosis;
- osteoporosis;
- diseases of the uterus;
- cardiovascular disease.
Such drugs should be taken for three weeks at a specific time. After a break of 7 days, the drug is resumed. If there are placebo tablets in the package, there is no need to take a break in admission.
Note that hormonal drugs with menopause of a new generation - two-phase and three-phase - are as close as possible to the natural level of hormones in a woman’s blood and are developed taking into account all the details of the menstrual cycle. This increases the prophylactic effect against endometrial cancer.
The best monotherapeutic drugs
If the uterus is removed, hormonal drugs are prescribed for menopause in women, containing exclusively estrogen. We list some of them:
- Esterlan.
- Estrimax.
- Premarin.
Preparations of this group stimulate the development of the fallopian tubes, vagina, and contribute to the formation of secondary sexual characteristics of the female type. Against the background of their intake, regular bleeding occurs. They are not contraceptives.
The positive preventive effect is as follows:
- Promotes the preservation of bone tissue.
- It has a procoagulant effect.
- Lowers blood cholesterol.
- Has anti-atherosclerotic effect.
The duration of admission is determined by the doctor. As a rule, they are prescribed together with progestogens.
It is worth noting that the doctor prescribes treatment after a full gynecological examination.
Hormonal preparations for the epidermis
As mentioned earlier, there is a type of hormonal drugs with menopause in the form of a skin patch. On clean, dry skin, it is glued for 7 days.
Preparations of a new generation in this form are used very widely, as they have some advantages:
- Do not affect the gastrointestinal tract.
- The liver also does not respond to the drug.
- When using the patch, hormones enter the body gradually, while there is no danger of missing the pill.
- The patch does not increase the risk of thrombosis, in contrast to the tablet form.
- There is no interaction with other drugs.
- If you wish, you can stop taking hormones, just peel off the patch.
- You can take a shower.
We list some drugs in the form of a patch for menopause:
- Klimara. Eliminates estrogen deficiency. Prevention of osteoporosis during menopause.
- Menostar. Contains estrogen. Prevents bone destruction. Helps protect the endometrium from cancer.
- "Octodiol". In the form of a patch contains estrogen. It should not be attached to the mammary glands or twice to the same place. Promotes timely rejection of the endometrium.
- "Dermestril."
Gels, creams, suppositories containing the hormone estrogen include hormonal therapy for menopause. Drugs can alleviate the manifestations of menopause.
- "Estrogel." Does not affect the liver. Entering the bloodstream is able to stay in the subcutaneous fat, while estradiol is absorbed into the blood. Eliminates the manifestations of menopause, serves as a prophylactic for osteoporosis. Do not apply to mucous membranes and mammary glands.
- "Octodiol". In the form of a gel, it is prescribed in cycles or continuously. The dosage is determined by the doctor in each case individually.
Vaginal hormonal drugs for menopause
How to improve a woman’s intimate life and increase libido? For this, hormone replacement therapy with menopause is used. Preparations in the form of candles are a good therapeutic and prophylactic agent:
- Ovestin.
- "Estriol."
- Estronorm.
- "Estrokad."
Suppositories contain estrogen. Used in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system associated with estrogen deficiency. They contribute to:
- Restore the natural microflora of the vagina.
- Make up for the lack of estrogen.
- Increase the body's resistance to genitourinary infections.
- Allow to reduce the number of daily urination.
Contraindications for hormone therapy
What hormonal drugs to take with menopause, the doctor determines, taking into account your existing diseases. To take such medications, there are a number of contraindications that should be considered:
- Increased risk of thrombosis.
- Oncological diseases of the reproductive system and mammary glands.
- Violations of the liver and kidneys.
- Phlebeurysm.
- Uterine bleeding.
- Autoimmune pathologies.
- Intolerance to hormones.
Hormone dosage
Depending on the period during which menopause a woman takes hormones, the doctor offers a different dosage of the drug.
The following types of hormones are available depending on the dose:
- Microdosed. Up to 30 mcg.
- Low dosage. Up to 35 mcg.
- High dosage. The dose of hormones exceeds the specified norm.
Microdosed hormonal drugs with menopause do not affect the metabolism. They correct the hormonal background. Used in the initial stages.
Low-dose drugs are also used at the menopause stage and can help relieve menopause symptoms. As a rule, several types of hormones are used.
High dosage hormones can cause unwanted side effects. But, as a rule, treatment begins with low-dose drugs.
Female hormonal drugs for menopause can be made from plants. About it further.
New Phytoestrogens
As mentioned earlier, there are not only synthetic hormones, but also phytohormones. The use of drugs of this group is widely used in the initial stages. They significantly alleviate the symptoms of menopause, but also require longer use. In this case, hormonal balance is not disturbed. We list some of them:
- Remens. Helps strengthen the body. Contains lahezis, tsififugi extract, sepia.
- Femicaps. As a part of primrose, passionflower, a complex of vitamins.
- Klimadinon. Contains tsimifugi-racimose extract.
- The Feminal.
Preparations of this group contain plant components, vitamins, help strengthen the body and help withstand the manifestations of menopause. Natural plant compounds possess the properties of female sex hormones.
It is worth noting that the appointment of phytohormones with pronounced symptoms of menopause is not advisable. The effectiveness of such drugs in advanced cases is low.
The use of phytohormones without the supervision of a doctor or an excessively long period can also provoke the manifestation of adverse reactions:
- Allergic reactions.
- Exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Changes in the mammary glands.
- Liver disease.
- Mucous bloody vaginal discharge.
- Weight gain.
What hormonal drugs for menopause are necessary for you, it is better to discuss with your doctor. Self-medication can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Pros of a new generation of hormones
Advantages of hormonal drugs with menopause of a new generation:
- Synthetic hormones of a new generation are almost identical to those produced in the human body.
- Not addictive. At any time, you can refuse them, after consulting with your doctor.
- Large dosages of hormones are not required.
- The drugs do not contain male hormones.
- Do not contribute to weight gain.
- May be a prophylactic against cancer.
- Modern forms of drugs in the form of gels, plasters sparingly affect the gastrointestinal tract.
All these positive aspects of HRT are confirmed by numerous reviews of women.
Women's reviews
Currently, a lot of women use hormonal drugs for menopause.
Reviews when taking funds such as Angelique, Divina, Premella, Klimonorm, Trisekvens are mostly positive. Women note a decrease in the manifestations of menopause:
- Hot flashes decrease and pass completely over time.
- The mood improves.
- Sleep is normalized.
- Passes nervousness.
- No feeling of anxiety.
- The menstrual cycle is getting better.
- Sweating decreases.
When taking certain drugs, women noted nausea in the first days of administration.
Reception of phytoestrogens also has many positive reviews.
Women noted a lack of addiction to new generation drugs. Weight remained the same.
A lot of positive reviews about taking hormonal drugs in the form of plasters and gels. They do not affect the gastrointestinal tract and also contain a small amount of hormones. Preparations in the form of gels help women to resume sexual life, normalize the microflora of the vagina, solve the problem of frequent urination and facilitate the manifestation of menopause. Most women feel the prophylactic properties of hormonal drugs, preservation of bone tissue, as well as the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
The hormonal drug must be selected together with the doctor. The intake schedule and duration is determined individually in each individual case.