Hormonal preparations contain both female sex hormones and their synthetic analogues, they are used both for contraception, and for hormone replacement therapy or correction of hormonal disorders.
Female hormones in drugs
Female hormonal drugs may contain only estrogens or progesterone and its analogs, as well as a combination of both hormones. Most often, drugs containing female hormones are used for oral contraception.
Drugs with female hormones for contraception
Preparations containing female sex hormones that are used for contraception, inhibit the onset of ovulation and change the structure of the cervical mucus, making it impenetrable for spermatozoa. For contraception, drugs containing one sex hormone, usually progesterone or its analogs, are used in women over 35 years of age (mini-pili).
At a young age, combined hormonal drugs that contain estrogens and gestagens are more often used. Combined hormonal drugs are divided into monophasic (contain the same amount of estrogens and gestagens in all phases of the cycle), biphasic (two sets of combinations of doses of hormones for different phases of the cycle) and three-phase (three sets of doses of hormones for different phases of the cycle).
By dosage, they are divided into high-dose, low-dose and micro-dosed. The list of names of oral contraceptives is large, but hormone preparations for women are prescribed only by a doctor, something that a girlfriend recommended or accepts can not be taken alone. For emergency prevention, too, drugs containing sex hormones can be used. The names of hormonal drugs for women, which are most often used for emergency prevention - Postinor, Escapel, for routine - Rigevidone, Marvelon, Logest, Regulon, Tri-regol, Trikvilar.
Preparations of female hormones with menopause
For hormone replacement therapy for severe menopause, progesterone or synthetic gestagens are most often used. Female hormonal drugs containing estrogen are rarely used in menopause and usually in the form of pharmaceutical forms for topical use. The gestagenic drugs are used continuously without interruption to menstruation. Rarely according to the indications, microdosed combination hormonal preparations containing both estrogens and progesterone are used.
Drugs replacing women's hormones
If hormonal drugs are contraindicated, phytopreparations similar to those with sex hormones are used to increase the level of female hormones. If diets rich in vitamins are used to increase the level of progesterone in the blood, but the progesterone itself will not be replaced, phytoestrogens (plant hormones that are similar to women's estrogens but weaker in action) are found in many herbs and food. These include soybeans, beans, peas, beans, nuts, red grapes, hops, red clover and alfalfa.
Contraindications to the appointment of female sex hormones
Hormonal drugs are not prescribed for women with severe cardiovascular diseases, blood clotting disorder (with a tendency to thrombosis), severe liver and gall bladder diseases, migraines, varicose veins, obesity and diabetes, breast and malignant tumors of the mammary glands and female genital organs, pregnancy and breast-feeding, increased cholesterol level in the blood. It is not recommended to use female sex hormones in women older than 35-40 years, in women who smoke.