The role of hormones in the body. Hormonal background: how hormones affect a woman's mood and well-being How hormones affect the female body

The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. A specialist consultation is required!

Hormonal contraceptives all over the world are considered the most reliable in terms of preventing unwanted pregnancy. They are trusted by millions of women in civilized countries. They give the freedom to choose the time of birth of the desired child, liberation in sexual relations, deliverance from some diseases and suffering. Subject to the rules of application hormonal contraceptives provide, without a doubt, a high level of reliability. In the last decade, interest in this method of protection has also increased in our country, but passions about the benefits and harms, the advantages and disadvantages of their use do not subside.

How contraceptive pills work

Modern oral contraceptives may contain one or two hormones: progesterone and estrogen - then they are called combined, or only progesterone - the so-called mini-pills.

Combined contraceptives are divided into drugs:

• with microdoses of hormones;
• with low doses;
• average dosage;
• with high doses of hormones.

"Mini-pili" preparations are considered the most gentle of all birth control pills.

How do birth control pills work?

Birth control pills are made up of synthetic hormones, which are analogs of female sex hormones, which are constantly produced in a woman's body during pregnancy. It is estrogen and progesterone that inhibit the production of other hormones that stimulate the maturation of follicles, due to which ovulation occurs. Therefore, by introducing small doses of estrogen and progesterone with the pill, it becomes possible to suppress or slow down ovulation (egg maturation). The mechanism of action of all combined hormonal agents is based on this principle.

The action of "mini-pili" is based on the same principles, but the effective point here is the effect of tablets on the structure of the uterine mucosa, and on changing the viscosity of the secretion of the cervical canal. The thickening of the secretion and the looseness of the endometrium does not allow the sperm to fertilize the egg, and the egg itself is fixed in the uterus.

All these phenomena disappear along with the termination of the use of contraceptives. Reproductive function is restored within two to three months, and the woman can have the desired pregnancy.

The contraceptive pill can prevent pregnancy by up to 100% when used correctly. At the same time, the use of these funds regulates the menstrual cycle, relieves a woman from pain during menstruation, from menstrual bleeding. Modern contraceptives eliminate the symptoms of premenstrual and climacteric periods, reduce the risk of cancer, stop unwanted facial hair growth, and the appearance of acne.

Does alcohol use reduce the effect of birth control pills?

Women, especially at a young age, often wonder how alcohol affects the reliability of birth control pills. Is it possible to receive them together? Of course, this question is legitimate, because taking contraceptives can be long-term, and life is life, and no one is immune from the circumstances when alcohol intake can take place.

I would like to be always confident in the effectiveness of contraceptives, and to know what factors can reduce it. It is unlikely that anyone will succeed in completely eliminating alcohol. And the instructions for contraceptive drugs often do not indicate that they cannot be combined with alcohol intake.

What to do if a festive feast is planned? If the celebration is scheduled for the evening, then the pill intake should be shifted three hours earlier or later. As a last resort, you can postpone taking the pill in the morning, as if you forgot to take it, but then you need to follow the instructions for the drug and do exactly according to it. You also need to see a gynecologist to exclude pregnancy.

According to the WHO, the dose of alcohol should not exceed 20 mg of ethanol per day, if, nevertheless, the need arises in combination with contraceptive pills. Moderation in alcohol consumption plays a large role in maintaining the effectiveness of contraceptives.

Side effects

The main disadvantages of birth control pills are considered to be their side effects on the body, which include:

• Bloody spotting, especially often occurring at the beginning of taking the pills. After adaptation to the drug, they usually disappear.
• The estrogens in contraceptives can cause bloating, swelling of the lower extremities, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and migraine-like headaches.
• Progestins, on the other hand, cause irritability, nervousness, acne, and some weight gain.
• Weight gain may be associated with increased appetite for contraceptive use. In some cases, this is due to fluid retention in the body.
• Sometimes birth control pills can cause dark spots on your face that look like pregnancy spots. In this case, it is better to switch to another type of pill.
• Formidable vascular diseases such as thrombosis can be caused. Their occurrence depends entirely on the dose of hormones in the product. The higher the dose of estrogen, the greater the risk of developing vascular thrombosis.
• Smoking is not allowed while taking some contraceptives. Women who smoke are at risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.
• Taking combined oral contraceptives can cause attacks of gallstone disease, and cause the formation of new stones in the biliary tract.
• Side effects can occur when oral contraceptives are combined with other medications: antibiotics, antifungal agents, etc.

What birth control pills do you get better from?

Modern contraceptives, which contain micro-doses of hormonal components, do not cause weight gain.

But, in the case of the wrong choice of the drug for a particular woman or girl, some weight gain is quite possible. Many women gain weight in the first two months of taking contraceptives, which is easily explained by the adaptation of the body. If in the future the weight increases, then it is necessary to decide on the transition to another type of pills.

The effect of contraceptives on fat metabolism has been well studied. Therefore, it is possible for every woman to choose a remedy that would not cause the above side effects.

Bleeding while taking birth control pills

Bleeding while using birth control pills is a possible side effect. Bleeding can be both smearing and breakthrough.

Spotting bleeding occurs in the first months of taking contraceptives. They are more often observed when using drugs with a low content of hormones than when combined. The reason is this: microdoses of hormones in a pill do not have time to accumulate in the body, and they are not enough to delay menstruation. This is a normal phenomenon, and it is inappropriate to stop taking pills due to the appearance of spotting. The body will adapt and all functions will be restored.

In the event of breakthrough bleeding, the alarm should be sounded. It is better to immediately seek the advice of a doctor who will conduct an examination in order to exclude an ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory diseases, uterine fibroids, endometriosis.

What to do if bleeding occurs:

• Continue to take birth control as usual, or stop taking it within seven days.
• Seeing a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe additional high-progestin pills.
• If bleeding continues, then a blood test should be taken to rule out anemia. For anemia, iron supplements are prescribed.

Vaginal discharge

Are women often worried about an increase in vaginal discharge? and associate them with the use of birth control pills.

By the way, vaginal discharge is found in every woman, but normally they are odorless, transparent in appearance and insignificant.

If the menstrual cycle is irregular, you need to see a doctor who will tell you what to do. Establishing a cycle duration of 21-36 days is considered the norm.

With changes in mood, a herbal collection with a common twig helps well, which affects the level of testosterone in the body.

Skin problems such as acne, oily hair, greasy hair? talk about an imbalance of hormones in the female body. In this case, combined oral contraceptives with antiandrogenic action are selected.

Doctors believe that it is better to cancel the pills two to three months before the planned conception. However, it should be borne in mind that the likelihood of conception increases already in the first month after the abolition of the contraceptive.

How to take birth control pills correctly?

It is better to start taking contraceptives on the first day of your period - only then the pills act immediately. If taken on the fifth day of menstruation, additional precautions should be taken. Women with irregular periods can start taking contraceptives on the first day of the cycle, confident that they are not pregnant.

In the absence of lactation, it is better to start taking it 21 days after childbirth. When breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use should be postponed for six months.

After an abortion, it is necessary to start using the contraceptive pill on the day of its implementation.

Standard Hormonal Contraceptive Regimen
The drug is taken daily for 21 days, followed by a seven-day break, then continues with a new package. Menstrual bleeding will go away while you rest from taking the pills.

Special modes
The 24 + 4 mode is typical for the contraceptive Jess, which contains 24 hormonal and 4 inactive pills in a package. The tablets are used daily, without interruption.

Extended mode
It consists in taking a product containing only "active" tablets (continuously, more than one package). A three-cycle regimen is common - taking 63 tablets of monophasic drugs, followed by a 7-day break.

Thus, the number of menstrual bleeding per year is reduced to four.

What if I forgot to take a pill?

The basic rule in case of missing a pill:
1. Take the missed pill as soon as possible!
2. Take the remaining tablets at the usual time.

If one or two tablets are missed, or a new pack has not been started within one to two days
Take a pill. There is a risk of pregnancy.

Skipping three or more tablets in the first 2 weeks of taking, or not starting a new package within three days
Take a pill. Use barrier methods of contraception for 7 days. If intercourse has taken place within 5 days, use emergency contraception.

Skipping 3 or more tablets during the third week of taking
Take the pill as soon as possible. If the pack contains 28 tablets, skip the last seven tablets. Do not take a break. Use barrier methods of contraception for 7 days. If intercourse has taken place within 5 days, use emergency contraception.

When do birth control pills start working?

If taken correctly, the pills begin to act immediately after the start of the course.

How to choose the right drug for women who have not given birth and have given birth?

Young, nulliparous women are more likely to be prescribed micro-dose birth control pills. Such drugs as Lindinet -20, Jess, Logest, Mersilon, Klayra, Novinet are ideal for them.

Low-dose and medium-dose hormonal preparations are suitable for women who have given birth. These include: Yarina, Marvelon, Lindinet-30, Regulon, Silest, Janine, Minisiston, Diane-35 and Chloe.

Features of contraception depending on the age of the woman

The selection of contraceptive pills is a difficult task that can be solved in conjunction with the attending physician. The aim of the task is to provide reliable protection against unwanted pregnancy. The criteria can be efficiency, absence of side effects, ease of use of pills and speed of restoration of fertility after the abolition of the contraceptive.

Undoubtedly, the choice of contraceptive drug depends on the age.

At what age can you take birth control pills?

The periods of a woman's life are divided into adolescent - from 10 to 18 years old, early reproductive - up to 35 years, late reproductive - up to 45 years, and perimenopausal - lasting 1-2 years from the last menstruation.

It is advisable to start contraception in adolescence, if, of course, there is a need for it. In recent years, there has been a decrease in the age of first pregnancy and childbirth, and the frequency of abortions at a young age is increasing.

The most effective for adolescents, according to WHO, are combined oral contraceptives containing small doses of steroids, and third-generation drugs containing progestogens. Three-phase drugs are best suited for adolescents: Triziston, Trikvilar, Tri-regol, as well as single-phase drugs: Femoden, Mersilon, Silest, Marvelon, which regulate the course of the menstrual cycle.

Birth control pills for young girls

Between the ages of 19 and 35, women can use all known methods of contraception. However, it should be borne in mind that the use of combined oral contraceptives is more reliable and effective.

In addition to oral contraceptives, other methods are popular in our country: the introduction of an intrauterine device, the use of a condom, the use of injectable methods of contraception.

It has been proven that contraceptive pills are used not only for contraception, but also for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for diseases such as infertility, inflammatory and oncological diseases, and menstrual irregularities. The only drawback to be aware of is that hormonal contraceptives do not protect a woman from sexually transmitted infections.

The most common remedies at this age are Janine, Yarina, Regulon.

What birth control pills are best to take after 35 years?

Doctors say that at this age women should be protected from unwanted pregnancy using intrauterine devices, because at this age, steroids, due to the presence of diseases acquired by a woman, are contraindicated.

A woman may suffer from cervical diseases, endometriosis, endocrinological diseases - diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, obesity. Many women smoke. These factors complicate the selection of hormonal contraceptives.

Steroids are prescribed only if there are no guaranteed contraindications. Combined contraceptive pills of the latest generation and three-phase drugs are preferred: Femoden, Triziston, Silest, Trikvilar, Marvelon, Tri-regol.

For this group of women, products with a low content of hormones, as well as "mini-pili" preparations, are excellent. Hormonal contraception is combined with the therapeutic effect of new generation drugs. The most popular of these is Femulen. It can be used if a woman has such diseases as thrombophlebitis, a previous heart attack and stroke, hypertension, severe migraine-type headaches, and some gynecological diseases.

Which birth control pills are right for women over 45?

After 45 years, ovarian function gradually decreases, the likelihood of pregnancy decreases, but it is still possible. Many women at this age still ovulate and fertilization of the egg can occur.

Undoubtedly, a woman is able to become pregnant and give birth to a child, but at the same time pregnancy often proceeds with complications, since at this age there is a fairly large bouquet of various diseases. Usually there are diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, chronic dysfunctions of the reproductive system. All factors can serve as contraindications for the appointment of hormonal contraceptives. Smoking and the presence of other bad habits also complicate the use of birth control pills.

Very often, by the age of 40, women no longer plan a pregnancy, and an unwanted pregnancy is artificially terminated. Abortion, especially during this period, has consequences that threaten the health of a woman. Frequent complications of abortion are the development of uterine fibroids, cancer, severe manifestations of menopause. The possibility of developing diseases indicates the need for contraception in this period.

Also, contraceptive pills are prescribed for many gynecological diseases, osteoporosis, for the prevention of ovarian and uterine cancer.

At the age of over 45, it is promising to use low-dose hormonal drugs, mini-pills, injections and implants that are implanted under the skin (for example, Norplant).

Combined contraceptive pills are contraindicated in women over 45 in the following cases:

• if a woman smokes;
• if a woman suffers from diseases of the heart and blood vessels - heart attack, stroke, thrombosis;
• with type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• with severe liver disease with the development of liver failure;
• with obesity.

At this age, the modern drug Femulen is often used, which has practically no side effects.

Effects of birth control pills

For pregnancy

When taking hormonal contraceptives, it is quite possible that pregnancy occurs if a woman does not take the pills correctly, or the regimen of taking them has been violated. If you suspect or establish pregnancy, you must urgently cancel the drug.

Taking hormonal drugs in the first three weeks of pregnancy does not adversely affect the condition of the fetus and the health of the woman.

In general on the body

Hormonal contraceptives have different effects on a woman's body. In order to timely identify the side effects of contraceptives, a woman taking these drugs must consult a doctor twice a year. Contraceptives can affect your vaginal flora. This influence manifests itself in various symptoms. Some develop signs of thrush (bacterial vaginitis), since taking drugs containing gestagens leads to a decrease in the level of lactobacilli in the vagina. In this case, it is possible to cancel the pills for a time when the level of estrogen recovers and the symptoms disappear.

On the development of mastopathy

Often women ask the question: can birth control pills cause mastopathy?

Experts say that with the right choice of contraceptive pills and the correct mode of their use, mastopathy cannot develop. Another thing is when a woman has a hormonal disorder, there are chronic gynecological diseases, diseases of the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands. Hormonal imbalance, stress, depression, abortion, breast trauma can lead to mastopathy.

Contraceptives should only be selected by a physician. The doctor must take into account all the characteristics of a particular woman, her state of health, age, heredity, phenotype, the presence of bad habits, lifestyle, sexual activity. With the wrong selection of the drug, no doubt, the risk of developing mastopathy increases.

It is important to start taking hormonal drugs only after consultation and examination with a specialist - in this case, you will avoid undesirable consequences and possible complications.

Do birth control pills help with menopause and androgenetic alopecia?

An effective treatment for women during menopause and with androgenetic alopecia can be pills and creams containing estrogen and progesterone.

Is it possible to leave without a doctor's prescription?

Birth control pills are prescription drugs and can only be prescribed by a doctor. The law does not prohibit the sale of hormonal contraceptives without a prescription. But only a doctor can help you choose the right method and means of contraception.

For some female diseases, hormone therapy is the most effective treatment. For the patients themselves, such drugs often cause concern: it is difficult to prevent possible negative consequences. Side effects of hormonal drugs can be quite dangerous.

Properties of drugs

The composition of hormonal preparations includes substances whose properties are as close as possible to natural human hormones. Naturally, in healthy people, hormones are produced by certain glands:

• adrenal glands;
• endocrine gland;

• the pituitary gland;
• pancreas.

Some diseases cause a malfunction that blocks the proper functioning of the systems responsible for the production of hormones.

Hormone-based medicines include several categories of drugs:

• supportive (for diabetics);
• contraceptives;
• regulatory;
• medicinal.

Funds can be of both vegetable and synthetic origin.

Purpose of using hormonal drugs

Hormone therapies for diabetes are short, medium, or long acting insulin.

Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for the natural production of this substance. Its main task is to maintain normal glucose levels.

Therapeutic hormones are prescribed for therapy for the following disorders:

• inflammation;
• allergic diseases;
• tumors;
• anemia;
• gynecological pathologies;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• abortion.

Contraceptives often contain a combination of the sex hormones estrogen and progestin. Long-term use of such drugs changes the work of the ovaries, as a result of which the ovulation process is eliminated, fertilization in this case becomes impossible.

In some cases, oral contraceptives also perform regulatory functions: they can be prescribed to "correct" hormonal levels in women. Such failures negatively affect not only sexual functions, but also the general condition of the body. Long-term disorders lead to infertility and oncology.

The main hormonal disruption in the female body occurs during menopause. After 35 years, the process of estrogen production slows down. Decreases and progesterone, which is needed to renew endometrial cells in the uterus. In the last stage of menopause, the production of estrogen stops completely.

All systems of the body suffer from menopause, from the thyroid gland to carbohydrate metabolism. This negatively affects the quality of life. It is especially difficult for the body to tolerate premature menopause, provoked by hormonal disruption. With the help of hormonal drugs, the level of estrogen and progesterone is brought closer to the natural rate.

Common side effects

Prevention and ways to reduce side effects

With the right approach to treatment, the negative effect of hormonal drugs on the body can be minimized. The greatest danger is treatment without specialist supervision. Self-administration of the drug is very dangerous.

When using the drug, you must adhere to simple rules:

• purchase exactly the prescribed drug from a reliable manufacturer, without trying to find an analogue;
• carefully observe the dosage recommended by the doctor;
• take medications on a prescribed schedule;
• do not skip taking a pill or injection;
• in case of skipping, do not increase the dose, trying to correct the hormonal background.

During treatment, the body needs maximum support from the immune system. To raise it, in parallel with hormonal agents, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes. It should be borne in mind that synthetic vitamins load the kidneys, they can be replaced with balanced nutrition.

The course of treatment is determined individually, but it is desirable that the hormone intake lasts no longer than nine months. After taking medications, the body needs a little respite. If necessary, treatment is resumed after 2-3 months.

In some pathological conditions, hormonal treatment is the patient's only chance for a full life. It is impossible to refuse taking medications, despite the extensive list of contraindications and side effects.

Therapist Angelique Panagos talks about how our hormones play a big role in health and happiness, and how to keep hormone levels normal.

How do hormones affect our body and how do we feel about them?

Are hormonal imbalances worrying you? Remember, you are not alone. Hormones are involved in many things, and in order to feel good, you must regulate the amount in your body. If you do everything right, you will be healthy and alert. Let's see what roles hormones play.

Unfortunately, gaining weight and staying awake is much more difficult than you might imagine. The fight "calories vs hormones" is sometimes overwhelming. Many people strenuously follow the recommendations of doctors, go on diets just to see how extra pounds go away. It is true that the effect of our hormones is stronger than just calories, because they are the ones that decide what your body does with food. For example, low hormone levels estradiol(hormone-based estrogen) can make you open the refrigerator more often - and usually not looking for fruit.

Hormones are closely related to sleep and may cause insomnia

Have you ever had a problem with falling asleep for several hours? If you lie in bed and feel exhausted, but cannot close your eyes and find yourself in the kingdom of Morpheus, then the problem may be in hormones! It's time to pay attention to your adrenal glands. The glands they contain produce the stress hormone - cortisol helping you "in battle". You see, stress is a life of constant worry.

You can relieve stress and enjoy life. For many of us, it seems easy to live in constant stress - especially in metropolitan areas. But stress has its own opinion on this matter, it has power over other functions of the body and imbalances in hormones can cause drowsiness, or make you want to sleep all the time.

High cortisol levels can even raise your blood sugar, weaken your thyroid gland. Also in his "power" the ability to block the production of other hormones, such as progesterone. A low level of the latter leads to the dominance of estrogen and is the reason for the appearance of fat in the abdomen.

Read also:

Photo: YinYang

How does flour affect hormone levels?

Speaking about baking, first you need to talk about the hormone - insulin. It plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar - glucose, which is used for fuel. Insulin kicks in as soon as we eat and should (at least in theory) balance our blood sugar levels. However, things are not always so smooth! We eat sugary foods so often, taking in too much glucose from our receptors, that we become insulin resistant. Ultimately, excess sugar is stored as fat in the body. In addition, it can lead to type 2 diabetes, so keeping your insulin in check is very important.

Hormones affect quality of life ... or not?

Testosterone is a male hormone, right? Did you know that women also need a healthy balance of testosterone? We hear a lot about testosterone when we usually talk about men.

Answering this question, we will say that absolutely all hormones affect our life and can affect everything - from your sex drive to.

Photo: PeopleImages

Hormones are responsible for our anxieties

Anxiety means different things to each of us. It can range from anxiety and irritability to real aggression and breakdowns. Regardless of what you are experiencing, it is important to remember that you are not alone with your problem.

Anxiety is a chronic form of stress that triggers the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Of course, today we do not face such dangers as a hungry lion, but our body goes through the same physiological changes when we are stressed or filled with anxiety. Over time, persistently high cortisol levels can create hormonal imbalances, increasing blood sugar and insulin levels.

By working on your stress addiction, you lower your blood sugar levels and ultimately calm you down as you transition from nervous breakdowns to a calm life.

But hormones are not only pessimism ...

Hormones make you feel love ...

The mutual feelings of a loved one make us happier. Level oxytocin, the hormone responsible for "love", increases when the mother is breastfeeding, and whenever we hug a loved one. It is also produced during sex. We need to monitor our hormones and if something gets out of control, we need to see a specialist.

Photo: wundervisuals

Outcome

Of course, in this article we have only touched on the basics. A more detailed description of hormones and their functions is much more complicated, however, we want you to know at least the basics of how hormones interact with each other. Remember, don't underestimate how poor hormonal rhythms can actually affect your life. Stress and lack of sleep can be harmful, so you need to try to relax and get enough sleep so that our hormones work for us, not against us.

There are many quality ways to release the happiness hormone in our body, but the best way to start is with a balanced diet and maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Eat meals rich in protein, healthy fats, and lots of greens. Avoiding refined foods and other hormonal irritants like caffeine and alcohol? You are on the right track!

Content

Medicines, which contain natural or artificial hormones, have to be drunk for various reasons, and women are more likely to do it. We drink them when we are afraid of getting pregnant or vice versa, we really want to conceive a child, and hormones also help to cope with menopause, acne and even cancer. However, many ladies are still afraid of this terrible word, depriving themselves of many opportunities. When are hormonal pills appropriate? Let's consider the important points.

The action of hormonal pills

The vast majority of processes occurring in the body in one way or another use hormones produced by the glands and are responsible both for metabolism in general and for many individual functions, such as growth, reproduction, and processing of substances. The human body constantly monitors the presence of hormones in the blood and, if they are lacking, tries to increase production, which means a change in the function of the gland. With the help of hormonal pills, you can restore the balance in the work of the systems.

Contraceptive drugs affect the body as a whole. Long-term use of these pills reduces the risk of cancer by about 50 percent. In addition, hormones help to make the cycle in the female body more regular, and the periods themselves often become less unpleasant. Drugs also help in eliminating acne, which are often a sign of hormonal imbalance.

Indications and contraindications

Hormones are prescribed in different situations, but the main points are:

1. Endocrine diseases.
2. Deficiency in the production of hormones by the body (drugs are used for a stimulating effect in order to restore the previous hormonal balance, often this is done to normalize the menstrual cycle in the body and return the ability to conceive a child).
3. Problems with the female reproductive system (hormonal substances normalize the menstrual cycle, stop dysfunctional discharge of blood from the uterus, promote ovulation, lead the body to the hormonal balance required for conception).
4. Mastopathy or fibroids (to reduce the rate of cell division in the mammary glands and uterus).
5. Contraception.
6. Acne, pimples.
7. Menopause (to restore balance in the body and prevent the occurrence of arterial hypertension, osteoporosis and other problems).

There are also general contraindications, here they are:

1. Smoking.
2. Increased blood clotting.
3. Cardiovascular diseases.
4. Excess weight.
5. Hepatic and renal failure.
6. Migraines with focal neurological symptoms.
7. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
8. Increased risk of blood clots.
9. Hormone-dependent diseases.
10. Oncology.
11. Vaginal bleeding.
12. Diabetes.
13. Pancreatitis

Side effects

Hormones can cause side effects in the body, which include unwanted hair growth, skin problems, and more. When taking contraceptives, they can vary from unpleasant discharge and swelling of the mammary glands to allergic reactions, you can still sharply replenish. Immediate withdrawal of the drug often does not have the desired effect, since the effect of hormones can be prolonged, the body will need some time to return to its normal state.

Types of hormonal pills

The drugs are divided into hormone groups:

• glands of the adrenal cortex, which include glucocorticosteroids, which are used to combat allergies and inflammation, and also as pain relievers.
• the thyroid gland, are used if it produces them in a small amount or, conversely, too much.
• genital, which include androgens, estrogens, gestagens.
• anabolic drugs.
• pituitary gland such as oxytocin and chorionic gonadotropin.
• pancreas, one of which is insulin.

The use of hormonal drugs

Hormonal drugs are used in cases where the human body is not able to independently provide itself with the necessary amount of hormones. This therapy is called substitution therapy, since the patient is forced to resort to it for a long time, which can often drag on for all the remaining years. Medicines that contain glucocorticoids are used to combat allergies.

Contraceptive

Contraceptives are one of the surest ways to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Their method of action is the influence of female hormones on the reproductive system in order to prevent ovulation and conception. The choice of the drug should be carried out by a gynecologist; when using an incorrectly selected contraceptive, many health problems may occur, up to liver diseases and venous thrombosis. Let's take a look at which birth control pills are the most popular:

• "Diana 35". It is an oral contraceptive with low hormone levels. In addition to contraception itself, it is used to treat seborrhea, problems with high levels of male hormones in the female body, acne and polycystic ovary syndrome. The drug affects ovulation, protecting against unwanted pregnancy. After stopping the hormonal drug, the girl can become pregnant again.
• "Lindinet 20". Modern means of the latest generation of contraceptives. These pills contain completely insignificant hormonal doses, which negates the side effects. Already with a three-month intake of the drug, a normalization of the cycle is noted, menstruation becomes less unpleasant. The likelihood of endometriosis, uterine or ovarian cancer, mastopathy decreases.
• Jess. Birth control pills are effective in combating acne, oily skin, because it counteracts male sex hormones. Often, gynecologists prescribe Jess birth control pills to girls from the age of 14 in order to combat acne and eliminate particularly painful menstruation. The peculiarity of the hormonal drug is that it cannot affect weight in any way.
• "Regulon". The composition of this drug includes gestagen and ethinyl estradiol, acting together on the pituitary gland, hormones make cervical mucus denser and more difficult ovulation, which excludes the entry of sperm into the uterus and fertilization.
• "Janine". The pills, which are a monophasic combined contraceptive, contain progestogen and ethinyl estradiol, which thicken cervical mucus, affect ovulation, preventing sperm from fertilizing.
• Midiana. It is an oral contraceptive based on drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, which affect the endometrium. Suppresses ovulation and prevents fertilization of the egg.

Estrogens

The level of hormones of the estrogen group is significantly higher in women. There are three types:

• estrone, produced during menopause;
• estradiol, produced by all women of reproductive age;
• estriol produced by the placenta during the period of gestation.

But sometimes the level of estrogen does not correspond to the norm, this is due to bleeding, problems with bearing a child, infertility, the presence of tumors in the reproductive system and breast. The following drugs are referred to as estrogens:

• Dermestril. Contains estradiol and is used for menopause, eliminating hot flashes, postmenopausal osteoporosis, urogenital atrophy, sleep and mood problems.
• "Divigel". Has estradiol as an active substance. This drug is distinguished by its beneficial effect on the development of specific female organs, such as fallopian tubes, breast ducts. It has a positive effect on the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, normalizes menstruation. In large doses, the hormone is able to reduce lactation, produce endometrial hyperplasia.

Thyroid gland

Levothyroxine sodium and triiodothyronine are thyroid hormones. If their level in the body decreases, this leads to consequences such as atherosclerosis, decreased cognitive functions, excess weight gain, and anemia. In the absence of diagnosis, treatment, problems with the thyroid gland can occur even in young people and result in a violation of the functions of other organs, apathy, and loss of strength.

Thyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone. Having passed through the kidneys and liver, it affects the growth, development of tissues in the body, as well as metabolism in general. Thyroxine affects the metabolism of fats and proteins, increases oxygen consumption, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. With increased doses and prolonged use, it affects the work of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland.

How to drink hormonal pills correctly

If the doctor has decided to prescribe hormones, do not argue, but listen. He will prescribe a course of examinations to make sure that the hormonal drug can be drunk and there will be no harm to the body, and then he will determine the dosage. If you are going to drink contraceptive, then contact your gynecologist. Having made an analysis for hormones and finding out which one is missing, the doctor will be able to prescribe a remedy. The gynecologist also examines the breast for the presence of oncology, since hormonal drugs are not prescribed for tumors.

How to drink contraceptive? In a certain order, once a day, for relief, the days of the week are indicated on the blister, it will be difficult to make a mistake, it will be difficult to miss an appointment. The first pill should be taken on the 1st day of menstruation, or at 5th, if it was not possible earlier. You should not do this later, since there will be a risk of getting pregnant. Don't forget and skip your daily intake. One blister is designed for a month, there are tablets with the expectation of continuous use, there are for 21 days (with a break of a week).

For breast augmentation

It is considered undeniable that the shape and size of a woman's mammary glands depends on genetic factors. At the same time, one should not forget that the female hormone estrogen affects the female breast. Some hormone pills interfere with its production, resulting in size changes. This effect is exerted by prolactin, which acts on the estrogen receptors in the breast, and progesterone, which promotes the growth of breast tissue.

Taking hormonal drugs requires a careful approach, only the doctor will tell you what dosage you need. So, there are hormones that you can drink 4 times a day with an interval of 4 hours. It is worth noting that it will not be superfluous to use a special cream to increase the bust, in addition, taking such drugs requires careful attention to the diet. In order not to lead to the production of testosterone, you should forget about sweet, starchy foods, reduce protein intake.

For pregnancy

To determine the hormones that can help in the conception of a child, you will have to pass urine and blood tests, which will allow you to understand the state of the body. The ovaries produce estradiol, which is involved in preparing the uterus for conception, as well as testosterone, progesterone, a follicle-stimulating hormone responsible for egg cells. Male testosterone, with its increased level in the female body, makes it difficult to conceive, interfering with the normal course of pregnancy.

Progesterone, sometimes called the maternal hormone, is essential for the development of a baby in the womb. Conception is due to the normal function of the thyroid and pituitary gland. The latter is responsible for prolactin, which stimulates lactation and ovulation, and for luteotropin, which controls the production of estrogen in the female body. If conception does not occur for a long time, women are sometimes prescribed "Femoston": it contains estradiol and dydrogesterone, which normalize and maintain the necessary hormonal level. This drug is a mixture of estrogen and progesterone.

For weight gain

Taking hormonal drugs can lead to weight gain. This is used by athletes who want to build muscle mass using steroids, which include corticosteroids and sex hormones. In Russia, they are prohibited, which forced the search for other methods, one of which turned out to be somatostatin, a growth hormone that can increase muscle mass.

However, you should be careful: hormones for weight gain should not be consumed without medical supervision. The doctor prescribes them for people with anorexia, emaciated, overly thin. The drug "Duphaston" is very common: it was created for women who want to get pregnant, but for those who want to gain weight, it suits perfectly well. Hormonal agents are prescribed after consulting an endocrinologist, he determines the dosage of the drug.

For acne

Hormone therapy is effective for acne. Taking hormone-containing medications will prevent excessive sebum production. However, you need to be on the lookout, as they can lead to poor mood, weight gain and headaches as a side effect. At the end of the course, acne may return, and to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to simultaneously use antibacterial drugs, and it is preferable not to antibiotics, but to natural substances.

Subcutaneous fat is formed with the participation of androgens, which are most actively produced by the female body during menstruation. This leads to the appearance of acne on the skin on such days. It is possible to eliminate this phenomenon by means of hormonal tablets containing progesterone and estrogen, which will help the body to maintain the balance of androgens. For this purpose, contraceptives are often prescribed, such as "Jess": they are drunk in a course, one pill a day.

What drugs to choose

It is not uncommon for women to make a decision about choosing a hormonal contraceptive based on advertisements or what their girlfriends have to say. Such a situation is unacceptable, because only a gynecologist, after all the necessary analyzes, examination of the body, can recommend any of the means. If you decide to choose a hormonal drug on your own, then it may not only fail to have the desired effect, but cause harm to your health, up to and including death.

Video

In the plot of the TV show, the obstetrician-gynecologist will tell you how and at what point hormonal contraceptives act on the body, why you should not be afraid to drink the drug. The doctor explains why contraceptives are good at fighting acne, how they prevent cancer of the uterus and ovaries, and also explains the benefits of the intrauterine ring and spiral for the treatment of certain gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis.

Somehow I sat on the Internet and looked for at least some reference book or book on the hormonal system, about how hormones generally affect the human body and psyche, but alas, I did not find anything useful and therefore decided to take responsibility and write a series of articles on this topic , in which we will consider the general principles of the effect of hormones on humans and describe each hormone separately, I hope you like it;) And so, let's start ...

I would like to devote my first article to such a topic as The hormonal system and its effect on the psyche and the human body. The biological nature of the human essence. And we'll probably start with a description of what it is all about hormonal system?

Hormonal system- a system that regulates the activity of the internal organs of the body, through the release of special biologically active substances into the blood, namely - hormones... The hormonal system in the human body is represented by the endocrine glands, in the cells of which these wonderful substances are produced.

What are the main endocrine glands in humans?

I must say right away that we will not describe each endocrine gland separately today, but just go through the main ones superficially, for the purpose of acquaintance, since the whole essence of the article will be reduced to describing the basics of the effect of hormones on the psyche and human body.

The main glands are:
1. Epiphysis or Pineal gland responsible for the formation of circadian rhythms of sleep, producing, for example Melatonin- sleep hormone.
2. Hypothalamus and Pituitary closely related to each other, simply for the reason that the hypothalamus produces hormone releasing ( liberins and statins) that affect the production tropical pituitary hormones. An example is Somatoliberin(raises) and Somatostatin(lowers), produced in the hypothalamus, which regulate the production of everyone's beloved Somatotropic hormone.
3. Thyroid gland produces iodine containing hormones, such as Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine.
4. Adrenal glands mainly produce stress hormones
5. Pancreas, in addition to producing digestive enzymes, it also produces hormones of carbohydrate metabolism such as Insulin and Glucagon.
6. Well, and accordingly sex glands produce sex hormones.

What is hormones and how is their influence on a person determined in general?

Hormones- biologically active substances through which there is regulation and control of all systems of the body and a person has 2 such systems that allow the body to adapt to constant external and internal changes:
1. Nervous- has an effect in nerve cells with the help neurotransmitters.
2. Endocrine- has an effect with the help of hormones that are carried throughout the body by the blood, affect certain target cells (receptors).
The difference between hormones and neurotransmitters is only that the former act at the level of chemical reactions in target cells of various tissues of the body, and the latter carry out the transmission of an electrical impulse in nerve cells.
The influence of hormones is determined by two components:
1. The level of the hormone in the blood
2. The concentration of the hormone in the blood
An example is a person who has type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent). Such a person can produce his own insulin, but he has a very low sensitivity of insulin receptors to it, which is why he has to inject insulin from the outside.
Also, the effect of hormones depends on the ratio of hormones, which are among themselves antagonists regarding some kind of impact. For example, if a person has a high concentration of growth hormone and a low concentration of insulin, then the growth hormone will have a clear fat-burning effect, but if suddenly somehow a person increases the level of insulin, then even with a high level of growth hormone, an obvious fat-burning effect will not be observed ...

The essence biologicality human behavior.

Biological behavior a person means that behavior directly depends on human biology, namely, throughout his life, a person performs instinctive programs, its state and current behavior depends on hormonal background(the level of concentration of hormones in the blood) and he can control his behavior with his mind, which allows you to execute instinctive programs more efficiently. By the way, what do I mean by these 3 concepts?
Instincts is a set of archaic programs sewn into our psyche, which have helped us to survive for thousands of years and which a person implements throughout his life.
Hormones- are bioregulators of the processes taking place in the body and allow the inclusion of certain instincts.
Under reason I understand - biological a component is a device of the nervous system and morphological structure of the brain, mental a component is a set of attitudes and stereotypes of behavior, a system of priorities in a set of life values ​​and a level of awareness.
Example biologicality: For example, the biological nature of a woman's behavior, namely her high emotionality, is determined by the structure of the brain and nervous system, which is formed under the influence of female sex hormones at certain stages of life, and is also determined by the hormonal background of a woman itself, but if a woman is aware of her biological essence, at least at the level of internal sensations, it can already have a certain effect on its behavior, this manifestation of intelligence is what distinguishes us from animals.

The types of influence of hormones on a person.

There are 2 main types of the effect of hormones on a person:
1. Biological- impact at the level of chemical reactions and the inclusion of certain chemical processes. The biological effect can manifest itself, in turn, in the form regulation ( hormones have a certain effect on various systems of the body, regulating its work or changing the mode of operation of certain organs and tissues ) and formation ( the presence of certain hormones at certain stages of life forms the body or can change the current structure of the body, both internal and external ).
Example regulation: Insulin is a transport hormone and delivers glucose to specific cells in the body, thereby regulating blood sugar or elevated levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine in the blood, leading to an accelerated heart rate, vasoconstriction and high blood pressure.
Example the formation: At 10-11 weeks of intrauterine development, the sex begins to form in children, and depending on the level of female or male sex hormones, the structure of the brain and nervous system will begin to form, as well as secondary sexual characteristics.
Moreover formative component of the effect of hormones, is the result regulatory exposure to hormones.

2. Mental- the impact of hormones on a person, leading to a particular behavior, and the mental impact is a consequence of exposure hormones at the level of chemical reactions or neurotransmitters at the level of transmission of electrical impulses in nerve cells, that is, the result biological impact. The mental can manifest itself in 3 forms:
Induction- hormones can provoke certain behavior, regardless of the state of the body.
Example induction: With an increased level of insulin and ghrelin (hunger hormone) in the blood, eating behavior will be caused in a person, or with an increase in serotonin levels, a person's mood will improve, regardless of the state of his psyche.
I would like to add that, unlike humans, hormonal induction plays a much larger role in animals, simply for the reason that humans can restrain themselves from desires.

Modulation- hormones modulate behavior, enhancing or weakening the manifestation of this behavior in proportion to the concentration of the hormone, but the hormonal influence is manifested only with a certain initial psychological state.

Example modulation: If a woman artificially increases the concentration of the hormone testosterone in the blood several times, then we will not immediately observe the features of male behavior, they can be detected only after a certain time, but if we start to increase the concentration of testosterone in a man, then he will only have masculine features intensify.
By the way, it should be added that not only hormones can modulate a certain mental state, but also a mental state can form hormonal levels.

Security- for the manifestation of a certain form of behavior, a certain level of the hormone is required, but with a further increase in its concentration, this form of behavior can only increase slightly, amplification can occur only at very high concentrations of the hormone.

Example securing: With a low level of glucocorticoids, a person feels bad, but if the level of glucocorticoids returns to normal, then the person begins to feel normal and with a further increase in concentration, his condition does not change significantly, but if the level of glucocorticoids increases tens of times, then the person will be manic condition.

Conclusion
1. Hormones are bioregulators of the body, which affect not only the biology of a person, but also his mental state and enable one or another instinct to be activated.
2. Human behavior is biological and his actions in society are conditioned by the implementation of instinctive programs, depends on the hormonal level and is controlled by the mind.
3. The more low-primative a person is, the better he controls his behavior, and the more effectively he implements instinctive programs in life.
4. Not only hormones affect the mental state of a person, but the mental state itself affects the hormonal background, therefore, if a person thinks positively, then he feels positive, thereby regulating the production of certain hormones.

End of the 1st part.