Hormonal contraceptives

The mechanism of action of hormonal contraceptives is built on the fact that high doses of female hormones inhibit oocyte maturation in the ovary and delay ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible?   - Release of an egg in the fallopian tube for connection with the sperm.

The first products of this group were far from perfect, as it causes hormonal background, leaving women dramatically gain weight, they have started body hair of male type, and so on. The latest generation of these drugs is almost rid of these shortcomings. Hormonal contraceptives solve many problems not only contraception and hormonal normalization women and hence the treatment of gynecological diseases.

The mechanism of action regulon

Regulon - modern monophasic (all tablets contain the same dose of hormones) combined (composed of two drugs) hormonal contraceptive. Available in tablets, designed to receive within three weeks (total 21 tablets in a blister).

Regulon contains two synthetic hormones, which are analogs of the natural female sex hormones ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen analogue) and desogestrel (progesterone analogue). The mechanism of action lies in the fact that an excess of female hormones slows down the production of hormones of the pituitary gland (the main endocrine gland located in the brain, which has a regulating effect on the activities of the rest of the endocrine glands, including sex). With a lack of sex hormones produced increased amounts of pituitary hormones, and they stimulate the production of female sex hormones, with the excess production of pituitary hormones, in contrast, is inhibited. And as a regulon the body receives a lot of female sex hormones, the pituitary hormones that stimulate their production (follicle - FSH and lyuteonizuruyuschego - LH), sharply reduced.

Lack of FSH and LH violates the maturation of ovarian follicles and ovulation yield egg from the ovary, so pregnancy does not occur. The contraceptive effect is enhanced by a decrease in uterine receptivity to the introduction of the embryo and release the channel cervical mucus of increased viscosity, which prevents the penetration of sperm into the uterus.

Regulon has a positive effect on fat metabolism, promoting the formation of good cholesterol, which the body needs to digest and break down fat. The amount of harmful cholesterol, that is deposited in blood vessels in the form of plaques does not increase.

The drug helps to normalize hormonal women, resulting in restored metabolism, decreases; Duration of menstrual bleeding and so forth.

Indications and contraindications for receiving regulon

Take regulon only on prescription, and after a preliminary examination as a hormonal contraceptive.

Admission regulon is contraindicated in:

• if you are hypersensitive to the drug;
• during pregnancy (a large amount of estrogen can break during pregnancy and miscarriage to happen) and during lactation Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   (decreases the amount of breast milk and change its composition as reducing the amount of another pituitary hormone - prolactin);
• for hypertension;
• in complicated forms of atherosclerosis;
• thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the walls of veins) and thromboembolism (blood clot isolation and blockage of their blood vessels);
• in disorders of cerebral circulation;
• with severe diseases of the heart (coronary artery disease, heart disease, and so on);
• diabetes mellitus complicated by blood vessel disease;
• in severe liver diseases in violation of its functions;
• in all tumors (stimulates their growth);
• bleeding with unknown causes;
• when lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, otosclerosis (proliferation of connective tissue), as the process of proliferation of connective tissue is stimulated;
• when genital herpes.

With caution should be appointed regulon epilepsy, migraine, diabetes, kidney function, some types of anemia, a severe form of depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood .

Side effects that may occur while taking regulon

When receiving regulon may experience the following side effects requiring discontinuation of the drug:

• the part of the circulatory system: myocardial infarction, stroke, blockage (thrombosis) deep veins of the lower extremities, thromboembolism (blockage of blood vessels to tear thrombus), high blood pressure;
• Liver: jaundice, seizures of gallstone disease.

Side effects that do not require the cancellation regulon: intermenstrual bleeding, absence of menstrual bleeding after drug withdrawal, the changing nature of the vaginal mucus, pain and breast enlargement, the allocation of them milk, change of libido, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms , Headache, depression, hearing loss, edema, weight gain.

Prolonged use may cause itching and spots on the skin.

Hormonal contraceptives In no case can not be taken without prescription and a preliminary examination.

Hormonal contraceptives during breastfeeding

Estrogen contraceptives

These are also called combined contraceptives because they contain both estrogen and progestin. The combined contraceptives are highly effective, but they can reduce milk production. As a progestin, an estrogen in a small amount through the milk, but this does not harm the health of the baby.

Use contraceptives containing estrogen, it is not recommended, at least up until the child is six months old, and it begins to eat solid food.

The combined contraceptive containing progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology And estrogen. For this type of contraception include:

• The combined pill (such as Yasmin, Janine Jeanine - not only contraception but also protection against acne , and others);
• Monthly injection (Lunelle);
• The contraceptive patch (Evra);
• The vaginal ring (NuvaRing).

Milk production. Contraceptives containing estrogen can decrease milk production and reduce the period of lactation, even if you start taking them when a child is a little older, and the beginning of the milk produced is stable. Not all nursing mothers who take estrogen contraceptives Estrogen - the key to bone health Becomes smaller than breast milk, however, these mothers are in the minority. In most cases, estrogen has a negative impact on lactation.

Security. As a progestin (progesterone) and estrogen is officially approved for use as a contraceptive nursing mothers. Below, we talk more about the potential side effects associated with the use of contraceptives.

Progestin contraceptives

Contraceptives this type comprise progestin only. They are considered the most safe for breastfeeding mothers and their babies hormonal contraceptives. By progestin contraceptives are tabeletki (mini-pill), the contraceptive injection, implant, hormonal IUDs. They are very effective in preventing pregnancy and in some cases even increase the amount of breast milk. Because they contain hormones, some of their number falls into the milk, but the clinical trials did not reveal any adverse effects on the children.

Progestin contraceptives - the most preferred of hormonal contraceptives for women during lactation. For this type of contraception include:

• Birth control pills containing only progestin, or "mini-pill" (for example, Micronor, Errin, Nor-QD, Ovrette, Microval);
• Contraceptive injection (Depo Provera);
• Progestin IUD (Mirena, Progestasert);
• Contraceptive implants (Norplant, Implanon).

Milk production. Most nursing mothers progestin-only contraceptives do not cause problems with milk production if they have begun to take 6-8 weeks after birth, and if you do not exceed the recommended dose. However, we know many cases (usually occurs in violation of the rules of reception of contraceptives, but nonetheless worthy of attention) when women using progestin contraceptives, decreased milk production. Therefore it if you choose this method of contraception, remember that it must be used with caution.

If you want to use progestin contraception, which provide long-term protection (for example, after the injection of Depo-Povera you are protected against pregnancy for at least 12 weeks, and the intrauterine device Mirena and Progestasert and implants Norplant of up to five years), you must first try minipill at least for one or two months. If they will fit, probably other progestin contraceptives do not cause serious side effects. If you find that you - one of the few women who have progestin negative effect on milk production, you can simply stop taking the pills, and soon returns to normal lactation. If you just do the contraceptive injection Contraceptive injection - used cautiously   or put an intrauterine device, restore the milk production will be much harder.

Importantly, intra-uterine device of progestin hormones enter directly into the interior of the uterus, whereby the level of progesterone in the blood rises only slightly (much less than during the pills containing progestin). As a consequence, spiral rarely produce side effects than the contraceptive pill and injection.

The composition of the milk. If taken progestin pill in too high doses, they may affect the composition of the milk. In particular, increased levels of progestin reduces protein content of nitrogen and lactose in milk. If a woman takes mini-pill in recommended doses, these effects are unlikely.

Security. Progestin is considered safe for nursing mothers.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception, as you can tell by its name, should be used only in extreme cases (regardless of whether you are breast-feeding, or not). It is now possible to purchase two types of products belonging to the category of emergency contraception:

• Combined pills containing estrogen and progestin (Preven, Ovral);
• Progestin pills (Plan B).

Milk production. Estrogen, as mentioned above, most often leads to a decrease production of breast milk. Within a few days after taking pills for emergency contraception milk can be produced in somewhat smaller numbers than usual, but then normal lactation. Some herbs, such as fenugreek, can prevent the occurrence of this side effect of estrogen, but before using them it is necessary to consult with your doctor.

Security. Emergency Contraceptive Pills (both combined and progestin) are considered compatible with lactation, but you need to take them as little as possible. They can not be used as a regular contraceptive methods - this also applies to women who do not breastfeed.