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How to increase estrogen in menopause: drugs, herbs, foods

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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With the development of climacteric syndrome, HRT using the analogues of these sex hormones is the main method of treatment and prevention of disorders caused by a deficiency in the body of a female estrogen. Estrogens with menopause are a very effective medicine, well helping with severe climacteric manifestations. But it must be taken into account that when treating with such drugs it is necessary to regularly see a doctor, and also to undergo periodic examinations.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4]

Indications of the estrogens with menopause

Estrogens are shown as an integral part of HRT in menopause. Also, with the climax, medicines containing exclusively estrogens are prescribed for continuous admission to women after an operation to remove the uterus.

trusted-source[5], [6]

Release form

Estrogens in menopause can be used not only orally - to reduce the negative effects on the body, some drugs are released in the form of vaginal suppositories, as well as creams, and in addition to these gels.

Tablets are most often used - they are more effective both as a remedy and for the prevention of menopausal manifestations. For application through the skin, gels are used (they are prescribed if the patient has hepatic pathologies, because with this method of administration, the drug enters directly into the blood, without passing through the liver). Vaginal suppositories and creams contain estriol, which is a weak estrogen.

Natural estrogens with menopause

Natural estrogens (or phytoestrogens) are vegetable therapeutic compounds, similar in their chemical structure to natural female hormones, so that they are able to function in the body as a substitute for estrogen.

Contained in certain plants, hormone-like chemical compounds can significantly help the process of restoring the hormonal balance in the body. Since many discomfort manifestations of menopause arise precisely due to a decrease in the level of estrogen, these herbal substances are one of the most popular treatment options for this syndrome.

trusted-source[7], [8], [9], [10]

Herbs with menopause with estrogens

Vegetable estrogen in record amounts is contained in such herbs: shepherd's handbag, Siberian ginseng, and also the boron uterus.

Herbs containing lesser amounts of this hormone: chamomile color, sage, licorice root, parsley, linden inflorescences, seeds of sweet clover and flax, and besides that, alfalfa and clover.

There are 300 plant species that come in 16 different families that contain a certain amount of estrogens. Among them, lignans, as well as isoflavones, were studied most of all.

Isoflavone glabridin is found in the licorice root. Large amounts of this substance can inhibit the processes of reproduction of cancer cells, but a small number of it, on the contrary, provokes the growth of these cells.

Lignans, extracted from flax seeds, acquire a steroid nature exclusively in the human intestine. Their biological properties are similar to the properties of isoflavones.

Suppositories with estrogen in menopause

Hormonal suppositories with menopause are used to relieve the symptoms of burning and itching in the vagina.

Suppositories Ovestin are one of the most effective and popular means containing estrogen - in the form of estriol. Estriol is a hormone with a short-term effect, which excludes the risk of formation of new cells in the endometrium.

The medicine promotes the regeneration of the epithelium layer on the vaginal mucosa, and in addition restores the natural microflora and acid balance in it - thereby preventing the development of pathogenic microbes. Along with this, the level of local immunity rises.

Estrogens in tablets with menopause

The most popular and effective estrogenic drugs produced in tablets, which are used in menopause, are as follows:

  • Premarin containing conjugated estrogens. It is used in hormonal therapy - with climacteric syndrome, bleeding from the uterus, as well as osteoporosis that develops during menopause;
  • Estradiol, which contains components that are the most approximate to natural female hormones. It is used to stabilize the hormonal balance in the blood;
  • Preson, which is often used in HRT. Its medicinal properties make it possible to maintain the reproductive capacity of women;
  • Tefestrol - it allows you to restore the state of the vaginal mucosa, and also stimulates the uterine function;
  • Estrofem is used to fill the lack of endogenous estrogen in the female body.

The properties of estrogens in menopause will be examined using the example of Estrofem and Ovestin preparations.

trusted-source[11]

Pharmacodynamics

Estrofem is created on the basis of the substance 17-β-estadiol, which in its composition corresponds to the natural estrogen produced by the ovaries. It helps to restore the normal functioning of the genital organs of a woman - the uterus with uterine tubes, the vagina, the ducts of the mammary glands, and also the stroma. Together with this, it affects the pigmentation of the area next to the nipples and genitals.

The drug also affects the function of female 2-gender sexual characteristics, suppresses lactation, stabilizes the menstrual cycle, and together with these processes the metabolism of fats and proteins with carbohydrates.

Thanks to drugs, you can lower the cholesterol in the blood, and in addition increase the libido and emotional state of the patient. Its effect helps to strengthen the bone mass, as well as their density - this allows to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis and makes the bones stronger, thereby reducing the risk of vertebral fractures and joints in the hip area.

trusted-source[12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]

Pharmacokinetics

After intravaginal use, the active substance provides the local bioavailability that is optimal for the drug effect. Together with this, it is quickly absorbed, penetrating into the common hematopoietic system. As a result, the plasma concentration of unbound estriol rises rapidly. The peak is reached after 1-2 hours after use.

Almost all the active component in the plasma binds to albumin (unlike other estrogens, it almost does not interact with globulin, which provides a link to sex hormones).

During metabolism, estriol is mainly converted into a conjugated as well as unconjugated state due to circulation in the intestine and liver. It is the final product of disintegration and is usually excreted from the body in a bound form along with urine. Only a small part of it (about 2%) is excreted together with feces (usually unbound estriol). The half-life lasts about 6-9 hours.

With vaginal administration of 0.5 mg of active substance, the peak concentration is about 100 pg / ml. The minimum level is about 25 pg / ml, and the average concentration is about 70 pg / ml. With a three-week daily administration of estriol in this dosage, the average is reduced to 40 pg / ml.

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Dosing and administration

The divigel is used transdermally. It is prescribed for cyclic or continuous prolonged treatment. The gel is applied to the skin in the lower abdomen or buttocks region. The area of processing with one bag of drugs should be equal to the size of 1-2 palms. After the treatment is complete, wash your hands thoroughly, and wait for 1-2 minutes to allow the gel to dry. It is forbidden to treat the area with the medicine on the face, chest or genitals, as well as the damaged skin. It is impossible that the gel penetrated into the eyes.

If the scheduled treatment with the medicine was missed, it is necessary to apply it early - from the time of the planned procedure time it should not take more than 12 hours. If this time has passed, do not miss the processing, the next is done at the appointed time. In the case of frequent missed procedures, bleeding from the uterus (similar to menstruation) may develop.

The duration of the treatment course, as well as the dosage of Divigel is prescribed by the attending physician.

At the initial stage of treatment, 1 g of gel per day is usually prescribed. After 2-3 cycles after the start of treatment, dose adjustment takes place, taking into account the condition of the woman, as well as the effectiveness of drugs. On average, the treatment dosage is 0.5-1.5 mg of estradiol (or 0.5-1.5 g of the drug).

Estrofem is taken internally, and it must be done every time at the same time of day. Treatment begins with a minimum dosage - 1 tablet once a day. Correct the size of the dose is allowed at least 3 months after the start of the treatment course. During the menopause (or with the removed uterus), a woman can start a course on any given day.

If you miss a dose, you need to take a pill as soon as possible, but if the period of the pass is a whole day, the missed pill is not used - a double dose of the medicine is strictly forbidden.

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Contraindications

Among the contraindications to the use of drugs that contain hormones, the presence of the patient in the following diseases or conditions:

  • presence in the anamnesis of thrombosis or thromboembolism;
  • diabetes mellitus in severe form;
  • oncological pathology of the endometrium or breast;
  • estrogen-dependent malignant tumors;
  • pathology of the kidney or liver, in which there is a breakdown in the work of these organs;
  • having an unidentified etiology of bleeding from the vagina;
  • suspicion that the patient is pregnant.

trusted-source[24], [25], [26]

Side effects of the estrogens with menopause

Antimycotic drugs containing hormones are known for causing a large number of adverse reactions - in short this list includes the possible occurrence of such problems:

  • weight gain;
  • headache
  • the appearance of edema due to fluid retention in the body;
  • ogrubenie mammary glands;
  • development of cholestasis, which leads to a violation of the digestive process.

trusted-source[27], [28], [29], [30]

Overdose

In the event of a severe overdose, Divigel may develop pain in the mammary glands, a feeling of irritability or anxiety, and also flatulence. There is no specific antidote - it requires a reduction in dosage or a complete withdrawal of drug use.

When the dosage of Estrofem is exceeded, it is possible to develop symptoms that are characteristic of digestive disorders, such as vomiting and nausea.

trusted-source[34], [35], [36], [37], [38]

Interactions with other drugs

Estrofem markedly increases the medicinal effect on the body of lipid-lowering drugs.

When combined with estrofem, the effects of anticoagulants, diuretic, antihypertensive, and also hypoglycemic drugs and male hormones are weakened.

The process of metabolism of estrofem becomes much more intense in the case of combination with barbiturates, anticonvulsants, tranquilizers, opioid analgesics, drugs for anesthesia, and inducers of microsomal hepatic enzymes.

Rifampicin, phenylbutazone, as well as ampicillin change the balance of the intestinal microflora, as a result of which the absorption of estrofem is weakened.

The therapeutic effect of estradiol is enhanced by the combination with folic acid and thyroid preparations.

trusted-source[39], [40], [41], [42]

Storage conditions

Preparations from menopause should be kept under standard conditions for medications. They should not be frozen, the temperature should not exceed 25 ° C.

trusted-source[43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49]

Shelf life

Estrogens for menopause can be used within 3-4 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "How to increase estrogen in menopause: drugs, herbs, foods" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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