Pros and cons of hormonal weight loss pills

What sacrifices do curvy beauties make to get rid of hated fat deposits. Gyms, diets, fasting, various dubious drugs that not only reduce weight but also harm health, hormonal pills for weight loss, the use of which is associated with a certain risk, various nutrition systems are becoming more and more widespread. And all just to get closer to the cherished ideal of a slim figure.

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Indications of hormonal diet pills

You can have a negative attitude towards such delights, considering people with excess weight to be guilty of their problems. But you need to understand that the causes of excess weight, in addition to excess food and a sedentary lifestyle, can be ordinary hormonal imbalances, and here neither diets nor physical exercise can help get rid of unnecessary fat.

The main culprits of problems with excess weight can be considered ordinary sex hormones. But the body of a woman - the continuer of the family - is designed in such a way that many of its functions provide a kind of care for the health and life of possible offspring.

The female body is particularly thrifty in case the lady decides to get pregnant. The fetus will need "energy" reserves for adequate nutrition and development during the intrauterine period. At the same time, the body itself often does not take into account whether the woman wants to become a mother in the near future. Fat accumulates, and, remaining unclaimed, is deposited in the form of unsightly folds on the woman's figure.

Sometimes a woman's body is so carried away by caring for the baby that even after giving birth it cannot stop and the young mother continues to gain weight rapidly. And again, the reason for all this is sex hormones, or rather the increased production of female sex hormones, which form round female forms.

But it is not only female sex hormones that are to blame for the fact that scales sometimes show terrifying figures. The cause of excess weight can be banal failures in the thyroid gland, which produces thyroid hormones responsible for the metabolism in the human body. It is the disruption of fat and carbohydrate metabolism that is the most common cause of extra pounds in middle-aged and older women.

It turns out that indications for the use of hormonal pills for weight loss can be considered 2 conditions: excess female sex hormones or deficiency of thyroid hormones. In other cases, the use of hormonal agents is not only inappropriate, it can cause irreparable harm to human health, causing hormonal imbalances, liver and kidney problems, metabolic disorders and even cancer. In addition, uncontrolled use of such means of combating fat deposits can not only fail to bring the desired result, but on the contrary, lead to the fact that weight will begin to increase with renewed vigor.

It is important to understand that hormonal pills are not a weight loss product in themselves. They are produced with one purpose – to correct hormonal imbalances in the body, and weight loss is a unique, and in this case, useful side effect of their use. But weight loss is only one of the many side effects of hormonal drugs, the effect of which is difficult to predict. Therefore, their use must be agreed upon with a specialist doctor, and in the future, strictly adhere to the doctor's recommendations on the permissible dosage and course of treatment in order to avoid complications that are dangerous to health.

Release form

Based on the indications for use, we can distinguish 2 main groups of hormonal drugs that have a positive effect in the fight against excess weight. These are:

• Drugs that inhibit the production of female hormones, due to which a quantitative advantage of estrogen over other female sex hormones occurs in the woman’s body.
• Medicines that normalize the functions of the thyroid gland, and in particular the production of thyroid hormones. Thanks to them, the metabolism in the body is stabilized and a gradual weight loss occurs.

There is another group of drugs that help reduce weight, but their use is associated with a great risk to health. We are talking about drugs that stimulate the production of growth hormone - somatotropin. It is thanks to this hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland, that teenagers do not gain weight during the period of active growth, even though they eat quite a lot.

But it should be taken into account that in adolescence, increased production of growth hormone is a natural physiological process that cannot harm health, which cannot be said about adulthood. Athletes most often resort to drugs to stimulate the production of somatotropin if there is a need to quickly form significant muscle mass and make bones elastic.

Somatotropin promotes the renewal of the body and the growth of its cells. On the one hand, this seems to be a useful action, but on the other hand, it is a completely unsafe process that in an adult organism leads to unpleasant internal and external changes in the appearance of a person, causing various disorders and failures in the functioning of systems and organs.

Since the last group of hormonal pills used for weight loss is used against the background of normal, and not pathological, production of growth hormone, as in the case of sex hormones and thyroid hormones, they cannot bring any particular benefit to the body, but they can easily harm human health. Therefore, when resorting to this method of combating excess weight, it is worth thinking carefully about the possible consequences.

Names and use of hormonal pills for weight loss, normalizing thyroid function

The thyroid gland is the following. The thyroid gland, like many other glands in the complex organism called "human", produces its own hormones, called thyroid hormones. These hormones in turn stimulate heart contractions and blood flow. Blood moves through the vessels at an accelerated rate, intensively saturating the tissues with oxygen. Such a complex process implies a considerable expenditure of energy, the source of which is fat deposits. Thus, by improving metabolism, thyroid hormones contribute to weight loss.

It becomes clear that a violation of the production of hormones by the thyroid gland threatens that the metabolism in the body is sluggish, the absorption of food is also not at the proper level, and fat gradually settles under the skin, which significantly spoils the figure. It turns out that to activate the fat burning process, it is necessary for thyroid hormones to come from the outside, in the form of replacement therapy. This is why hormonal pills containing a synthetic or natural analogue of thyroid hormones are often used as a means of losing weight, without thinking about the consequences.

The thing is that hormonal drugs are not headache pills that you take when you have a headache. Medicines containing hormones require a special regimen that must be followed throughout the entire treatment period.

It is virtually impossible to determine the dosage of thyroid hormone medications on your own; a doctor should do this based on specific studies of hormone levels. The fact is that an excess of thyroid hormones is as dangerous as their deficiency. By uncontrollably increasing metabolism, we increase the level of glucose in the blood, which can cause a diabetic coma. And increased breakdown of fats is dangerous for the brain, which consists mostly of fat cells.

If there is a certain deficiency of thyroid hormones, a specialist doctor can prescribe the following drugs: "Thyroidin", "Levothyroxine", "Novotiral", "Iodthyrox", "L-Thyroxine" and others. The first is based on the thyroid hormones of cattle, while the rest are produced using their synthetic analogue levothyroxine in pure form or in combination with other components that enhance the effect of the drugs.

"Tyrenoidin" is a drug used to treat conditions associated with thyroid dysfunction, such as edema due to sudden inhibition of the thyroid gland (myxedema), decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism), cretisism, goiter, obesity, etc. It is also used in the treatment of thyroid cancer.

The drug has the following contraindications for use: impaired blood flow in the coronary vessels, excess of thyroid hormones in the blood (thyrotoxicosis), diabetes mellitus, chronic adrenal cortex insufficiency and associated hormone deficiency (Addison's disease), severe exhaustion of the body.

Possible side effects of the drug: sleep problems, increased excitability, allergic reactions in the form of rash and itching, increased heart rate, ischemia, hyperhidrosis, etc. They are observed rarely, most often in case of drug overdose.

The drug "Novotiral" in addition to the above-mentioned indications for use is used as an additional therapy for thyrotoxicosis. It is not used for angina, goiter in old age, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and many other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Side effects of the drug include the appearance or increase of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, weight gain, hair loss, and kidney dysfunction.

Both for the treatment of underlying diseases and as hormonal weight loss pills, Novotiral is used only in a dosage individually selected by a doctor according to a specific regimen once a day half an hour before breakfast.

Interaction with other drugs makes its use in parallel with hypoglycemic agents and "Cholestyramine" undesirable.

"Ioditrox" is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism, euthyroid goiter (proliferation of thyroid tissue without disruption of its functions) in various age groups of the population, including during pregnancy, and also as a preventive measure used after removal of some part of the thyroid gland.

"Iodothyrox" is not used in patients diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, thyroid adenoma, myocardial diseases, adrenal insufficiency, Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis, as well as in cases of hypersensitivity to iodine.

Caution in therapy with this drug should be observed by heart patients, diabetics, and the elderly. The regimen is identical to the previous drug, and the dosage is again selected based on the individual characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.

Side effects are observed in cases of sensitivity of the body to iodine preparations and manifest themselves in the form of various allergic reactions. In such a case, the relevant measure will be the cancellation of the drug.

When using Iodthyrox, it is necessary to take into account multiple cases of drug interactions with other drugs, as a result of which the effectiveness of the drug may increase or decrease. Disturbances in the functioning of various organs and systems are also possible.

"L-Thyroxine" is used, among other things, to treat toxic goiter, and also as a diagnostic tool when conducting a test to determine thyroid function. An analogue of this drug is "Eutirox".

To the usual contraindications for use, one can add impaired absorption of lactose and glucose. The dosage of the drug is strictly individual, and the regimen is similar to the previous drugs.

Side effects do not occur if the doctor's instructions are followed, except in cases of individual intolerance to the drug. The appearance of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in the form of hand tremors, diarrhea, insomnia, heart pain and heart rhythm disturbances, hyperhidrosis against the background of anxiety, loss of appetite and weight loss is a consequence of an overdose of the drug.

Taking L-Thyroxine should be done taking into account drug interactions with other drugs, which you can learn more about by studying the instructions for use of this drug, so as not to harm your health in pursuit of an ideal figure.

"Levothyroxine" is a strong drug of the last generation, which should be used with extreme caution.

As we can see, hormonal drugs for normalizing the thyroid gland are not simple safe weight loss pills, but serious medications that require strict dosage and caution in use. Treating excess weight with these drugs is possible only under the supervision of a doctor based on a confirmed diagnosis. Otherwise, you can not only fail to achieve the desired result, but also significantly damage your health.

The same applies to drugs containing growth hormones, as well as various fat-burning products that fill the numerous shelves of sports stores. The possibility of using these products, as well as the choice of the optimal drug, should be consulted with your doctor, and not just with the sales consultant at the sports goods supermarket.

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Hormonal contraceptives are active assistants in the fight against excess weight

If a woman has weight gain due to excessive production of female sex hormones, correction of this condition is carried out mainly with the help of contraceptives of special action, which normalize the hormonal background. In this case, drugs are used in the form of tablets for oral administration.

The latter include the popular means in this regard "Logest", "Mersilon", the drug "Yarina", which belongs to the new generation of contraceptives, "Jess", "Regulon" and "Novinet", less often "Rigevidon", which are prescribed to patients with problematic weight. They increase the level of estrogen in the woman's body, thereby preventing unwanted pregnancy and weight gain. Moreover, weight gain is a consequence of both a lack of estrogen and its excess, so these drugs should be used strictly according to the doctor's instructions with constant monitoring of hormonal levels and therapy results.

Pharmacodynamics

All 4 drugs contain 20-30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, which is an analogue of the hormone estrogen, and a certain amount of a component similar in its action to progesterone, which is often called the pregnancy hormone (desogestrel, drospirenone, gestodene or levonorgestrel). Contraceptives inhibit the release of an egg ready for fertilization and increase the viscosity of the mucus at the entrance to the uterus, creating an obstacle for sperm. The body maintains a level of sex hormones that does not contribute to weight gain, but on the contrary, provokes its loss.

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Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of these drugs depends on their components. However, all drugs are notable for their rapid action. The maximum concentration of drugs is observed in the first 1-3 hours. These drugs are eliminated from the body within 24-30 hours through the kidneys and intestines, passing through the liver.

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Dosing and administration

The method of using hormonal pills for weight loss is the same for almost all of the above-mentioned contraceptives. The start of taking the drug should coincide with the 1st day of the menstrual cycle. For exactly 3 weeks, the drugs are taken in the amount of 1 tablet daily (preferably at the same time). Starting from the 22nd day, take a week-long break, during which discharge similar to menstrual discharge may be observed, which is considered normal. After 7 days, the drug is taken again. This is done as long as there is a need for contraception.

The drug "Jess" has a different continuous use scheme. Its packaging contains not 21, but 28 tablets, corresponding to a 4-week course of administration.

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Use of hormonal diet pills during pregnancy

The use of hormonal birth control pills for weight loss during pregnancy is considered unacceptable due to the small amount of information about their impact on the course of pregnancy and fetal development.

Contraindications

And everything would be fine if the drugs, having mainly one indication - contraception, did not have such multiple contraindications for use. This includes a predisposition to thrombosis, migraines, diabetes, and pancreatitis. It is not recommended to take these drugs in many liver and gallbladder pathologies, even if they were previously noted in the patient's medical history, in malignant tumors in the uterus or vaginal bleeding. In addition to multiple other contraindications, oral contraceptives have the ability to be excreted in breast milk, so their use is extremely undesirable during lactation. And of course, contraceptives are not used during pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.

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Side effects of hormonal diet pills

Undesirable side effects of the drugs include nausea and vomiting, especially in the first days of taking them, menstrual irregularities and premature bleeding at the beginning of use, headaches, depression, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, allergic reactions, and sometimes weight gain.

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Overdose

Cases of drug overdose are extremely rare when the dosage regimen is not followed and manifest as the same nausea, vomiting and uterine bleeding.

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Interactions with other drugs

Medicines that induce liver enzymes negatively affect the effectiveness of contraceptives. Tetracycline group drugs, as well as ampicillin and its derivatives, can significantly reduce the effect of contraceptives. When using drugs in parallel, a barrier method is used.

Oral contraceptives themselves have the ability to affect the absorption of carbohydrates, as well as increase the need for insulin and other drugs used in the treatment of diabetes.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of various oral contraceptives ranges from 3 to 5 years, and they do not require special storage conditions, perfectly tolerating temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees.

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How to fight excess weight without using hormonal pills?

Since any hormonal drugs can have a rather unpredictable effect, their use is advisable in cases where other means are powerless. Having decided on such treatment, it is worth considering whether all methods and means have been used before and have not brought results? Perhaps many are attracted to hormonal weight loss pills by the fact that they will not have to make any effort to lose weight, but you must also remember the possible consequences of hormone therapy.

But there are plenty of safe methods and means of combating excess weight. Sometimes it is enough to simply optimize your daily routine and diet. There is no need to sit on strict diets that undermine your health, it is better to focus on a balanced diet and limit the consumption of fatty and sweet foods. Replace sweet desserts with fruits and berries, and high-calorie fried dishes with steamed or baked ones, and get a big "thank you" from the entire digestive system, which will finally breathe a sigh of relief. Fasting days also help in the fight against extra pounds.

You can speed up your metabolism, which leads to active energy consumption due to the breakdown of fatty tissue, using plain clean water or green tea without adding sugar. Increase the amount of liquid you drink – and the result will not take long to come. Plain water can be replaced with herbal teas, taking into account the properties of the herbs included in it. It is better to use proven domestic collections, and not drugs of dubious production with exorbitant prices.

It is necessary to ensure a good night's sleep, which will give you a daily boost of energy for an active life and physical exercise. Daily brisk walks will not only help you lose weight, but also strengthen your heart and blood vessels. No medications can effectively combat fat deposits if a person spends all their time lying down or sitting with a minimum of physical activity.

Laziness is the worst enemy of overweight people, which makes them resort to using hormonal pills for weight loss without any special indications. There are situations when the use of such means is the only way to normalize weight, but in most cases you can easily do without them. You only need desire and aspiration for the set goal, i.e. for the cherished ideal, which everyone defines for themselves taking into account their constitution, and not just the demands of fashion.