In the article, we will consider preparations containing hCG.
In the case when the result of an ultrasound examination shows that the follicles have the required size or they have grown to 25 millimeters, then in order to achieve fertilization, the doctor prescribes special injections of hCG, that is, the so-called human chorionic gonadotropin. These are, first of all, hormonal drugs that help to get pregnant. HCG preparations are allowed to be administered only a day after the use of Puregon, Menogon and other similar drugs.
What is HCG?
Human gonadotropin is a unique hormone with special functions. It is produced, as a rule, in pregnant women, since bearing a child is a kind of condition that involves an additional regulatory mechanism along with a restructuring of the body.
Answering briefly the question of what hCG is, it should be said that it is, first of all, a hormone produced by fetal tissues, itthe growth of the child is supported and there is a direct impact on the course of all pregnancy processes. Given that gonadotropin is synthesized by the shell of the embryo, there is no way to detect it outside of pregnancy. Thus, when the hormone in question is found not during gestation or in males, this indicates the presence of a pathological condition, in particular, the presence of a tumor in the body.
HCG functions
At the end of the first seven days after the connection of the sperm with the egg, the embryo attaches to the uterine wall, however, at this stage it is only a small bubble. Already during this period, its cells begin to actively produce chorionic gonadotropin, aimed at ensuring normal growth. The main part of the placenta is represented by the chorion formed by the endometrium, to which the outer part of the embryo is attached.
It is the chorion that during all nine months is engaged in the synthesis of hCG for the development of the child and the support of a certain condition in the mother. After conception is achieved, progesterone, which is initially produced by the corpus luteum, becomes the main regulatory hormone in the female body. In order to ensure the functions of the last and continuous increase in the content of progesterone in the presence of pregnancy, a woman needs the hormone hCG.
Thus, it explains why the corpus luteum does not disappear during the period of bearing a baby, as it always happens with menstruation. The structure of the hormone in question is represented by units of beta and alpha. The last one is completelyis identical to a similar unit in some gonadotropic components, while the first is considered absolutely unique. This explains the features of the functions that hCG performs, and, in addition, the possibility of its detection in urine and blood. So, human chorionic gonadotropin performs the following main functions:
- Ensuring the normal adaptation of a pregnant woman to bearing a child.
- Support the corpus luteum and produce progesterone.
- Help the chorioneals form properly.
- Help increase the number of chorionic villi.
- Nourishing the villi.
Under the action of gonadotropin, the production of adrenal hormones increases, which allows the pregnant woman to adapt to a new state. Thanks to glucocorticoids, immune responses to the tissues of the developing fetus are suppressed (the fact is that at the genetic level, the conceived embryo is partly considered by the woman's body as a foreign body).
Drug list
The list of drugs containing hCG includes drugs called Horagon, Profazi, Gonacor, Pregnil, Puregon, Menogon and others. They are prescribed, as a rule, with one injection. Already a day after the introduction in the female body, ovulation begins to occur. In order for this or that medication to help well, exactly one day before the injection and after twenty-four hours after it, you need to have sex.
Dose form"Gonacora" - lyophilisate for the manufacture of a solution for intramuscular injection.
It is a hormonal drug excreted from the urine of pregnant women. It has a luteinizing and follicle-stimulating effect. It is indicated for hypofunction of the gonads (due to impaired activity of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus). Women with dysmenorrhea, ovarian dysfunction, anovulatory conditions.
"Pregnyl" can be found in the format of a lyophilisate for the manufacture of a solution for intramuscular injection. It is also considered a hormonal drug that is isolated from the urine of a pregnant woman. Has a luteinizing and follicle-stimulating effect.
It is prescribed for violation of the activity of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, as a result of which the functions of the gonads are reduced. Indicated for women suffering from dysmenorrhea, ovarian dysfunction.
Medications "Profazi" and "Horagon" are absolute analogues of the drugs described above. They are produced in the same format, their indications and pharmacological action are the same.
When used?
Chorionic gonadotropin is widely used parenterally instead of the well-known luteinizing hormone as a kind of ovulation inducer. In the case of the presence of one or several mature follicles in the ovary, ovulation can be induced by the administration of the hCG preparation. When this process is carried out between thirty-eighth and forty hours after injection, there may beplanned sexual intercourse. In addition, patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, as a rule, use hCG preparations to trigger ovulation processes. But against this background, recovery of oocytes can be observed in the period from thirty-four to thirty-six hours after injection.
Given that hCG supports the corpus luteum, the introduction of this hormone in certain circumstances is used to increase the production of progesterone in the body. For men, hCG preparations are used to stimulate the so-called Leydig cells, which form testosterone. Intratesticular testosterone is required for spermatogenesis. As a rule, hCG in men is used in case of hypogonadism and in the treatment of infertility. In the first few months of pregnancy, transmission of HIV from a woman to her fetus is rare. It is assumed that this becomes possible due to the high concentration of hCG. It is worth noting that the beta subunits of the hormone are active against the HIV virus.
Description of medicines
The level of hCG is not only an indicator for diagnostic studies, gonadotropin is treated for various diseases and is used as part of various drugs. As noted earlier, the most popular drugs containing hCG are the following: Horagon, Puregon, Menogon, along with Pregnil and Profazi. All of these drugs are obtained either using special organisms or by isolating components from the urine of pregnant women. Their main functions are the following actions:
- Performing stimulationovulation.
- Increasing the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of spermatozoa.
- Formation of sexual secondary characteristics.
- Increased production of sex hormones in the body.
To understand the effects and methods of using drugs that affect hCG, you need to read their instructions.
Indications for use
Women are prescribed these medicines for the following conditions:
- The presence of a malfunction in the functioning of the ovaries.
- Problems with the formation of the corpus luteum.
- Presence of dysmenorrhea.
- The emergence of the risk of abortion.
- Having infertility along with miscarriage.
To enhance the effect, human chorionic gonadotropin is often combined with various reproductive techniques.
Which HCG drug is better to choose, the doctor will tell you.
When is medicine given to men?
Such drugs can also be prescribed to males if they have the following abnormalities:
- No testicle descending into the scrotum.
- When there are no sperm in the ejaculate.
- In the presence of anomalies of the gonads.
- Against the background of the inhibition of the formation of sexuality.
- In the presence of adiposogenital dystrophy.
- In the presence of dwarfism.
Men are prescribed the use of the hormone and in the presence of certain genetic abnormalities.
We told you which drugs increase hCG. But are they all allowed to use?
Contraindications for use
According to the instructions, hCG preparations are forbidden to be used if the patient has the following pathologies and conditions:
- In the presence of neoplasms in the gonads.
- On the background of thrombophlebitis.
- With hypofunction of the adrenal glands.
- Against the background of hypothyroidism.
- During breastfeeding periods.
With great care, such drugs are prescribed to patients in adolescence, and, in addition, to patients suffering from the following disorders:
- The appearance of a malfunction of the kidneys.
- Occurrence of cardiac ischemia.
- If you have arterial hypertension.
In this regard, it is required to inform the attending doctor about the presence of certain pathologies and diseases before starting therapy.
Side effects
Chorionic gonadotropin in the format of drugs in some cases can cause the following undesirable diseases in patients: ascites along with the development of cysts, thromboembolism and hydrothorax. These phenomena are mainly due to ovarian hyperstimulation, observed in rare cases with the use of drugs.
In males, the following adverse reactions may occur with an injection of hCG preparation: prostate enlargement and breast growth along with water retention and acne on the skin. Boys may experience a behavioral change that is characteristic of the initial stage of puberty. It is important to note that these features are onlytemporary and will certainly disappear on their own immediately after completion of therapy.
Doses and use of drugs
Chorionic gonadotropin is produced in powder format, to which a solvent is applied in the package. It is administered through intramuscular injections. Preparations with hCG are produced in the following variations: 1000 units, and, in addition, 1500, 5000 and 10000 each. The dosage and duration of the course of treatment are determined by the doctor for each individual case. However, there are standard dosages that are applied in the following way:
- As part of maintaining the corpus luteum, doctors prescribe 1500 units or 5000 units of hCG.
- In the event that ovulation is stimulated, use, as a rule, 5000 or 10000 units once.
- If there is a risk of miscarriage, initially use a dose of 10,000 units, and then 5,000 twice every seven days.
- In order to maintain the pregnancy, initially a dose of 10,000 hCG is prescribed, and then 5,000.
- In the treatment of disorders in sexual development in men, injections are given for three months at a dosage of 5000 units for each week.
It should not be forgotten that improper use of the drug can cause extremely serious complications. Next, let's look at the comments that people leave on the Internet about the use of drugs based on hCG, and find out how they respond about them.
Reviews
About such hCG medicines fromlist, as "Puregon" and "Menogon" women write that they actually help to solve a number of problems. For example, reviews report that "Horagon" shows itself well in the presence of a malfunction in the functioning of the ovaries, and, in addition, against the background of problems in patients with the formation of a corpus luteum.
About the medicine "Gonakor" it is said that it helps perfectly in case of dysmenorrhea, as well as in cases where there is a risk of abortion.
Unfortunately, some complaints about these medicines can be read online. For example, it is said that their reception is not complete without the occurrence of side effects. So, when using them, ascites may appear along with the development of cysts, thromboembolism and hydrothorax. Otherwise, in the comments, hCG-based drugs are praised by consumers.
Thus, in the human body, human gonadotropin is a hormone produced by a component of a fertilized egg, namely the syncytiotrophoblast. Immediately after implantation to the uterine wall, hCG stimulates the further development of the placenta. But you need to know that this hormone is produced in the human body and in the presence of cancer in women or men, regardless of gender. In this regard, in medicine, an analysis for hCG is also used to diagnose oncology. The question of whether hCG is one of the causes or a consequence of cancer is still open today. Therefore, some countries prohibit the over-the-counter sale of dietary and homeopathic medicines withcontent of this hormone.
