Today, many women are interested in reviews of Visanne for endometriosis, because... this is one of the most used drugs in the complex treatment of pathologies, which are among the most common. Almost all patients know that this disease is hormone-dependent, therefore, treatment should be aimed at correcting hormonal levels, and this causes serious concern among women. Most often, it is for this reason that many of them do not start the course on time. Meanwhile, we should not forget that any pathological process entails its consequences and complications, so instead of putting off the medicine and doubting, you need to understand what it is, how it works and how it can help you.
What is endometriosis in general?
First, you should take a little time to understand what endometriosis is. This is a fairly common disease in women of childbearing age, most often between 26 and 40 years old.
Pathology manifests itself as the growth of the endometrium where by nature it should not exist. This layer is the mucous membrane of the uterus, which should line only the organ cavity from the inside, without leaving its limits. The structure of the mucous membrane is very complex, and it reacts quite clearly to all hormonal changes affecting the organs of the reproductive system. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium, along with the active production of estrogen, thickens, because The uterus is preparing to receive a fertilized egg, for which it creates the appropriate environment. If pregnancy does not occur, then particles of the overgrown tissue are removed from the body during menstruation.
Endometriosis is a fairly common disease in women of childbearing age.
It happens that fragments of the endometrium emerging from the uterus become attached to other tissues, for example, on the cervix of the organ, ovary, fallopian tube, and sometimes outside the reproductive system (in the abdominal cavity, on the kidneys). Cells continue to divide, and at the same time, do not lose their hormonal dependence, i.e. grow under the influence of estradiol and are destroyed with increased synthesis of progesterone, separate during menstruation and bleed. Their further increase leads to the formation of adhesions that interfere with reproductive function.
Having understood the mechanism of development of the disease, there remains no doubt that treatment is impossible without normalizing hormonal levels, and it is for these purposes that the drug “Visanne” was developed.
"Norkolut"
Is there a cheaper analogue of “Visanne”? According to reviews, it is known that Norkolut is an inexpensive substitute. The medication belongs to gestagen-containing drugs and is widely used in gynecology. Each tablet contains 5 milligrams of the active substance – norethisterone. Tablets are prescribed to people to eliminate the following conditions:
- Premenstrual syndrome.
- Bleeding.
- Anovulatory cycle (monophasic menstrual cycle, characterized by the absence of ovulation and the development phase of the corpus luteum while maintaining the regularity and rhythm of uterine bleeding).
- Proliferation of the uterine mucosa beyond its boundaries.
- Lack of menstruation.
- Uterine fibroids (a benign tumor that occurs in the muscular layer of the uterus - the myometrium).
- The medication is prescribed to suppress milk production in nursing mothers.
- Mastopathy (a benign disease of the mammary gland, characterized by pathological growth of its tissue, pain, and sometimes pathological secretion).
Before treatment with medication, a person must undergo a comprehensive examination to rule out oncology. It is recommended to consult a gynecologist, as well as a mammologist and oncologist before therapy.
The tablet should be taken at the same time of the day; if for some reason the patient forgot to take the medicine, then this should be done as quickly as possible, without doubling the dosage.
The drug does not have a suppressive effect on the functioning of the central nervous system, so during therapy you can continue to drive a car and equipment that requires increased attention. The cost of the medicine ranges from 100 to 250 rubles.
The main bioactive component of the drug
Dienogest is a bioactive component of the drug "Visanne"
The main bioactive component of the drug called “Visanne” was micronized dienogest. It is a unique derivative of 19-nortestosterone, and of all other drugs in this class it has the highest antiandrogenic activity, without having a negative effect on lipid metabolism. This component (progestin) acts directly on progesterone receptors and has neither glucocorticoid activity nor mineralocorticoid effect.
Dienogest first begins to moderately block the secretion of gonadotropins, then inhibits the process of endogenous estrogen production and the supply of this hormone to the ectopic endometrium. Thus, it is possible to suppress the growth of blood vessels in the foci of mucous membranes that have grown outside the uterus, feeding the cells and ensuring their vital functions. At the same time, the active substance is characterized by an anovulatory effect, therefore, when taking Visanne for endometriosis, pregnancy does not occur. The menstrual cycle and ovulatory process are restored two months after stopping the course of treatment.
Carefully! This drug has not been studied separately for contraceptive properties, so it is recommended not to ignore other forms of contraceptive protection (such as condoms).
The effect of the drug on the body
The drug "Visanne" contains dienogest, an active ingredient that effectively prevents the development of the disease. This happens as follows:
- The growth of the pathology stops;
- Normalization of hormonal functioning by suppressing the production of excess estrogen inside a woman’s body;
- Relieves depletion of the circulatory system, allowing you to normalize the nutrition of endometriotic tissue;
- Elimination of inflammation inside the uterine cavity;
- Reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced, which are provocateurs of pain inside the uterine cavity.
Many doctors recommend drinking Visanne, since treatment with this drug does not affect the egg, which allows the female body to maintain the possibility of conceiving a child. This is the main advantage of Visanne and distinguishes this remedy from other medicines. And, according to many experts, after endometriosis has been treated with this drug, conception is more likely than before the start of the course.
Dosage form and components included in the drug
Components included in the composition of the drug "Visanne"
The drug Visanne, which has received fairly good reviews for the treatment of endometriosis, is produced in the form of round white tablets with a flat surface and packaged in blisters. In addition to the dienogest noted above, one tablet contains:
- lactose monohydrate;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- potato starch;
- povidone K and crospovidone;
- magnesium stearate (a chemical compound obtained after combining Mg with stearic acid);
- talc.
Contraindications
The drug cannot be used for a number of actively progressing diseases during progestogen treatment. These include:
- acute form of thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism of deep and peripheral veins;
- liver tumors of various levels of differentiation (including benign) in history or at the beginning of treatment;
- diabetes mellitus, which is complicated by vascular disorders;
- identified malignant hormone-dependent neoplasms or carrying out clarifying studies in this case;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels of atherosclerotic origin, ischemic defects (in history or currently);
- bleeding from the vagina of unknown origin;
- cholestatic jaundice in the past or during pregnancy;
- excessive sensitivity to the active or excipients of the drug (dienogest, talc, lactose, crospovidone, potato starch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose).
In case of severe liver pathologies, including medical history, the drug should be prescribed carefully and only after examining samples of the organ.
In what cases is Visanne prescribed to patients?
The drug has only one indication for use - it is designed specifically for the treatment of endometriosis and helps relieve a woman of the main signs of the disease:
- the appearance of pelvic pain of a cyclic nature, which, with an advanced pathological process, can be almost permanent. Pelvic pain can not only be felt in the lower abdomen, but radiate to the lumbar region or thigh;
- an increase in the duration of menstrual bleeding (heavy discharge, can last longer than a week), which is also painful (pain appears before menstruation, can be very intense, and subsides after the start of the cycle);
- manifestation of dyspareunia (pain that occurs during sexual intercourse);
- the occurrence of problems with conception (with this pathology, many women develop infertility);
- the appearance of pain when urinating or defecating (this can occur if the pathological process spreads outside the organs of the reproductive system).
Which is better - Visanne or Janine
It is impossible to answer this question; the actions of the drugs vary, and the effectiveness of their use is determined for each woman individually.
Difficulties may arise when using one or the other, so consultation with your doctor before using hormonal pills is considered mandatory.
But judging by the opinions of some experts, Visanne is considered a more effective remedy, but the price often deters women from buying these pills.
"Janine" is a cheaper analogue of "Visanne", but only experts can discuss the effectiveness of these pills.
Advantages and disadvantages noted from taking this medicine
Having analyzed the reviews of patients about the drug "Visanne" for endometriosis, we can deduce a number of its obvious advantages and some disadvantages. Among the advantages are noted:
- the ability to effectively eliminate symptoms of the disease associated with pain (premenstrual, pelvic, during sexual intercourse);
- fairly good tolerability of the drug;
- maintaining the analgesic effect for a sufficiently long period of time;
- weak tendency to provoke menopausal symptoms (eg, hot flashes), which are usually caused by drugs with anovulatory effects.
Increased headaches are a rare side effect when taking the drug.
Among the positive reviews from doctors about Visanne for endometriosis, the above-listed advantages include the ability of the drug to noticeably and significantly reduce the volume of endometriosis lesions, the absence of a negative effect on the level of lipids and androgenic activity (in other words, filling the female body with male sex hormones).
Among the shortcomings that women often describe on forums are the following:
- the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding. They are irregular, over time (in the process of further treatment) their intensity decreases;
- increased frequency of headache attacks;
- increase in body weight (this symptom is observed infrequently, and here we are not talking about the development of obesity, there may simply be a slight increase in weight within 2-3 kg).
Reviews about Visanne
Many reviews of Visanne show that a woman’s body actively reacts to the use of this drug. Almost all reports talk about some kind of undesirable effect. For example:
— I had mood swings and decreased libido. I didn’t gain weight – I even became slimmer. Nothing hurt.
— I’ve been taking Visanne for two months now. There are almost all side effects, except, perhaps, alopecia and acne. It hurts in the lower abdomen, the intestines work strangely, headaches, insomnia, and the chest also hurts.
— I started having chest pains after a course of Visanne. And my periods came very painfully, just like in my youth.
Treatment with Visanne is often prescribed to normalize a woman’s reproductive system before she becomes pregnant. Here's what patients write:
— The doctor said that for now we need to take extra precautions so as not to get pregnant during treatment. If you do become pregnant, stop drinking Visanne immediately and run to the doctor.
— They cleaned out my overgrown endometrium. They told me to drink Visanne and be careful. After this, you can plan your pregnancy.
— After three months of Vizanne, I had an ultrasound and the doctor said that the endometrium had returned to normal.
It is obvious that Visanne and similar hormonal drugs are necessary for the correction of pathologies in the female sphere. Of course, they often cause side effects. But this is the minimum evil that one has to agree with for the sake of the possibility of motherhood. Even for those who are not planning to give birth, maintaining women's health is a very important task.
Features of the prescription of the drug "Visanne" and contraindications for use
If you have diabetes, Visanne is contraindicated.
The prescription of a drug is carried out only on the basis of a complete diagnosis, which confirms the diagnosis of the development of endometriosis and identifies other pathologies that are incomparable with taking this hormonal drug. Instructions for use for endometriosis "Visanne" do not recommend its use for:
- acute thrombophlebitis;
- breast cancer;
- diabetes mellitus accompanied by vascular complications;
- severe liver diseases;
- uterine bleeding of unknown origin;
- atherosclerosis;
- development of tumor diseases (both malignant and benign, if the process is currently progressing).
These tablets are not prescribed to girls under 18 years of age. A treatment program with this drug is selected with great care for women who have previously suffered a stroke, myocardial infarction, as well as for patients with heart failure.
Taking into account the described list of contraindications, the medicine is prescribed strictly after a complete diagnosis, including a gynecological examination with bimanual vaginal examination, smear cytology, laboratory analysis of smear and blood, and ultrasound of the pelvic organs. If certain suspicions arise, the doctor may prescribe a mammogram.
Indications for use
The main indication for the use of the drug is endometrioid disease (endometriosis) at various stages of one location or another. The use of dienogest is especially effective when the epithelium grows in the ovaries and uterus.
The treatment course with Visanne tablets lasts about six months. The medicine is taken regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle: during menstruation, therapy does not stop, breaks are not provided, unlike many hormonal drugs. Continuity of influence enhances the effectiveness of Visanne.
The drug must be taken every day, for this purpose it is better to set a specific time and then adhere to equal intervals between doses. It is recommended to drink it with plenty of mineral or pure still water.
How treatment is carried out using the drug, dosage regimen and some features
Some time ago, doctors adhered to the principle that the development of this pathological process requires removal of the uterus. Today, the view on the treatment of the disease has changed dramatically and has become based on gentle, organ-preserving techniques, which allow women to fully return to normal life after therapy and experience the joy of motherhood. To eliminate endometriosis, you can choose:
- conservative treatment method (based on medication);
- surgical intervention;
- combination therapy (combination of the two methods mentioned above).
Conservative method of treatment is a valid method of treatment
Good reviews of Visanne for endometriosis can be found both as a separate treatment and as part of a combined treatment program. The most effective result can be achieved if you carry out a course of hormone therapy, thus stopping the development of the process (the main active component inhibits the production of estrogen by the ovaries, leading to the growth of the endometrium), and then, using surgical intervention, remove endometriosis lesions. Also, the appointment of this drug after laparoscopy serves as a prevention of relapse of the pathology.
annotation
The tablets are taken orally, regardless of food, with water. Take 1 tablet per day, preferably at the same time. The treatment regimen for endometriosis with Visanne involves taking the medication daily, regardless of the day of the menstrual cycle.
The duration of therapy is usually six months. If you accidentally miss a pill, take the next pill as soon as possible. Then the use of the medication continues according to the same scheme and at the same time as before the omission. If vomiting occurs within twenty minutes after taking the drug, the medication should be taken again.
What side effects may accompany a course of hormone therapy?
Many reviews of Visanne for endometriosis contain descriptions of side effects that may accompany the course of therapy. There are not many of them, because in most cases, the medicine is well tolerated, without unpleasant effects. Most often, side effects appear at the beginning of treatment, and there are cases of quite intense manifestation of some of them, but with further use the patient’s condition stabilizes and gradually the unpleasant side effects disappear. Among these manifestations are noted:
- headaches, migraine attacks;
- soreness in the mammary glands;
- increased acne;
- the occurrence of bleeding during the intermenstrual period;
- nausea;
- sleep disorders;
- decreased libido;
- irritability and sudden mood swings;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- increased fatigue;
- weight gain.
Pain in the mammary glands - may be accompanied by a course of therapy
The essence of endometriosis
A disease such as endometriosis refers to the pathological growth of the internal uterine lining (endometrium) and the further spread of tissue outside the organ. Fragments of the endometrium of the uterus, penetrating into other organs, continue to grow and undergo cyclic changes under the influence of sex hormones. The lining cells, increasing in volume, stretch the inflamed organ and cause bleeding and pain.
Symptoms and prognosis for the development of pathology are determined by the location of endometrial cells: for example, endometriosis in the genital area can disrupt the menstrual cycle, cysts will appear in the ovaries and infertility may occur due to inflammation of the fallopian tubes and gonads.
In addition to pain and other unpleasant symptoms and suspected infertility, the disease increases the likelihood of developing certain types of ovarian cancer. Experts suggest that growing uterine epithelial cells can become malignant, that is, become malignant.
But at the same time, the epithelial lining, spreading, retains the ability to obey hormonal “signals”. This means that the rate at which endometrial cells spread can be controlled by reducing the amount of estrogen, the hormone that affects them. For therapeutic purposes in endometriosis, antigonadotropic drugs are used that reduce the production of hormones that regulate the functioning of the glands of the reproductive system (Danazol), gestagens (Norethisterone, Progesterone, Gestrinone, etc.), gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists ( "Triptorelin", "Goserelin").