Collagen injections are a fun village. Beauty collagen injections. What effect will collagen injections have and how long will it last

In order for sexual intercourse to give rise to a new life, the sperm must meet with the egg. Its maturation is a complex multi-stage process that ends with ovulation - the exit from the ovary into the cavity of the fallopian tube. In a healthy female body, this happens monthly. Each new cycle is a new egg. But there are a number of complications in which ovulation does not occur. In this case, Gonal stimulation comes to the rescue.

A woman may not even be aware of this dysfunction - regular periods, well-being is normal. Doubts begin to creep in only after several unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant. Therefore, every couple planning a replenishment in the family should remember: if during the year unprotected sex did not give the desired results, this is a reason to seek the help of specialists. If it turns out that the reason is the absence of an egg, this is not a reason to talk about childlessness - ovulation can be stimulated with hormonal drugs (for example, Gonalom-F).

To prescribe stimulation with Gonal, you need a good reason. The schedule that a woman keeps, trying to determine the very time X, is not one. A blood test for hormones, carried out once, also cannot be considered a reliable source of information - there are many factors that cause short-term disturbances in the hormonal background.

A great way to figure out what's what is an ultrasound examination of the ovaries. But a woman should understand that no doctor can determine the reason for the lack of ovulation by one ultrasound. For one monthly cycle, it will be necessary to go through several studies in order to track the development of the follicle and see at which stage the failure occurs. Such observations should be carried out not for one month, but for at least two or three cycles in a row, and only after that a hormonal drug should be prescribed.

Examinations before stimulation

Check (most often by laparoscopy). If obstruction is detected, it is pointless to stimulate ovulation.
Determination of the level and luteinizing hormones, prolactin, androgens (male hormones), thyroid hormones - surrender at the beginning of the cycle.
Ultrasound research. With a standard cycle of 28 days, the first ultrasound is prescribed a week after the end last menstrual period, then - every 2-3 days until it is established at what stage the maturation of the egg is stopped.

According to the results of observation, the reasons for the lack of ovulation can be as follows:

Option 1 - the ovaries do not function at all, the follicles (capsules in which the eggs grow) do not even begin to develop;
Option 2 - follicles develop, one of them becomes dominant, but at some point it stops growing and regresses (in this case, a blood test will show a lack of progesterone);
Option 3 - the dominant follicle does not grow to the desired size and is luteinized, while forming a corpus luteum (in this case, a woman may not be aware of the absence of ovulation for a long time, since monthly bleeding is constant and cyclic, the level of progesterone is normal);
Option 4 - the egg develops normally and grows to the required size, but cannot leave the ovary (the follicle does not break). Then it either regresses or develops into a cyst.

Stimulation of ovulation with Gonal or another hormonal drug prescribed by a doctor makes sense only in the first three cases. If the problem occurs at the last stage, when the cell has already matured, it may be enough just to give an injection of hCG (chorionic gonadropin) in time to help the follicle rupture.

Note! Before starting to stimulate ovulation in a woman, the future dad will also have to undergo an examination. The spermogram will determine if the sperm is suitable for conception and if the couple's biological materials are compatible.

How does Gonal-F work?

Gonal-F is one of the most powerful hormonal stimulants you can find in the pharmacy chain. That is why pharmacists release it strictly by prescription - indications for use are limited to a very narrow range of pathologies:

defective or absent ovulation;
multiple ovarian cysts ();
a decrease in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, which causes a deficiency of sex hormones;
scanty menstrual bleeding or their absence at a young age.

Gonal-F, as a potent drug, is used to stimulate ovulation when planning in vitro fertilization, when it is necessary to “squeeze” as many viable eggs from the ovaries as possible at a time. It promotes the growth of not one, but several dominant follicles at once, which subsequently increases the chances of a couple to become pregnant several times over.

The task of the drug is to compensate for the lack of follicle-stimulating hormone (hereinafter FG). In a healthy body, the brain, or rather the anterior zone of the pituitary gland, is responsible for the production of FG. By releasing follicle-stimulating hormone into the blood, the brain instructs the reproductive system to start the mechanism of egg growth, while producing two other hormones - progesterone and estrogen. Obviously, the lack of FG is immediately reflected in their number. Carefully weighed by nature itself, the hormonal system of a woman is out of balance and begins to throw unpleasant surprises, one of them is anovulation.

But, fortunately, genetic engineering does not stand still, and today hormonal compounds can be obtained by artificial synthesis. The main active ingredient of Gonal is a recombinant (produced with the help of geneticists) pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin alfa). This is a drug of a very high degree of purification, therefore it acts on the female body in the same way as “its own” hormone.

Correct application of Gonal is capable of:

stimulate the growth of follicles in the ovaries;
establish a regular ovulatory cycle;
provoke the growth and differentiation of the endometrium so that an already fertilized egg can securely attach to the wall of the uterus;
get rid of menstrual disorders caused by hormonal deficiency;
increase the amount of "female" hormones (progesterone and estrogen).

The end result of therapy is the restoration of hormonal balance and, as a result, the ability of the ovaries to produce eggs. If the attending physician spared no time and effort for a long preliminary examination, correctly identified the cause of the problem and selected the correct dose of the drug, then the woman has every chance of becoming pregnant after the first course of treatment.

Stimulation by the gonal in the natural cycle

Gonal-F is available in two forms - in the form of powder ampoules, which must be diluted with saline before injection, and in the form of special syringe pens, which contain a ready-made solution of the required concentration.

Ampoules are presented in dosages of 75 IU (5.5 mcg) and 150 IU (11 mcg). The amount of solution that needs to be administered at a time depends on the daily dose of follitropin prescribed by the doctor and the amount of saline used to dilute the powder. All these figures must be indicated by the doctor.

A syringe pen in this sense is much more convenient - it has a scale and a dispenser that measures the desired dose. Taking into account the individual hormone needs of each woman, the pen is also available in several dosages:

300 IU (which equals 22 mcg or 0.5 ml);
450 IU (33 mcg or 0.75 ml);
900 IU (66 mcg or 1.5 ml).

The drug is injected subcutaneously and the procedure is absolutely painless. A woman can even inject the right dose of Gonal with a syringe pen on her own. Here is what is needed for this:

thoroughly wash and treat hands with an antiseptic;
remove the cap from the syringe pen, set the desired dose, attach the needle;
disinfect the injection site;
pierce the skin with a needle at a right angle (the needles in the syringe pen kit are very short and thin - the injection is practically not felt);
press the start button and enter the solution;
carefully remove the needle and apply a sterile cotton swab to the puncture site.

Dosage of the drug on different days of the cycle

As already mentioned, the dosage of Gonal is determined by the doctor. The standard stimulation scheme looks something like this:

the first week of the menstrual cycle - a daily dose of 75 to 150 IU;
the second week - the same dose;
the third week - with natural ovulation, the level of FG during this period increases. When stimulating this moment, it is necessary to take into account and increase the daily dose, but slightly, somewhere by 37.5 - 75 IU. Thus, in no case should the daily amount of Gonal administered exceed 225 IU, otherwise there may be a serious risk of hyperstimulation, which is fraught with the occurrence of cysts or even rupture of the ovary.

The average duration of ovulation stimulation with Gonal is 28-30 days. All this time, the processes occurring in the patient's ovaries are monitored by ultrasound. The first ultrasound is prescribed a few days after the first injection of the drug. Then you will need to visit the uzist's office every 2-3 days, so as not to miss the moment when the follicles reach the required size. On average, the dominant follicle before ovulation should increase to 20-25 mm.

If everything goes according to plan and the doctor sees all the necessary clinical and ultrasound signs of imminent ovulation, the woman will be prescribed an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The dosage is again strictly individual, in the range between 5000 and 10000 IU. This injection is needed to help the follicle rupture and release the egg. If you miss this moment and do not inject hCG, the follicle may begin to regress and turn into a cyst.

Ovulation occurs about a day and a half after the injection. This fact should be confirmed by another ultrasound examination. Now is the best time to conceive. With a good spermogram partner, problems should not arise. It is optimal if sexual intercourse occurs within 24-32 hours.

Immediately after ovulation, the doctor may prescribe a few more progesterone injections (the most popular drug is). Normally, this hormone should be produced by the corpus luteum - a gland that forms at the site of a burst follicle. But, in order to insure the ovaries and provide the egg with favorable conditions in the uterus, progesterone is also introduced from the outside.

Contraindications and possible side effects

Like any potent medicine, Gonal has some contraindications. So, additional infusions of follicle-stimulating hormone into the blood are prohibited when:

the presence of large follicular cysts in the ovaries;
sudden uterine bleeding of unknown etiology;
malignant tumors in the uterus or ovaries;
cancer and precancerous conditions of the mammary glands;
brain tumors in the hypothalamic-pituitary region;
obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

It is not for nothing that the need for a thorough preliminary examination has been emphasized so many times. If it turns out that there are obviously no primordial follicles in the woman’s ovaries (these are the “embryos” of future eggs that are formed in the woman’s body even when she is in the womb), then any stimulation is useless and even harmful.

Having decided on stimulation, you need to know that Gonal-F can cause individual intolerance. Most often, it is manifested by reactions of a general nature: headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, sharp jumps in blood pressure and body temperature. Allergic skin rashes are possible.

But, despite this, Gonal was and remains "heavy artillery", thanks to which many women managed to finally know the joy of motherhood. If the first stimulated ovulation is not successful, this is not a reason to despair. On the contrary, according to the observations of doctors, pregnancy most often occurs a few months after the course, which serves as a kind of “alarm clock” for the body and normalizes natural processes.

Unfortunately, many people today are faced with such a problem as infertility. And sometimes, in order to improve the reproductive functions of the body, it is necessary to take special medicines. In modern medicine, a drug such as Gonal-F is often used. Reviews and results recorded during the trials indicate that this medicine really helps with fertilization.

Of course, patients faced with the need for this kind of stimulation are interested in additional information. What is a drug? How does Gonal-F affect the body? Reviews and results, contraindications and possible complications All of these questions are worth considering.

Description of the composition and form of release

This drug is available in the form of a solution that is used for subcutaneous injections. The drug is placed in a convenient syringe with a volume of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 ml. The kit also comes with disposable needles and a convenient storage container.

The main active ingredient of the drug is follitropin alfa, a hormonal substance. In addition, some auxiliary agents are used in the production, in particular sodium diphosphate and monohydrate diphosphate, sucrose, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, methionine and M-cresol. The basis of the solution is sterile water. Store the drug in the refrigerator (at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius).

In addition, they also produce a lyophilizate intended for self-preparation of a solution. The drug is placed in a glass vial.

What properties does the drug have?

Often, for one reason or another, patients are faced with the need to take the drug "Gonal-F". Instructions for use, reviews, indications - this, of course, important information. But first, it is worth understanding its pharmacological properties.

Alpha-follitropin is a recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone that promotes the development and maturation of follicles. This substance is created in the laboratory on the basis of cell cultures of Chinese hamster ovaries.

It should be noted that follitropin ensures the maturation of several follicles at the same time, which is simply necessary during in vitro fertilization or during other reproductive procedures. By the way, this component of the drug is able to activate the synthesis of steroid hormones. This is a new generation drug - during research, scientists managed to reduce the risk of developing such a pathology as hyperstimulation syndrome (the use of drugs of previous generations is associated with this).

Indications for the use of the drug

In what cases are patients prescribed the drug "Gonal-F"? Its use is effective in the following situations:

anovulation treatment;
the need for ovulatory hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilization;
stimulation of ovulation in severe forms of deficiency of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone;
stimulation of spermatogenesis in the presence of hypogonadotropic gonadism in a patient.

The drug "Gonal-F": instructions for use

Immediately it should be said that these drugs can be used only after a complete diagnosis, while it is extremely important to follow the doctor's instructions. The specialist individually selects the dosage and determines the duration of stimulation. The official instructions contain only general information.

The solution is intended for subcutaneous administration. A convenient syringe in which the medicine is placed allows you to set the exact dose. The kit comes with sterile disposable needles - a new needle must be used during each injection. Of course, do not forget about skin disinfection (alcohol is used for this purpose). The procedure must be carried out at the same time. As a rule, the doctor himself makes the injection, although sometimes the specialist allows the patient to independently conduct stimulation.

The dosage depends on the problem that the medicine is trying to solve.

With anovulation, the daily dose is 75-150 IU of follitropin. The course of treatment lasts 7 days, and this should be the first week of the monthly cycle. Stimulation is carried out in a hospital - with the help of ultrasound equipment, a specialist can track the positive dynamics of therapy. The treatment regimen, as a rule, includes the introduction of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin.
If the goal of therapy is controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, then patients are administered 150-225 IU of the active component of the solution. Treatment begins on the second or third day of the cycle. Sometimes the daily dose can be increased to 450 IU. The course lasts until the follicles reach the desired size (as a rule, it takes about 10 days).
When it comes to ovarian stimulation with a pronounced deficiency of FSH and LH, then patients are administered 75-150 IU per day. Every two weeks, the dosage is increased by 37.5-75 IU.
To stimulate the processes of spermatogenesis, patients are administered 150 IU three times a week. Therapy in this case lasts at least four months (sometimes even more than a year).

Are there contraindications?

Can all patients be prescribed Gonal-F? The instruction contains information that there are some restrictions on the therapy:

ovarian insufficiency (primary form of pathology);
period of pregnancy;
tumors affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
oncological diseases of the ovaries;
ovarian cyst;
premature menopause;
abnormal changes in the anatomy of the genital organs, in which the onset of pregnancy is impossible;
uterine fibromyoma (if the pathology is incompatible with pregnancy);
the presence of uterine bleeding of unknown origin;
mammary cancer;
primary testicular failure.

Possible adverse reactions

Is therapy with Gonal-F safe? Reviews of doctors indicate that the drug in most cases is very well tolerated. On the other hand, complications against the background of stimulation are still possible, and it is worth familiarizing yourself with their list.

Some patients experience local reactions, in particular slight redness and swelling at the injection site.
Possible violations of the reproductive system. Women sometimes experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, cyst formation, ectopic pregnancy. Rarely recorded ovarian apoplexy.
In men, gynecomastia, varicocele is sometimes observed.
Sometimes there are disorders in the digestive system. Patients complain of nausea, rumbling in the abdomen, pain, frequent belching, heartburn.
Possible reactions from of cardio-vascular system. In the most severe cases, therapy leads to myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, pulmonary embolism (associated with increased blood clotting).
Some patients experience allergic reactions, which are accompanied by the appearance of skin rashes, itching, redness, swelling. Anaphylactic conditions are recorded extremely rarely, although the possibility of their development is not excluded.
In people with asthma, this medicine may cause an exacerbation.
Among others side effects include weight gain, arthralgia, fever.

If you notice any symptoms or complications, you should inform your doctor about it.

How much does the drug cost?

For many patients, doctors prescribe the drug "Gonal-F". Feedback and results are definitely important. Nevertheless, the cost of the drug is also a significant factor. In this case, the price depends on the concentration of active substances in the solution. The cost of one dose of the drug ranges from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. Of course, you will need more than one package to complete the full course of stimulation.

Medicine analogs

What should be done to patients who are not suitable for Gonal-F stimulation? Reviews and results confirm that this medicine really helps, but, alas, its use is not possible in all cases. The modern pharmacological market offers a large selection of such drugs. For example, to stimulate ovulatory processes, such means as Bravel, Menogon, Luveris are often used. The list of substitutes also includes "Ovitrel", "Merional", "Pregnil". Of course, only the attending physician has the right to choose an analogue. Unauthorized use of such strong drugs is fraught with dangerous complications.

The drug "Gonal-F": reviews and results

Before using, be sure to read the official instructions. However, patients are interested in other information about the drug "Gonal-F" (75) - reviews and results, which are no less important.

Doctors say that the drug really helps to achieve the maturation of the follicles, which is an integral part of the in vitro fertilization process. Despite the impressive list of possible side effects, in reality, the drug rarely causes any serious complications especially when used correctly. Patients claim that the injections are practically painless. As for the disadvantages, we can only mention the high price - some stimulant drugs are much cheaper. On the other hand, the results of therapy are usually much better.

Collagen injections have been successfully used in cosmetology for a long time. Wrinkles and folds of sagging skin are signs of a deficiency of collagen, the main building material of the dermis. To fill its deficiency is possible only through injections.

The role of collagen

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body, making up about 80% of the skin. Intertwined fibers of this protein make up a strong frame of the skin, making it even and elastic. By about 30 years, its production decreases by 2 times. With age, under the influence of external environmental factors, as well as smoking, facial expressions, the structure of the dermis acquires microvoids. So wrinkles appear, ptosis of facial tissues begins. Creams act superficially and are unable to replenish collagen reserves. This is due to the fact that protein fibers are located deeper, at the level of the middle layer of the skin. Only a needle can deliver collagen there. There is not only a replacement and replenishment of damaged collagen fibers, but also the formation of new ones.

Types of drugs

Collagen preparations equally act against skin imperfections, differing only in the method of obtaining:

Animal (Ziderm, Ziplast), obtained from the skin of ruminants, in particular bulls. It is a white creamy paste saline solution. Despite the high degree of purification, it can cause an allergic reaction, manifested by swelling and redness. Therefore, a four-week test is preliminarily carried out at the site of the forearm.
Human collagen (Kosmoderm, Kosmoplast and others) produced by human cells. The most optimal, but difficult to obtain.
Combined (Artefill), containing a microspherical form of polymethyl methacrylate in bovine collagen, to which lidocaine is added.

Biogels based on human collagen have several varieties:

Cymetra is a gel obtained from cured cadaver skin. Donor collagen does not cause allergies, it has a long-lasting effect.
Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast - the fillers contain human collagen with lidocaine, which facilitates its introduction. The effect lasts about 6 months.
Dermogen is collagen specially processed to a gel consistency, obtained from a special skin bank. Has a long duration.
Autologen - collagen isolated from specially treated patient's own skin. The most expensive type. This is a person's own tissue, so there is no rejection. The effect lasts up to 9 months.
Isologen - specially grown in the laboratory fibroblasts, which are taken from the patient's own tissue. They have the property of activating the synthesis of collagen fibers in the skin. They have an unlimited duration, while being subject to aging.

Indications

Any area of the body with imperfections can be treated with collagen injections. Collagen injections for the face help to get rid of wrinkles in one procedure. Beauty injections are carried out by dermatologists, plastic surgeons. The reasons for prescribing filler injections are the following factors:

not deep wrinkles;
insufficient volume of lips, cheekbones;
wrinkles around the eyes, folds on the lower eyelid;
nasolabial folds, wrinkles around the mouth;
wrong shape of the chin;
post-acne;
stretch marks, scars, scars;
relief of the skin.

Procedure

To achieve the best results, different levels dermis, different concentrations of the collagen solution are used. Cyderm I has the lowest concentration and is injected shallowly, allowing you to smooth out small wrinkles. Cyderm II is a more saturated solution designed to act on the deeper layers of the skin. With its help, deep wrinkles and signs of post-acne are removed. Cyplast is a highly concentrated collagen solution that penetrates into the deepest layers of the dermis. It is usually used first, after which weaker concentrates are used to smooth the surface layers of the dermis.

One month before the procedure, an allergy test is performed. Two weeks later, a second injection is made into the arm. About 3% of people experience a negative reaction to collagen. In the absence of skin irritation, a session can be carried out. Before the start of the operation, local anesthesia with EMLA cream is done. In addition, an anesthetic (0.3% lidocaine solution) is a component of the drug injection.

The duration of the process, the number of injections depend on the area of impact, the characteristics of the skin. To get rid of wrinkles, a single procedure is usually enough. Scars, stretch marks, scars will require a second session. Usually the session takes about 20 minutes, but no more than an hour. The consequences of the procedure can be manifested in the form of slight edema, hyperemia, and a small rash on the skin may appear. There is also a feeling of soreness throughout the day. Usually all the effects disappear within a week. Then one can observe maximum result from the injections. But immediately after the session, the skin is noticeably smoothed, toned, rejuvenated. After 3-6 months, you will have to repeat the procedure, the duration of the anti-aging effect also depends on the type of drug chosen.

Contraindications

As with the introduction of any fillers, the procedure of collagen injections has some contraindications:

pregnancy, lactation;
poor blood clotting;
oncology;
allergy to animal collagen, lidocaine;
inflammatory processes at the treatment sites;
the presence of chronic, acute diseases;
a short period after dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling.

Consequences and effectiveness of the procedure

The first stage of therapy usually contains one to three sessions. If there is a need for additional sessions, then the interval between procedures is at least 2 weeks. To maintain the result, you need to do up to 4 sessions per year. If the procedure was carried out to eliminate acne, scars, then the rejuvenating effect is prolonged. Filler injections can help stimulate the synthesis of your own collagen, then the result lasts for more than a year.

Age is especially noticeable by the presence of skin irregularities in the eye area. Collagen injections under the eyes eliminate wrinkles, folds in just one procedure. This is one of the most effective and fastest methods to fill the nasolacrimal trough. The effect of rejuvenation for 5-10 years is created. Collagen can be used in conjunction with Botox. For example, Botox is used for the upper zone of the face, the eye area, and collagen is used for the lower zone, the lips.

The rehabilitation period requires some restrictions. The area treated with the filler should not be subjected to mechanical stress. About 3-5 hours after the injection, the face should not be touched. It is not recommended to carry out active water procedures in the form of visiting a bath, sauna, pool for several weeks. During the month, excessive insolation, the use of a solarium is contraindicated. Reinforced physical exercise are also prohibited.

Collagen injections give an excellent short-term effect. But after 3 months, the protein is completely absorbed by the body, and there is a need to repeat the procedure. Therefore, a maintenance procedure is performed every 3 months. The technique allows you to postpone a visit to a plastic surgeon for several years.