Premarin

Premarin contains conjugated estrogens. The sex hormones are the natural steroids produced in the body. The primary ones are the testosterone in the males and the progesterone and estrogen in the females. The estrogens are the principal female hormones noteworthy because of their action on the female sexual and reproductive system.

The effects of estrogens are as follows:

• Feminizing effects at puberty: Estrogens are of great importance in the development of secondary sex characteristics at puberty.
• Effect on breasts: There is the development and pigmentation of the nipples and the stromal tissue of the mammary gland. The remarkable enlargement of breasts called the larches.
• Effect on Pelvis: There is broadening of the bony pelvis.
• Effect on vagina: There is thickening and cornification of the vaginal epithelium.
• Effect on uterus: The blood supply to uterus is increased, endocervical gland secretion is increased, hypertrophy and enlargement of the uterus in preparation for pregnancy.
• Effect on fat deposition: There is redistribution of the body fat, in regions of hips and abdomen.
• Effect on stature: Under the influence of estrogen, the adult female develops a stature of narrow shoulders, brad hips, thighs that converge and arms that diverge.
• Effect on skin: There is thinning of the skin due to the action of estrogen
• Effect on hair: There is proliferation of hair follicles on the scalp. The axillary and pubic hair also develops.
• Effect on skeleton: Estrogen also stimulates bone development and inhibits osteoclastic activity.

The Premarin is the commercially available form of the estrogen. Estrogens are advised in variety of abnormalities:

• To provide additional hormone in either pos-menopausal females or those suffering from late puberty.
• Also in inflammation of vagina, vulvar atrophy, female hypogonadism or the failure or removal of both ovaries.
• To help prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal females
• To treat some cases of breast cancer both in males as well as females
• To treat prostate cancer in males

The precautions to be kept in mind while using premarin are:

• history of allergies of the patient should be known
• Prepubertal use is not recommended
• Total abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is reuired
• Any history of kidney or heart or liver impairments must be made known to the prescriber.
• People with epilepsy, seizures or migraine should avoid using it
• Asthmatics should take caution while using it.
• Patients of lupus erythematosis and diabetes should take extra precautions

The side-effects observed from the administration of drug are nausea, tenderness, swelling and bleeding from gums. Moreover, there can be increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer. In addition, there are also adverse effects like hives, tachycardia, fever, skin irritation, joint pain, stiffness shortness of breath, tightening of chest or rapid weight gain.