Progestogens synthetic

Since the development of the oral contraceptive steroids in the 1960s, various steroids and procedures have been used. Synthetic steroids are now used since their half-hves in the body are longer than the natural steroids. Combined oestrogen-progesterone contraception involves taking one piU each day which contains a synthetic progestogen plus an oestrogen. The pill is taken for 21 dyas, with a break for... 

Chlormadinone Synthetic progestogen Menstrual disorders. Oral contraceptive... 

Ethynodiol diacetate Synthetic progestogen Component of many combined oral contraceptives. Progesterone replacement therapy... 

Medroxyprogesterone acetate Synthetic progestogen Treatment of menstrual disorders, endometriosis and hormone responsive cancer. Also used as long-acting contraceptive... 

Megestrol acetate Synthetic progestogen Treatment of endometrial carcinoma and some forms of breast cancer... 

Norethisterone Synthetic progestogen Abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometriosis, component of some oral contraceptives and in hormone replacement therapy... 

It is a synthetic progestogen structurally related to progesterone given orally or by IM injection. 

The circumstances pointed strongly to a drug association, but the identity of the oral contraceptive was not stated it is likely to have contained a synthetic progestogen and not progesterone itself. 

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (lUCDs) have been reviewed (1,2). Most are composed of bland synthetic materials or contain in addition a small amount of metallic copper. Others are designed to release either progesterone or a synthetic progestogen (for example levonorgestrel) (3,4). lUCDs that release levonorgestrel are somewhat more effective than copper-containing devices, while those that release progesterone are less effective (5). 

With these very positive conclusions it is not clear why micronized progesterone has not been more widely used. Commercial factors may well have played a role in maintaining the overwhelming dominance of the patented synthetic progestogens. On the other hand, despite the fact that there are estimated to be 500 000 current users of micronized progesterone in France alone, the worldwide scope of experience is stiU limited compared with that of the sjmthetic analogues, and one must be prepared for surprises if this product should ever be used more widely. It... 

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