Progestogen-only contraception (or progestin-only contraception) relies on
progestogens alone to achieve
contraception
Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...
.
It is one of the two major types of
hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones, although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The origi ...
, with the other major type being combined hormonal contraceptive methods (including both
estrogen
Estrogen or oestrogen is a category of sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens that have estrogenic hormonal a ...
and a progestogen).
There are several progestogen only contraceptive methods:
*
Progestogen-only pill
Progestogen-only pills or progestin-only pills (POP) are contraceptive pills that contain only synthetic progestogens (progestins) and do not contain estrogen. They are colloquially known as mini pills.
Although such pills are sometimes called "p ...
s ("mini-pills") (e.g.,
desogestrel
Desogestrel is a progestin medication which is used in birth control pills for women. It is also used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women. The medication is available and used alone or in combination with an estrogen. It is tak ...
,
norethisterone
Norethisterone, also known as norethindrone and sold under many brand names, is a progestin medication used in birth control pills, menopausal hormone therapy, and for the treatment of gynecological disorders. The medication is available in ...
)
*
Progestogen-only emergency pills ("day-after pills") (e.g.,
levonorgestrel
Levonorgestrel is a hormonal medication which is used in a number of birth control methods. It is combined with an estrogen to make combination birth control pills. As an emergency birth control, sold under the brand name Plan B One-Step amon ...
)
*
Progestogen-only implants (e.g.,
etonogestrel implant,
levonorgestrel implant)
*
Progestogen-only injectables (e.g.,
medroxyprogesterone acetate,
norethisterone enanthate)
*
Progestogen-only intrauterine devices (e.g.,
levonorgestrel
Levonorgestrel is a hormonal medication which is used in a number of birth control methods. It is combined with an estrogen to make combination birth control pills. As an emergency birth control, sold under the brand name Plan B One-Step amon ...
,
progesterone
Progesterone (P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the ma ...
)
See also
*
Combined hormonal contraception
References
Hormonal contraception
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