Progesterone and progestins in women’s health
Document Type
Chapter
Publication Date
7-3-2025
Abstract
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that is essential for the regulation of reproductive function. Progesterone and progestins have been approved for a number of indications including the treatment of irregular and anovulatory menstrual cycles and, when combined with estrogen, for contraception, and the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) regimens. Lack of understanding between the differences in categories of the progestins with the physiological progesterone hormone has resulted in considerable controversy surrounding the use of progestins for HRT regimens. Considerable evidence suggests that there are distinct differences between the molecules and there is no progestin class effect, with regard to benefits or side-effects.
In addition to its role in reproduction, progesterone regulates a number of biologically distinct processes in other tissues, particularly in the nervous system and the vessels. It is hoped that a better understanding of the mechanism of action of progesterone and the properties of selected progestins will help in defining better therapies for men and women.
Recommended Citation
Sitruk-Ware, Régine. 2025. "Progesterone and progestins in women’s health," in Franck Mauvais-Jarvis (ed.), Principles of Precision Hormone Therapy: Healthy Aging and Prevention of Chronic Disease, pp. 183–205. Springer Cham.
DOI
10.1007/978-3-031-89650-7_10
Language
English
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89650-7_10