Progestins

Progestin
Drug class
Norethisterone (norethindrone), one of the most widely used progestins.
Class identifiers
Use	Contraception, menopause, hypogonadism, transgender women, others
ATC code	G03D
Biological target	Progesterone receptors (PRA, PRB, PRC)
External links
MeSH	D011372

Progestins are synthetic progestogens, medications that have effects similar to those of progesterone. The two most common uses of progestins are for hormonal contraception (either alone or with an estrogen), and to prevent endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed estrogen in hormone replacement therapy. Progestins are also used to treat secondary amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and endometriosis, and as palliative treatment of endometrial cancer, renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. High-dose megestrol acetate is used to treat anorexia, cachexia, and AIDS-related wasting.

Progesterone (or sometimes dydrogesterone or hydroxyprogesterone caproate) is used for luteal support in IVF protocols, questionably for treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss, and for prevention of preterm birth in pregnant women with a history of at least one spontaneous preterm birth.