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, 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 ac ...
and a progestogen).
There are several progestogen only contraceptive methods:
*
Progestogen-only pills ("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 taken b ...
,
norethisterone)
*
Progestogen-only emergency pills ("day-after pills") (e.g.,
levonorgestrel)
*
Progestogen-only implants (e.g.,
etonogestrel implant,
levonorgestrel implant
Levonorgestrel-releasing implant, sold under the brand name Jadelle among others, are devices that release levonorgestrel for birth control. It is one of the most effective forms of birth control with a one-year failure rate around 0.05%. The d ...
)
*
Progestogen-only injectables (e.g.,
medroxyprogesterone acetate,
norethisterone enanthate
Norethisterone enanthate (NETE), also known as norethindrone enanthate, is a form of hormonal birth control which is used to prevent pregnancy in women. It is used both as a form of progestogen-only injectable birth control and in combined inject ...
)
*
Progestogen-only intrauterine device
An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD or ICD) or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting reversi ...
s (e.g.,
levonorgestrel,
progesterone)
See also
*
Combined hormonal contraception
Combined hormonal contraception (CHC), or combined birth control, is a form of hormonal contraception which combines both an estrogen and a progestogen in varying formulations.
The different types available include the pill, the patch and the v ...
References
Hormonal contraception
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