Progestogen-only injectable contraceptives (POICs) are a form 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 origin ...
and
progestogen-only contraception
Progestogen-only contraception (or progestin-only contraception) relies on progestogens alone to achieve contraception. It is one of the two major types of hormonal contraception, with the other major type being combined hormonal contraceptive m ...
that are administered by
injection and providing long-lasting
birth control
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 ...
.
As opposed to
combined injectable contraceptives, they contain only a
progestogen
Progestogens, also sometimes written progestagens or gestagens, are a class of natural or synthetic steroid hormones that bind to and activate the progesterone receptors (PR). Progesterone is the major and most important progestogen in the body. ...
without an
estrogen, and include two
progestin
A progestogen, also referred to as a progestagen, gestagen, or gestogen, is a type of medication which produces effects similar to those of the natural product, natural female sex hormone progesterone in the body. A progestin is a ''synthetic co ...
preparations:
*
Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in injectable form and sold under the brand name Depo-Provera among others, is a hormonal medication of the progestin type. It is used as a method of bi ...
(brand names Depo-Provera, Provera, Depo-subQ Provera 104)
– 150 mg (
intramuscularly) or 104 mg (
subcutaneous Subcutaneous may refer to:
* Subcutaneous injection
* Subcutaneous tissue
The subcutaneous tissue (), also called the hypodermis, hypoderm (), subcutis, superficial fascia, is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates. The ...
ly) every 3 months
*
Norethisterone enanthate (brand names NET EN, Noristerat, Norigest, Doryxas)
– 200 mg (intramuscularly) every 2 months
Research
Progestogens that have been studied for potential use as POICs but were never marketed as such include the
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 m ...
derivatives
algestone acetophenide (dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide) (100 mg/month),
chlormadinone acetate (250 mg/3 months),
hydroxyprogesterone caproate (250–500 mg/month),
gestonorone caproate (2.5–200 mg/1–2 months), and
oxogestone phenpropionate (50–75 mg/month), and the
testosterone derivatives
lynestrenol phenylpropionate (25–75 mg/month),
levonorgestrel butanoate,
levonorgestrel cyclobutylcarboxylate, and
levonorgestrel cyclopropylcarboxylate.
Some of these have been introduced for use in
combined injectable contraceptives instead.
[Benagiano, G., & Merialdi, M. (2011). Carl Djerassi and the World Health Organisation special programme of research in human reproduction. Journal für Reproduktionsmedizin und Endokrinologie-Journal of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology, 8(1), 10-13. http://www.kup.at/kup/pdf/10163.pdf]
See also
*
Combined oral contraceptive pill
*
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 (medication), estrogen. They are colloquially known as mini pills.
Although such pills ...
References
{{Progesterone receptor modulators
Hormonal contraception
Progestogens