Norgesterone
Norgesterone is a synthetic progestin, a type of hormone used in various hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. It is chemically related to progesterone, a natural hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Norgesterone belongs to the class of steroid hormones and has a chemical structure similar to that of progesterone. It is known for its high affinity for the progesterone receptor, which allows it to effectively mimic the actions of natural progesterone in the body.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Norgesterone is primarily used in contraceptive formulations, often in combination with estrogens. It is also used in hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and osteoporosis.
Contraception[edit | edit source]
In contraceptive applications, norgesterone works by inhibiting ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration, and altering the endometrium to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
Hormone Replacement Therapy[edit | edit source]
In hormone replacement therapy, norgesterone helps to alleviate symptoms of menopause by compensating for the decreased production of natural progesterone.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of norgesterone include nausea, headache, breast tenderness, and mood changes. Long-term use may be associated with an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer.
Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]
Norgesterone is well-absorbed when taken orally and undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver. It is metabolized primarily by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and is excreted in the urine.
History[edit | edit source]
Norgesterone was developed in the mid-20th century as part of the effort to create effective and reliable hormonal contraceptives. It has since been used in various formulations and continues to be an important component of many birth control methods.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
