ABSTRACT
The combined oral contraceptive pill contains an estrogen component and a progestin. Progestins are synthetic forms of progesterone and are widely used for the management of women with abnormal uterine bleeding, although their efficacy in this context is doubtful. They are also used in the management of endometriosis and for contraception in women for whom estrogens are contraindicated. Hormone therapy consisting of estrogens alone has been shown to be associated with a significantly increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia. The progestin-only contraceptive pill contains a low dose of progestin, such as levonorgestrel or norethisterone, and is taken every day with no breaks; the women experience light bleeds which may be irregular initially. Nonmedicated intrauterine contraceptive devices made of plastic or copper and plastic have long been used for contraception. A selective progesterone receptor modulator is an agent that exerts agonist and antagonist activity at the progesterone receptor, depending on the target tissue.
