title: Evolution of progestins. Focus on the novel progestin drospirenone.
abstract: Combination oral contraceptives have changed considerably since they were introduced, in 1960. Although ethinyl estradiol has been the primary estrogen in combination oral contraceptives for years, a number of progestogenic agents have been developed. All of the progestins currently used in combination oral contraceptives are derived from 19-nortestosterone. The exception is a new progestin derived from 17 alpha-spirolactone--drospirenone. As compared with that of other progestins used in combination oral contraceptives, drospirenone pharmacology more closely resembles the pharmacology endogenous progesterone. Its antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid activities result in special benefits--e.g., improvement in androgen-related disorders (such as acne and hirsutism) and avoidance of estrogen-related fluid retention.
authors.affiliation: Mobile Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, One Mobile Infirmary Circle, Mobile, AL 36607, USA.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Thorneycroft
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000736:Androstenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone