title: Contraceptives with novel benefits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Progesterone receptor (PR) agonists (progestins) and antagonists are developed for female contraceptives. However, non-contraceptive applications of newer progestins and PR modulators are being given more attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The newer PR agonists including drospirenone, nomegestrol, trimegestone, dienogest and nestorone are being evaluated as contraceptives with health benefits because of their unique pharmacological properties. The selective PR modulators (SPRM; PR antagonists with PR agonistic properties) are under development not only for emergency contraception but also for other health benefits such as the treatment of endometritis and leiomyoma. After searching the literature from PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov and patent database, this review focuses on the effects and mechanisms of these progestins, and SPRMs as contraceptives with other health benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PR agonists and antagonists that have novel properties may generate better contraceptive effects with other health benefits.
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, 109 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Qing-Quan
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Ren-Shan
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015195:Drug Design; D004716:Endometritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D011372:Progestins; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone