---
title: What are progestogens used for, and what side effects do they have?
description: Progestogens are medications used to regulate menstrual bleeding, protect the uterine lining, provide contraception, and treat cancer. They can cause physical
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/progestogens-an-occasional-review-1991/
---

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- What are progestogens used for, and what side effects do they have?

Review, 1991

# What are progestogens used for, and what side effects do they have?

Progestogens are medications used to regulate menstrual bleeding, protect the uterine lining, provide contraception, and treat cancer. They can cause physical, psychological, and metabolic side effects including changes in blood fats that need to be considered.

 Early or limited evidence

This is a review; no specific study population. General discussion of people taking progestogens.

## What they did

This is a review of progestogens, a class of medications that stimulate the progesterone receptor. The authors examined their various uses in gynecological and medical practice and their potential side effects.

## What they found

Progestogens share the ability to stimulate the progesterone receptor but differ in many other aspects. Their uses include regulation of menstrual bleeding, protection of estrogen-primed endometrium, contraception, and anticancer therapy. However, progesterone physical and psychological side-effects and potentially adverse metabolic effects including lipoprotein changes must be considered.

## What it means for you

Progestogens are useful medications with multiple applications in gynecological care, but they come with side effects that should be discussed with your doctor. Different progestogens have different properties, so your doctor can choose the best option for your situation. This is a review article, so it focuses on general guidance rather than new evidence.

## About the study

Original title Progestogens: an occasional review Authors Eden JA Journal Asia-Oceania journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1991 Study design Review What was tested Various progestogens (progesterone-like medications). Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.1991.tb00276.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.1991.tb00276.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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