The Good, Bad, Side Effects and Risks of Progestins

As we mentioned in previous articles during the last stage of the menstrual cycle normally a layer of endometriosis lining in the inside of the uterus is expelled, known as menstruation blood but instead some of the endometriosis tissues grow somewhere in the body causing endometriosis. Endometriosis also reacts to hormonal signals of the monthly menstrual cycle, building up tissue, breaking it, and eliminating it through the menstrual period.  In this article, we will discuss the good, bad,side effects and risks of progesterone only pill.

I. Definition
Progestogen are one of the five major classes of steroid hormones including progesterone. Progesterone only pill contains only progesterone do not contain estrogen. It does not contain actual hormone but one of several chemically related compounds that helps to achieve contraception. Some progesterone only pills required to taken within three hours of the same time each day such as femulen, micronor, noriday, etc while other less common one required to be taken within twelve hours of the same time each day such as cerazette.

II. The Good
a) The progesterone only pills help to thicken the mucus made from the cervix stopping the the sperm from getting through uterus to fertilize an egg.
b) It makes the endometrial lining thinner that decreases the chance of becoming pregnancy.
c) It helps to stop the abnormal bleeding and shed of the endometrium.
d) Improve period pain and pelvic pain caused by endometrial implants.
e) Alternative choice for women can not take the oral contraceptive combination pill.

III. The bad
1) Progesterone only pill may causes irregular periods such as longer and heavier, or shorter and lighter, than usual.
2) Some women may experience spotting and bleeding while taking the pill.
3) Other may have no period altogether.

IV. Side effects
Most side effects are caused by high levels of progesterone for women taking the progesterone only pill, such as
1) Mood swings
2) Weight gain
3) Reduced libido
4) Fluid retention
5) Acne
6) Breast tenderness

V. Risk
1) Ectopic pregnancy
Women taking the progesterone only pill may increase the risk of pregnancy inside the fallopian tube and not in the uterus.
2) Progesterone only pill may increase the risk of pain in the lower abdomen, shortly after a missed or light period.
3) It also increases the risk of developing small, benign cysts in the ovary