What is the Origin of Progestin Side Effects?

The effects arise from the pharmacological action of progestins, a class of synthetic hormones developed for contraception and hormone replacement therapy, on various endocrine tissues. The term "progestin" is a portmanteau of progestational and steroid, indicating its function in promoting gestation-like effects.

What is the Mechanism of Progestin Side Effects?

Certain progestins exhibit significant off-target binding to androgen, glucocorticoid, or mineralocorticoid receptors, leading to clinical side effects such as acne, hirsutism, fluid retention, or mood changes. The specific side effect profile is directly correlated with the progestin's selectivity and its dose, highlighting the complexity of modulating the sex steroid network with synthetic analogues.

Progestin Side Effects ∞ Area

Progestin Side Effects

Meaning

A range of adverse physiological responses resulting from the administration of synthetic progestational compounds, which are structurally related to progesterone but often possess distinct pharmacological properties. These effects are diverse and depend heavily on the specific progestin’s affinity for other steroid receptors, impacting various organ systems.