http://anatomy.iupui.edu/courses/histo_D502/D502f04/lecture.f04/Female04/cycle.jpg
Secreted from CL
Under the influence
of LH
Level declines few
days before next
menstrual cycle
Main function
Preparation of uterus for nidation & maintenance of pregnancy
Uterus:
Secretary changes (in the oestrogen primed endometrium)
If ovum is fertilized
prepare endometrium
oxytocin & ergonovine actions
FSH, LH ovulation
Cervical secretion – thick, viscid, scanty
Vagina: induce pregnancy like changes, leucocyte infiltration
of cornified epithelium
Breast: causes proliferation of acini, Act in concert with
estrogen, to prepare breast for lactation
Body temperature: increased (0.5
0
C)
Respiration: at higher dose stimulate
Pituitary: weak inhibitor of Gn secretion, Negative feedback
primarily at hypothalamus, reduce the frequency of GnRH
pulse
Metabolism: impair glucose tolerance,
19-nortestosterone derivati: LDL and HDL
Classifications and
Preparations
Classification by Generation
Classificatio
n by
structure
First Second Third
Estranes Ethynodiol
diacetate
— —
Norethindrone
Norethindrone
acetate
Gonanes Norgestrel Levonorgestrel Desogestrel
Gestodene
Norgestimate
Pregnanes Medroxyprogeste
rone acetate
— —
Natural progesterone
obtained from soybeans and Mexican yam roots, and
animal ovaries (often).
Progesterone derivatives (C-21 steroid structures)
Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (i.m)
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (im,Oral)
Megesterol Acetate (oral)
Dydrogesterone (oral)
Almost Pure progestins
Weaker anti-ovulatory action
Nomegesterol (oral microionized natural progesterone)
Weak antiandrogenic, Less anti-ovulatory, Strong
antioestrogenic
Micronizing process increase the half-life of progesterone
and reduce its destruction in the GIT and Maxium serum
conc. achieved rapidly
Absorption 2 fold increased when taken with food.
No Adverse effects on mood, lipid profile, glucose
tolerance and pregnancy outcome
Common side effects: Fatigue and Sedation.
19-Nor-testosterone derivative
Older Compounds
Norethindrone
Lynestrenol (Ethinyl
oestradiol)
Allylestrenol,
Additional weak oestrogenic,
androgenic and anabolic
potent anti-ovulatory actions
19-Nor-testosterone derivatives: (Gonanes)
Levonorgestrel, Desogestrel, Norgestimate, Gestodene
All are given orally
Very potent progestins,
No androgenic effects, Strong anti-ovulatory actions
Used in OCS
Do not antagonize the beneficial effects of estrogens on lipid
profile
Suitable for women with hyperandrogenemia
Synthetic Progestins (Except Gonanes) Vs Natural Progestins
Androgenic effects of synthetic progestins include
fluid retention,
reduction of HDL cholesterol levels,
headaches and
mood disturbance.
Some of 19-nortestosterone are strongly
androgenic
Producing hirsutism and acne
Transvaginal Progesterone.
•Most practical non-oral route of
administration.
•Produces uterine effects with minimal
systemic side effects.
Clinical Uses
• OCS: Minipill, Norplant, conventional OCS
• HRT – to antagonize oestrogen side effects, a progestin lacking
androgenic activity is preferred
• DUB: Adolescent, peri/Menopausal women, Norethindrone 20-40
mg/day promptly stops the bleeding, subsequent cyclic treatment with
estrogen
• Endometriosis: presence of ectopic endometrial cells outside
the uterus, continue to respond to O and P, cause dysmenorrhea, painful
pelvic swelling, infertility.
•Goal of therapy is to induce estrogen poor environment, Continued
admn. of P induces anovulatory, estrogenic poor state by GnRH
• Dysmenorrhea
Clinical uses of Progesterones
• Premenstrual syndrome: suppress ovulation (O + P)
• Threatened abortion: only P deficiency cases: pure
P without androgenic and oestrogenic preferred
• Post-partum lactation
• Endometrial cancer: palliative, high dose required
• Hypoventilation
Clinical uses of Progesterones
Adverse Effects
Adverse effects of Progesterone
• breast engorgement, headache, rise in body
temp, oedema, acne & mood swings
• masculinization of external genitalia in the
foetus
• Increased incidences of congenital
abnormalities
• irregular bleeding or amenorrhea
• lower HDL (19-nortestosterone derivatives)
• hyperglycaemia
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics
•Absorption:
•progesterone undergoes high first pass metabolism.
Therefore synthetic preparations are commonly used.
•Progesterone esters in oily soln. for i.m. admn.
•Metabolism:
• by liver enzymes
•excretion by urine after conjugation
Mifepristone
Given during
Follicular phase:midcycle surge of Gn from Pituitary
slow follicular development, ovulation
Luteal phase: prevents secretary changes on endometrium
Mifepristone
Mechanism:
•Partial agonist, progesterone receptor modulator
•During luteal phase: Block Pregest. PGs Uterine
contraction
•Sensitize myocardium to PGs. Induce menstruation
• HCG production falls, secondary luteolysis, softening of cervix
leading to abortion
ADME:
•F: 25 %, CYP3A4 metabolism, t½: 20 h
Uses:
•Termination of early pregnancy – along with
prostaglandin (upto 7 weeks), 600 mg single oral + 400 mg
oral misoprotol or 1mg gemeprost intravaginally
•As a cervical ripening agent: surgical abortion
•Post-coital contraceptive: within 72 hours
•Once a month contraceptive: 200 mg at 2 days after
midcycle of ovulation
•Progesterone sensitive tumors
•Cushing’s syndrome
Side effects:
Vomiting, diarrhoea,
pelvic pain or abdominal pain,
about 5% have severe vaginal bleeding
Precaution: Not to be given to a woman with suspected
ectopic pregnancy, hematological disorders, receiving oral
anticoagulants, Liver/renal diseases
Ulipristal
•Selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM)
•Used in emergency contraceptive (within 5 days, 30 mg)
• Inhibits ovulation by LH surge + direct effect on follicule
•By its action on endometrium, inhibits implantation
•Weaker anti-glucocorticoid activity
•Metabolised by CYP3A4 and drug interaction possible with
rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine
OTHERS:
Onapristone (pure progesterone antagonist) ,
Gestinone (more effective in endometriosis)