Progestin for Endometriosis
Why It Is Used
Progestin is a second-choice treatment for endometriosis. It is as effective as other hormone therapies. But it is typically used after birth control pills and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) therapies have not relieved endometriosis pain. This is because high-dose progestin, when given by mouth or injection, may cause bone-thinning and unpleasant side effects.Reference 1 (Megestrol and Depo-Provera are high-dose progestins. The progestin IUD is not known to have effects on the bone and causes fewer side effects because the progestin dose is lower.)
Progestin injection and the LNg IUD also effectively prevent pregnancy.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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