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Contraception for Adolescent and Young Adult Women pp 25–44Cite as

Progestin-Only Contraception

Abstract

There are three main progestin-only contraceptives (POCs) available in the United States: progestin-only pills (containing norethindrone acetate), injectable depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA or Depo-Provera® IM and SC forms) and the etonogestrel implant (Implanon® NEXPLANON®). POCs have advantages over combination methods for female adolescents with contraindications to estrogens because POCs carry very few cardiovascular risks and do not increase risk for thromboembolism. DMPA is particularly beneficial for female adolescents with sickle cell disease, seizure disorder, and for those taking anticonvulsants and other cytochrome p450 inducing medications. POCs also avoid adverse effects attributed to estrogens such as nausea, headache, edema and breast tenderness that often lead to poor adherence. Both DMPA and the etonogestrel implants are long-acting, convenient, discreet, and cost-effective methods that are highly desirable by female adolescents who may have difficulties adhering to coital, daily, weekly, or monthly, more user-dependent methods. POCs offer a safe, reversible, and effective alternative to combination contraceptive methods, with particular benefits and without the adverse effects or health risks associated with exogenous estrogens.

Keywords

  • Contraceptive Method
  • Emergency Contraception
  • Cervical Mucus
  • Luteinizing Hormone Surge
  • Young Adult Woman

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mercy Children’s Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Romina L. Barral M.D.

  2. University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Romina L. Barral M.D.

  3. Adolescent Medicine Division, Department of Pediatrics, Mercy Children’s Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Romina L. Barral M.D.

  4. Division of adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Melanie A. Gold D.O., F.A.A.P.

Authors
  1. Romina L. Barral M.D.
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  2. Melanie A. Gold D.O., F.A.A.P.
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Correspondence to Romina L. Barral M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology Section of Family Planning and Contraceptive Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Amy Whitaker

  2. Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology Section of Family Planning and Contraceptive Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Melissa Gilliam

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Barral, R.L., Gold, M.A. (2014). Progestin-Only Contraception. In: Whitaker, A., Gilliam, M. (eds) Contraception for Adolescent and Young Adult Women. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6579-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6579-9_3

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