A progestin is a synthetic progestagen that has progestinic effects similar to progesterone . [ citation needed ] The two most frequent uses of progestins are for hormonal contraception (either alone or with an estrogen ), and to prevent endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed estrogen in hormone replacement therapy . more

A progestin is a synthetic progestagen that has progestinic effects similar to progesterone . [ citation needed ] The two most frequent uses of progestins are for hormonal contraception (either alone or with an estrogen ), and to prevent endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed estrogen in hormone replacement therapy . Progestins are also used to treat secondary amenorrhea , dysfunctional uterine bleeding and endometriosis , and as palliative treatment of endometrial cancer , renal cell carcinoma , breast cancer , and prostate cancer . High dose megestrol acetate is used to treat anorexia , cachexia and AIDS -related wasting . Progesterone (or sometimes the progestin dydrogesterone or 17?-hydroxyprogesterone caproate ) is used for luteal support in IVF protocols, questionably for treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss , and for prevention of preterm birth in pregnant women with a history of at least one spontaneous preterm birth. [ 1 ] less