Progestogens were first suggested as possible contraceptives in the 1920s, but
it was not until the early 1960s that effective progestogen-only contraceptive
methods were developed. Since then it has become possible to deliver a range
of different progestogens at varying doses, by a variety of routes, over
greatly differing durations of time. Some of these systems have demonstrated
extraordinarily high contraceptive efficacy with relatively few side-effects
apart from unpredictable, but almost universal, disturbances of the menstrual
pattern. It is now recognized that some systems may exhibit substantial
non-contraceptive health benefits, which should become an important part of
the overall performance profile of each method. The high technology and
differing attributes associated with some of the systems raise important
considerations in relation to user’s perceptions and programmatic
requirements. Overall, progestogens are able to offer women a varied range of
valuable choices for contraception. The differing performance characteristics
of these methods now provide women with a major portion of their current
contraceptive choices.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome: a follow-up study on fertility and menstrual pattern in 149 patients 15-25 years after ovarian wedge resection
