Table 1.

Contraceptive Progestins

Progestin-type	Steroid class	Progestin generation	Class members	Common Contraceptives	Delivery route(s)	Notes
Progesterone derivatives	Pregnanes	n/a	MPA	DMPA	Injectable*
Testosterone derivatives	Estranes	1st	Norethindrone	Multiple progestin only and combined oral formulations	Oral	Of the testosterone derivative progestins: Lowest progestational effect; lowest potency; shortest half-life (T1/2).
			Norethindrone acetate	Multiple combined oral formulations	Oral
			Norethindrone enanthate§	NET-En	Injectable
			Ethynodiol diacetate	Several combined oral formulations	Oral
	Gonanes	2nd	Norgestrel	Multiple combined oral formulations	Oral	2nd generation progestins have higher andreogenic effects compared with other progestins
			Levonorgestrel	Multiple combined oral formulations	Oral
				Mirena®/Skyla®	Intrauterine
				Norplant®/Jadelle®§	Subdermal implants
		3rd	Desogestrel	Multiple combined oral formulations	Oral	3rd generation progestins have higher affinity for the progesterone receptor and lower affinity for the androgen receptor compared with 1st and 2nd gen. progestins
				NuvaRing®	Intravaginal
				Implanon®/Nexplanon®	Subdermal Implants
			Norgestimate	Multiple oral formulations	Oral
			Gestodene§	Several oral formulations	Oral
Spironolactone derivatives	n/a	4th	Drospirenone	Multiple oral formulations	Oral	Increased anti- mineralocorticoid and anti- androgenic properties compared with other progestins

^*Intramuscular and subcutaneous injectable formulations available

^§Not available in the United States