Norethisterone (NET)

Norethisterone is a molecule used in some combined oral contraceptive pills, progestogen only pills and is also available as a stand-alone drug. It is a progestogen and can be used to treat premenstrual syndrome, painful periods, abnormal heavy bleeding, irregular periods, menopausal syndrome (in combination with oestrogen), or to postpone a period. It is also commonly used to help prevent uterine hemorrhage in complicated non-surgical or pre-surgical gynecologic cases. Norethindrone was the first orally highly active progestin to be synthesized.It was the progestin used in one of the first three oral contraceptives. Its related ester, norethisterone acetate, is used for the same indications. Norethisterone acetate is a steroidal progestin with additional antigonadotropic (and hence antiandrogen and antiestrogen) effects that is used as a hormonal contraceptive. It is an acetate ester of norethisterone.