EFFECTS OF PROGESTAGENS ON BONES

Gestagens when administered alone to menopausal women, (19 nortestoste rone or progesterone derivatives) suppress loss of mineral content. Bu t often a slight bone loss is observed, in contrast to the effect of o estrogenotherapy. 19 norpregnane derivatives seems to protect against bone loss. Progestagen may enhance bone formation without decreasing b one resorption. Administered together with oestrogens, gestagens have demonstrated either a decrease in biochemical estimates of bone loss o r a radiologically positive effect. Progestogens alone in premenopausa l women have various effects. In the case of contraception by injectab le MPA the bone mass tend to decline as a result of hypoestrogenism. I n summary gestagens seem to have on bone mass a rather favourable effe ct, which nevertheless is weaker than that of oestrogen.