Reproductive Medicine and Osteoporosis

The fertility cycle in women is controlled by a cascade of events, which are initiated by protein and steroid hormones. These hormones create signals between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the ovaries. Oral contraceptives contain an estrogenlike drug, ethinyl estradiol. It is combined with any of a number of progestin derivatives. Progestin-only pills are available for women who are breast feeding and those who are unable to tolerate estrogens. There is also an emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, called Plan B. One form consists of two pills, each containing 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel. Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid that is used for the termination of pregnancy up to the 49^th day of gestation. It has been tested as a morning after pill to prevent pregnancy when taken within 12 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is also used in combination with another drug called Gameprost to terminate pregnancies between weeks 13 and 24. In the USA, levonorgestrel is the preferred emergency contraceptive. It can prevent a pregnancy up to 72 hrs after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Oxytocin and prostaglandin E₂ are also available to induce labor by stimulating uterine contractions. Some women take hormone replacement therapy, in which a low dose of one or more estrogens (conjugated equine estrogens) and a progestin are given. Another approach is to increase the consumption of soybeans and foods made from soybeans (such as soy milk).

Keywords: Progestin, levonorgestrel, mifepristone, gameprost, prostaglandin E2, soy.