Progestins
Progestins are a class of drugs manufactured in a lab to act like the progesterone our bodies make. However, the chemical structure of the synthesized molecule is not the same as the naturally occurring ones. This may have an impact on the way these progesterone-like molecules bind to progesterone receptors in our bodies. Progesterone dissipates quickly in the body, so progestins were designed to be more potent and have a longer-lasting effect. As such, progestins are more potent than the progesterone our bodies make.
Progesterone
Progesterone USP is also manufactured in a lab, but is bioidentical — that is, molecularly identical to the progesterone made in our bodies.
See the difference in the structure
Here is the structure of Provera, a common progestin. And here is the structure of progesterone.
For more on the differences between progesterone and progestins, including the products associated with each and some recent research, check out Progesterone and Progestins.
Progesterone and progestins as products
And you can find a list of all of the available hormone therapy products here.
