User:Mr. Ibrahem/Norgestrel

Norgestrel, solder under the brand name Opill among others, is a medication used as a birth control pill. With proper use about 2% of women become pregnant per year; though, with typical use this may be closer to 8%. It may also be used as part of menopausal hormone therapy. It is taken by mouth at the same time each day.

Common side effects include menstrual irregularities, headaches, nausea, and breast tenderness. It does not protect again sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. Use by error in pregnancy does not appear to harm the baby and use during breastfeeding is safe. Certain medications, including antiseizure medication, may decrease effectiveness. Norgestrel is a progestin only, without estrogen. It is made up of equal amounts levonorgestrel (LNG), though which it acts; and D-norgestrel, which is inactive.

Norgestrel was patented in 1961 and came into medical use in 1966. It has been widely marketed. It is to become available over-the-counter in the United States in 2024 at the price of 20 USD per month. It was previously available in the United States in combination with an estrogen, as ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel.