Heading | Relative potency | Remarks | References |
Endometrium | +++ | A potent progestogen | 2 15–17 |
Thrombosis | −/++ | Dose-dependent increase in the risk of thrombosis
| 5 7 18 19 21 22 50 |
Breast | + | Stimulates proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro Cancer risk increased after 5 years’ use | 25–27 |
Bone | ++ | Dose-dependent increase in bone mass and density | 29–32 |
Cardiovascular health | |||
Lipids | + | Lowers HDL, but also LDL and triglycerides maintaining a beneficial ratio | 34 |
Glucose | Neutral? | Paucity of data and no data on patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes | 31 35 36 |
Body composition | + | Decrease in visceral adiposity, but only results concerning HRT together with estrogen component | 37 38 |
Cognitive function and mood | +/− | Inconclusive results | 40–43 |
HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.