Norethindrone

The Basics

What is Norethindrone?

Used to treat endometriosis.

Brand names for Norethindrone

Aygestin

How Norethindrone is classified

Contraceptives, Contraceptives – Oral and Synthetic

Norethindrone During Pregnancy

Norethindrone pregnancy category

Category XNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Norethindrone while pregnant

Norethindrone acetate is contraindicated during pregnancy as it may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Several reports suggest an association between intrauterine exposure to progestational drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital abnormalities in male and female fetuses. Some progestational drugs induce mild virilization of the external genitalia of female fetuses.

Taking Norethindrone While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Norethindrone?

Can you take norethindrone while breastfeeding? This record contains information specific to norethindrone used alone. Readers with an interest in a combination oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, Contraceptives, Oral, Combined. Poor to fair quality evidence indicates that norethindrone does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply.[1][2][3][4] Some evidence indicates that progestin-only contraceptives may offer protection against bone mineral density loss during lactation, or at least do not exacerbate it.[5][6][7] Although nonhormonal methods are preferred during breastfeeding, progestin-only contraceptives such as norethindrone are considered the hormonal contraceptives of choice during lactation. Fair quality evidence indicates that norethindrone does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply. Expert opinion holds that the risks of progestin-only contraceptive products usually are acceptable for nursing mothers at any time postpartum.[8][9]

Maternal / infant drug levels

Does taking norethindrone while breastfeeding impact maternal or infant drug levels?  This record contains information specific to norethindrone used alone. Readers with an interest in a combination oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, Contraceptives, Oral, Combined. Poor to fair quality evidence indicates that norethindrone does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply.[1][2][3][4] Some evidence indicates that progestin-only contraceptives may offer protection against bone mineral density loss during lactation, or at least do not exacerbate it.[5][6][7] Although nonhormonal methods are preferred during breastfeeding, progestin-only contraceptives such as norethindrone are considered the hormonal contraceptives of choice during lactation. Fair quality evidence indicates that norethindrone does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply. Expert opinion holds that the risks of progestin-only contraceptive products usually are acceptable for nursing mothers at any time postpartum.[8][9]

Possible effects of Norethindrone on milk supply

Studies of varying size and quality on the use of long-acting norethindrone injections (acetate or enanthate) have found that the use of levonorgestrel implants (Norplant or Norplant-2) as a contraceptive beginning at 6 weeks postpartum or later either has no clinically important negative effect on the quality of breastmilk and results in either no effect or an increase in the milk supply and duration of lactation [13][14][15][16] In one study, women who received the implant at 6 days postpartum, a transient decrease in milk protein occurred 2 weeks after implant insertion. A decrease in milk phosphorus content was also observed between 2 and 4 months after implant insertion in this group and at 3 months postpartum, the early insertion group had a higher rate of supplementation.[19] In another study, women given norethindrone enanthate depot injection less than 48 hours postpartum were 2.5 to 3 times more likely to have postpartum depression at 6 weeks postpartum. No differences were seen at 1 and 12 weeks postpartum.[20]A short-term study of 12 women who received oral norethindrone 350 mcg daily starting 48 hours postpartum found no differences in milk production or milk composition over 14 days compared to 8 women taking a placebo.[18]One small, nonrandomized study found that oral norethindrone 350 mcg daily decreased the quantity and quality (lower protein, lipids and calcium) compared to controls who received nonhormonal contraception.[21]In a nonrandomized, nonblinded study comparing women who were breastfeeding at discharge, 102 postpartum women received depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (dosage not stated) in the early postpartum period (average 51.9 hours postpartum; range 6.25 to 132 hours), 181 received another progestin-only contraceptive and 138 used nonhormonal contraception. No differences in breastfeeding rates were seen at 2 and 6 weeks, but women receiving any hormonal contraceptive were breastfeeding at a lower rate (72.1% vs 77.6%) at 4 weeks postpartum. The authors concluded that progestin-only contraception initiated in the early postpartum period had no adverse effects on breastfeeding rates.[22]A study analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of U.S. women from May 2005 through June 2007. Women were followed from the third trimester of pregnancy throughout the first year postpartum. Data from the subset of women who intended to breastfeed for 3 months or longer postpartum during their third trimester of pregnancy and who were using a contraceptive at 3 months postpartum were analyzed (n = 1349). Women who intended to breastfeed for at least 4 months and were taking a progestin-only oral contraceptive, such as norethindrone, were 3.15 times more likely to be breastfeeding (exclusive or nonexclusive) at 4 months than women who used a nonhormonal contraceptive. Women who said they would breastfeed for 3 to 4 months had 4-month breastfeeding rates equivalent to those using a nonhormonal contraceptive. These rates were much higher than those of women who were taking an estrogen-containing, combined oral contraceptive.[23]

Possible alternatives to Norethindrone

Etonogestrel, Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive, Oral Levonorgestrel, Intrauterine Levonorgestrel, Levonorgestrel Implant, Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, Progesterone.