Progestins (i.e., synthetic progesterone) used in hormonal contraceptives (HCs) have been developed to mimic endogenous progesterone to inhibit ovulation and prevent pregnancy. Although the physiological side effects of different progestin formulations and administrative routes (e.g., oral pill, injection, skin patch) are well understood, the potential affective and behavioral side effects of various progestins are relatively under-studied. Progestins vary in terms of their dosage, bioavailability, metabolism, and affinity for progesterone and other steroid hormone receptors. Yet, research investigating the effects of these compounds on women’s affect, sex drive, and mate preferences has not systematically accounted for these differences when considering their psychobehavioral side effects. Here, the biological differences between progesterone and progestins, as well as the differences between progestin types, are considered. Research looking at the effects of progesterone and progestins on women’s affect, sex drive, and mating psychology is reviewed, with emphasis on work that has explored differences between progestin types. In this review, we argue that accounting for these unique aspects of progestins is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the influence of HCs on women. A better understanding of these differences may clarify previous research and inform future studies.

中文翻译：

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并非所有孕激素都能平等地产生：在心理行为研究中单独考虑独特的孕激素

已开发出用于激素避孕药（HCs）的孕激素（即合成孕激素）来模仿内源性孕激素，以抑制排卵并防止怀孕。尽管已经很好地了解了不同孕激素制剂和给药途径（例如口服药，注射剂，皮肤贴剂）的生理副作用，但是相对较少地研究了各种孕激素的潜在情感和行为副作用。孕激素的剂量，生物利用度，新陈代谢以及对孕酮和其他类固醇激素受体的亲和力均会有所不同。然而，研究这些化合物对女性的情感，性欲和伴侣偏好的影响的研究在考虑其心理行为副作用时并未系统地解释这些差异。这里，考虑了孕酮和孕激素之间的生物学差异以及孕激素类型之间的差异。审查了有关孕激素和孕激素对妇女的影响，性欲和交配心理的影响的研究，重点是研究了孕激素类型之间差异的工作。在这篇综述中，我们认为，对孕激素的这些独特方面进行解释对于全面了解HC对妇女的影响是必要的。更好地理解这些差异可能会澄清以前的研究，并为将来的研究提供参考。重点研究探索孕激素类型之间差异的工作。在这篇综述中，我们认为，对孕激素的这些独特方面进行解释对于全面了解HC对妇女的影响是必要的。更好地理解这些差异可能会澄清以前的研究，并为将来的研究提供参考。重点研究探索孕激素类型之间差异的工作。在这篇综述中，我们认为，对孕激素的这些独特方面进行解释对于全面了解HC对妇女的影响是必要的。更好地理解这些差异可能会澄清以前的研究，并为将来的研究提供参考。