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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
Published on: May 12, 2019
Selective progesterone receptor modulators 2: use in reproductive medicine
Giuseppe Benagiano1, Carlo Bastianelli, Manuela Farris
1University 'la Sapienza', Postgraduate School of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Policlinico Umberto I degrees , Viale Regina Margherita 245, 00161 Roma, Italy.
Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) offer diverse reproductive medicine applications. While many exist, few, like emergency contraception and treatments for uterine fibroids and endometriosis, show significant clinical promise outside pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Synthetic compounds, known as selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs), interact with progesterone receptors, displaying varied agonist and antagonist activities.
- While hundreds of SPRMs exist, only a limited number have undergone substantial clinical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical applications of SPRMs beyond pregnancy.
- To evaluate the efficacy and potential of various SPRMs, including mifepristone and others, for reproductive health indications.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of major review papers and recent publications on SPRMs.
- Focus on indications outside of pregnancy, assessing data for multiple SPRMs.
Main Results:
- SPRMs are investigated for oral contraception, cycle control, emergency contraception, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, and ovarian stimulation for IVF.
- Mifepristone, asoprisnil, onapristone, ulipristal, Proellex(), ORG 33628, and ORG 31710 are among the evaluated SPRMs.
Conclusions:
- Outside of pregnancy, SPRMs show potential for large-scale use in emergency contraception.
- Long-term medical management of uterine fibroids and endometriosis are also promising applications for SPRMs.
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