Hi everybody, I was thinking about taking some pills which contain the synthetic progestin drospirenone. I would like to take these pills for two options, first, these pills contain micronized estradiol instead of estradiol valerate, which would be benefitial for me because the sublingual absorption would be better I assume. The second option is that drospirenone is a progestin that is very similar to micronized progesterone and it has some antindrogen effects, a little bit weaker than other progestins like cyproterone or nomegestrol acetate. I doubt a little about the sublingual absorption of drospirenone, but maybe taking these pills with micronized estradiol, my estradiol levels would be higher and drospirenone may help me with my  oily skin, and maybe decreases testosterone a little. These pills are for hrt, the only downside is that they have litlle estradiol on it, and I am afraid of the antiestrogenic effects of drospirenone. What do you think? Anyone has tried taking drospirenone?

I forgot to say that reading some studies about the pharmackocinetics of synthetic progestins, drospirenone is a derivate of spironolactone, and it has zero androgenic effects, as opposed what happens to some progestins derivated from 17 hidroxyprogesterone, such as cyproterone, nomegestrol acetate and clormadinone progestins. All of them have strong progestogen effects and of course antiestrogenic effects.

As far as I know, estradiol valerate can be absorbed sublingually as it is micronized, particles small enough to be absorbed.

http://www.bayer.in/products_womens_healthcare.php
"Progynova®
It is a Micronised, esterified estradiol valerate obtained from natural source."

But, mg for mg, appears to be a little weaker than 17-beta estradiol due to molecular weight. There have been concerns about drospirenone increasing thromboembolism to a greater degree relative to older generation progestins but I don't know how substantial the evidence is. This progestin although anti-mineralocorticoid, anti-estrogenic and progestogenic, is not that similar to progesterone as its anti-androgenic effects are significant compared to P, doesn't metabolize to anxiolytic neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone and doesn't increase body core temperature.

Dienogest is also an anti-androgenic progestin that can be found combined with bio-identical estradiol.

Progestogens can enhance oily skin due to progestogenic (and, in a few cases, mild androgenic) effects but those with anti-androgenic effects may have the opposite effect. Estrogen will also reduce oil production, by reducing sebum production and androgens.

You need to discuss this with a doctor and find out what is the safest and best option for you. We can only provide information that needs to be double checked with competent health professionals.  Be safe.

It's best to talk to your doctor and or Endo and see what they recommend. Yes progestins can and do have a possible antriestrogonic affect but they are often part of the balance in HRT for females. Hugs
Mariah

As far as I know, all progestogens are anti-estrogenic. A few can also actually be estrogenic, interestingly enough.