What is "dienogest"

n. A semisynthetic steroidal progestogen, used as an oral contraceptive in combination with ethinylestradiol.

Dienogest ( INN, USAN, BAN, JAN) is a steroidal progestin of the 19-nortestosterone group. It is available in combination with estradiol valerate (as Natazia or Qlaira) or ethinyl estradiol (as Valette) for use as an oral contraceptive, and by itself (as Visanne) for the treatment of endometriosis in Europe. Although available in combination with estrogen as a contraceptive in the United States, dienogest is not available in this country by itself. In addition to its progestogenic effects, dienogest has antiandrogenic activity, and as a result can improve androgenic symptoms such as acne. It is a non-ethinylated progestin which is structurally related to testosterone.