Definition of levonorgestrel in English:
levonorgestrel
noun ˌliːvəʊnɔːˈdʒɛstr(ə)lˌlēvənôrˈjestrəl
mass nounBiochemistry A synthetic steroid hormone which has a similar effect to progesterone and is used in some contraceptive pills.
Example sentencesExamples
- Plan B uses a form of the synthetic hormone progestin, called levonorgestrel, to block ovulation and fertilization of the egg in a process similar to what happens with use of traditional birth control pills.
- Certain drugs such as corticosteroids, anti-epileptic medicines like phenytoin, and oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel or norethisterone, may aggravate acne.
- No studies have specifically compared mifepristone with levonorgestrel.
- We have Progestasert (a progesterone IUD), which is still available as well as the newer Mirena, which relies on the hormone levonorgestrel, a synthetic progesterone.
- It consists of the hormone levonorgestrel, a common ingredient in birth control pills.
Origin
1970s: from levo- (it being a laevorotatory isomer) + norgestrel, a synthetic steroid hormone.